How to choose where to buy and register....

flossy_splodge

Can one of you bods who know this stuff explain how I choose which ISP to buy my domain name from and whether they are good to register it. I seem to remember in the past some discussion about some sites that 'retain' rights to your domain name even iof you think you've bought it. Any help appreciated as I need to get moving on this. :j

colin79666

if you just need a domain (and have hosting elsewhere) then I'd recommend 123-reg.co.uk

flossy_splodge

Thanks 30111987, I just want to secure the domain name for name as I haven't yet sorted out hosting - mainly cos I haven't got the web site designed yet..:rotfl: But I don't want to risk losing my chosen domain name so wanted to be sure to get it from the right provider.:o

sco0ter

remember to use quidco if yu are going with 123-reg for some cash back

headcoat

I use 1and1.co.uk for my .co.uks and use moniker.com or bluerazor.com for coms, nets etc

darius_jedburgh

I happily recommend 123-reg.co.uk for their domain name registration services (I've got virtually all of my .uk domains currently managed there, and am progressively transferring others to them)

However, I'd advise against using their hosting services, which are rather 'underdeveloped' for the market place of today.

So yes, I'd reccomend them for .uk domains, but sort out your hosting from someone else and just adjust your domains nameservers at 123-reg to set them to who ever you are currently using for hosting.

wakandem

For buying domains I can recommend http://webhosting.lycos.co.uk/consumer/domain/
For cheap hosting https://www.3ix.com .

Whichever you go for make sure that domain is regestered to you and not through a hosting company, ie the hosting company owns the name and lets you use it, quite often happens with a 'free' domain with a hosting pack. Also if on the move alot it is good to have a hosting company that gives e-mail with smtp access.

isofa

Another vote for 123-reg here. I'd definitely use a company like this to register the domain, you can also move it to your ISP if you need to later, but often you can route the mail and web traffic for free using the domain company's control panels.