Noob quesion regards domain name and hosting

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 10:04

I am wanting to setup my own website for my photography. I have seen a CMS service where a domain name comes as part of the package. I have contacted the company and they have suggested they own the domain name but after a year would happily sell it to me 'at cost'. I am a bit cautious about this as I would like full ownership of my domain. If for any reason I was not happy with their service I would be stuck. So, they also can offer the service with me providing the domain name, which I think is the best option. If I buy my own domain from another company, I then have to transfer it to these guys. What happens if I am unhappy with their service? Do I still own the domain? Would I be reliant on them 'releasing' something to me in order to move the domain? What is needed to move a domain name around (what will the company I buy the domain name give me that I will pass on)? I bought a domain years ago which has now expired and recall getting a nominet certificate proving I am the owner (cannot remember what its called) - is this still the same?

Have people been caught out by hosting companies not giving domains back? Perhaps I am being a bit overly cautious.

Thanks

Azza · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:02

Who is the company? What are they proposing exactly? They will make the website for you? Or are just offering you a CMS for you to make the website with.

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:14

Azza said:
Who is the company? What are they proposing exactly? They will make the website for you? Or are just offering you a CMS for you to make the website with.

The company (ohfolio.com) offer an online CMS interface which would allows me to customise a simple Flash based website.

Tripnologist · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:18

Notice how the majority of their own site isn't flash?

If you really want to use them, just tell them you want the domain registered in your name. Failing that, tell them you'll register it yourself elsewhere.

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:27

Tripnologist said:
Notice how the majority of their own site isn't flash?

If you really want to use them, just tell them you want the domain registered in your name. Failing that, tell them you'll register it yourself elsewhere.

Whats the biggie with using Flash? I was looking at using this http://www.ohfolio.com/samples/6/ which would be perfect for my needs. It loads pretty quickly on both my work pc and home pc.

GravyMonster · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:39

Long story short, if you'd like your site to be findable in Google don't use flash as it is completely SEO unfriendly.

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 11:42

Spunkey said:
Long story short, if you'd like your site to be findable in Google don't use flash as it is completely SEO unfriendly.

A friend of mine has a site through these guys and is the first entry on the list when searching from google.com. To be honest; I am not too fussed about search engine searchability.

Some advice with regards to my uncertainty around domain name would be appreciated. Thanks

Tripnologist · 8 Dec 2009 at 12:00

martinturner said:
If I buy my own domain from another company, I then have to transfer it to these guys.

No, you would simply keep the domain with your registrar and then put in your hosts name servers. Your host doesn't need to have anything to do with your domain name.

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 12:02

Tripnologist said:
No, you would simply keep the domain with your registrar and then point the name servers to your host. Your host doesn't need to have anything to do with your domain name.

Excellent; makes perfect sense.

Thanks everyone for your help.

martinturner · 8 Dec 2009 at 12:03

Oh, one last question. Is it a much of a muchness as far as where to buy a domain from? I was looking at 123reg?

Tripnologist · 8 Dec 2009 at 12:05

Doesn't really matter. I'd stick with a well known company personally. 123reg is well known.