Domain names and web hosting

Pensioned_Off

Rookie questions re setting up a website.
The .co.uk name I'm interested in is available (according to a GoDaddy search).
I am shockingly bad with tech... and have pretty empty pockets so can't employ a contractor to set up a site for me.
1. How do I buy a domain name without signing my life away? If I buy the domain from GoDaddy or Wix, do I own it or rent it? How can I stop them from holding me to ransom in the future?
Is there a way to secure the domain name permanently?
2. If I buy a domain name from GoDaddy or Wix, does that mean that I can't move it elsewhere? I've heard they are reluctant to let customers go.
3. For a tech novice, which web builder/host company would you recommend... for someone with a very small budget.

Savvy_Sue

Can't help much with the technicalities, but DH and where I work get domain names from 123-reg.co.uk

You can pay for 1, 3 or 5 years up front IIRC, they send reminders in good time about renewal, I've never felt held to ransom (and at work we auto-renew because losing the domain name would be fairly disastrous ...)

You don't, as I understand it, ever hold the domain name permanently. And you might want to buy more than one: we have both .org.uk and .co.uk at work, and autoforward everything from one to the other, don't ask me how. 

Our websites are hosted elsewhere (ie not by 123-reg) but again, don't ask me how. 

rach_k

As I understand it, Nominet is the registry for .uk domain names.  When you purchase a domain from somewhere else, they are normally just arranging it on your behalf with Nominet.  It is only renting, but there are strict rules about taking over somebody else's domain.  When your domain is due to expire, you and only you can renew it.  Even when you don't renew it, there is a still a period of time when nobody else can buy it but you can.  They give you LOTS of notice and chances to renew.  Within your online account, there is often an option to lock the domain, so they know you definitely don't want to move it elsewhere.  

If using a website that gives more of a full service e.g. hosting your website too, you probably need to check the T&Cs to double check whether they or you own the domain - there may be some where they are providing a full service where they own it, but I think they are probably in the minority.  If you did want to use a service like that, you could still purchase your domain elsewhere and then just point the traffic to the website.

Transferring from one company to another is simple.  Sometimes, the company will make you ring up to do it or jump through a few administrative hoops, but if you can't face that, you can go direct to Nominet and change it there.  If your current registrar increases prices or you want a different level of service, you can just move elsewhere.  

MobileSaver

Pensioned_Off said:

1. How do I buy a domain name without signing my life away? If I buy the domain from GoDaddy or Wix, do I own it or rent it? How can I stop them from holding me to ransom in the future?
Is there a way to secure the domain name permanently?
2. If I buy a domain name from GoDaddy or Wix, does that mean that I can't move it elsewhere? I've heard they are reluctant to let customers go.

The other posters are pretty much spot on but I'll answer your questions anyway to fill in a few blanks.

No-one ever "owns" a domain name, you just have the right to use the domain for a fixed period of time of between one and ten years and at any time before (and up to 92 days after) the expiry of the domain you can renew it for up to another ten years. So, although you never really own it, it is yours to use forever (and use includes "selling" it to someone else) as long as you keep renewing it.

All .co.uk domain names are controlled by a company called Nominet. You can register domains directly with Nominet but (as Nominet charge £80 + VAT for the domain and £40 + VAT per year to renew) almost everyone registers domains through third parties called Registrars who typically charge around £10 + VAT for the domain and then £10 + VAT per year to renew.

As long as your Registrar is on the official Nominet list then you won't be held to ransom and can transfer your domain to another Registrar either for free or for a nominal amount; in the worst case scenario such as your existing Registrar goes out of business you can even just log in to the Nominet site directly and pay £10 + VAT to manually transfer the domain yourself.

Percy1983

People have got it right on the above, domain registrars are fine and never heard anybody having issues.

The general advice is get you domain and host in 2 separate places, just so if the relationship with the host broke down they can't hold your domain.

As for builders, I personally use wordpress and have heard good things about wix.

I am happy you set you up with a wordpress install on my host if you want to try it (I offer this as its how I got started with somebody else helping me).

Selinda

I bought a domain and hosting a few days ago. Not sure I would use Go daddy as they were not great when my partner had issues with his hosting. 

I used hostinger which cost about £90 for 3 years including domain and (wordpress specific) hosting.
Building a wordpress site is not that complicated once you get the hang of it - obviously using a ready made template helps... There are plenty of free ones online.

If you really want to make things easier then Wix or Shopify are the way to go but they charge monthly fees whereas your own hosting is a one off payment for 3 years or whatever...