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.

Neil_Jones

1) Domain names are relatively cheap,   You can host it yourself if you really want to, but probably better to pay for hosting.  Host names (the .co.uk/.com bit) are first come first served and technically speaking you're "renting" the address, though the blurb suggests you own it which is again technically true but think of it as like a flat or a house you rent from a landlord.  What happens if you stop paying?  You get kicked out.  Likewise if you stop paying for a domain it lapses and anybody else can buy it later and redirect it somewhere else, although you do pay for it up to a certain date so it won't stop working just because you took your card details off the registrar's control panel three days after you bought it.

2) No.  You can move it.

3) Depends on what website you want to make and for what purpose.  And budget.

flashg67

You can change who hosts the domain name - very easy to do online if needed, although I've found that the costs for a .co.uk is reasonable from most places after the first 'cheap' year anyway.
Be aware that if you use your host's own web builder software, you are unlikely to be able to move the site and the pages 'as is' if you move providers. Might be worth paying a web designer to avoid this problem

Pensioned_Off

I have another question please, some of the sites offer a 'domain proxy'... can someone explain in simple terms if I need that?  They say it's so that no one can get my personal details... should my website show the person who bought the domain name and the phone number used at registration?  They say it's essential for privacy reasons, but I get the feeling it is for naive people like me... do I buy it?  It may only be £6 a year, but I'm going to buy a 10 year package for the name and so have to buy a 10 year package for the proxy too (if I need it)... adding another £60 + VAT before I've even started.  Thanks  

Pensioned_Off

Neil_Jones said:

3) Depends on what website you want to make and for what purpose.  And budget.

Virtually no budget at all and only basic technical skills,... so need something intuitive and with tech support and SSL.
I am offering services mostly to private buyers so don't even know if I need an e-commerce package or just a standard business package.  I could always take enquiries via the website and then invoice via PayPal.  I really am completely out at sea with where to start.

Neil_Jones

Re: Domain Proxy, all that means is when you look up the details of the domain (a whois), it will come back with the people you registered it with.  That's all.  Doesn't affect the functionality.

Re: "virtually no budget at all", could do worse than a standard Wordpress template, but you would have to learn to how to use it.  You can always add things like e-commerce onto that if you find you need them.

Pensioned_Off

Neil_Jones said:

Re: Domain Proxy, all that means is when you look up the details of the domain (a whois), it will come back with the people you registered it with.  That's all.  Doesn't affect the functionality.

Re: "virtually no budget at all", could do worse than a standard Wordpress template, but you would have to learn to how to use it.  You can always add things like e-commerce onto that if you find you need them.

I understand what the Domain Proxy does... but want to know if I need to buy that service.  If I don't buy the proxy, I don't understand how GDPR allows for my name, address and phone number to be revealed to anyone that asks.  I wondering if that's a 'fear factor' selling technique they use to sell add-on services that people don't really need.

ivavoucher

Hi
easyhosting.co.uk offer a free SSL certificate will all hosting accounts.
They also offer the first year of hosting free when you register or transfer in a domain name.
So basically the cost for a whole year of hosting including domain name registration is just over £6  and after the first year hosting costs £32.67 per year.
They also offer Weebly unlimited pages web site builder free to all accounts + Installatron.

They use cPanel and you are free to move your domain name away at anytime.

Free website Hosting | 12 Months Free Hosting cPanel Wordpress (easyhosting.co.uk)

Neil_Jones

Pensioned_Off said:

Neil_Jones said:

Re: Domain Proxy, all that means is when you look up the details of the domain (a whois), it will come back with the people you registered it with.  That's all.  Doesn't affect the functionality.

I understand what the Domain Proxy does... but want to know if I need to buy that service.  If I don't buy the proxy, I don't understand how GDPR allows for my name, address and phone number to be revealed to anyone that asks.  I wondering if that's a 'fear factor' selling technique they use to sell add-on services that people don't really need.

You don't "need" to buy it, all it basically means is if somebody did a whois lookup on your domain it would reveal your details, which are passed to Nominet (in the case of a .uk domain) and used to set it up.  For a business it may be useful, for an individual probably not.  In fact it a free service if you are registering a .co.uk domain name as an individual rather than as a business.  If you are registering your domain name as an individual then you need to select the option ‘UK Individual’ or ‘Non UK Individual’. These are the only options which will allow you to set the Whois Privacy on.

php_geek

You can choose self-hosting but it's better to host from a reliable hosting provuier. You rent a storage space on a server for a year or two when you buy hosting. But you may buy your own dedicated server as well. 
You may always move your hosting to another registrar so no need to worry about that. 
You may choose a web hosting company according to your budget. You may compare different hosting companies' rates at hostingadvice.com .