So I'm trying to buy a domain at namecheap, but I'm getting confused by the terminology.

Does "register domain" = buy domain?

On the Namecheap site, there's a link called "register domain" but on the faq database, it says

NameCheap and RegisterFly both accept paypal but are both enom resellers, not registrars.

...?

I'm also curious what 'enom' means (is it a company name or a process name?) but I figured I should ask about registrars first and worry about enom when I need to resell.

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I'm also wondering about the nameservers. Can you change that later?
Because I need a domain name to buy a host (I think), and now, I need a host to buy a domain....
Which comes first?

Moved from tutorials

you may find some tips here http://www.webdeveloper.com/management/manage_buying_domains.html, search this forum, there was plenty of information on domain names purchasing.

bear: sorry for posting in the wrong board.

HHIC: I looked at the site, but unfortunately the page named "Glossary of Registration-related Terms" which would have been REALLY helpful, is missing...

I did some searching on this forum and also on google, and the more I search, the more confusing it gets.

-so I'm pretty sure register=buy domain name now...
-I still have trouble filling up the nameserver info when I buy my domain though. Right now, I have a website on a free hosting, but I want to move it to paid hosting. Should I buy the hosting plan first, and move my stuff there, and then buy the domain? Or can I use the nameservers for the free host for now, and change it later?
-is DNS the same thing as nameserver? if so, then what's the 'D'?

Technically you can't own a domain, but for they layman, yes "register" = "buy".

NameCheap are a reseller of the registrar, eNom.

Buy the domain first and use the registrar's DNS servers. Then get your hosting and change the DNS servers of your domain to those which your web host provides you to access your website.

stu2: thank you. so then...now, on the hosting side, when they ask for a domain name and says "if you already have a registered domain, select 'transfer existing domain'"... so tell me if I got this right:

when I register my domain through namecheap, my "site" is by default, hosted by namecheap. That's why I use their DNS.

Then when I go buy my hosting plan, I tell this new host that I want my domain to be hosted on their site--"transfer existing domain". Then, when people type in the url, they get directed to the host associated with my domain, which will be the host that hosts my website content.

if that's the case, then what's the point of URL forwarding? If I transfer my domain to my web host, the domain won't have anything to do with Namecheap anymore..?

I'm just trying to understand the whole domain/webhost system. I want to know exactly what I'm paying for.

You never want to transfer your domain registration to your webhost. Period. If your webhost is asking you to transfer the domain registration to them, go find another webhost. Period. Your webhost should be providing you with either an ip address or a server address where you should be pointing your domain to by changing the registrar's default servers (at the registrar) to the one's the webhost provides to you, to enable their webhosting services.

wait, so is "transfer domain registration" different from "transfer existing domain"?

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I looked at other webhosts, and it seems they have three options:
1. Register a new domain name
2. Transfer or Renew my existing domain name
3. I will use my already registered domain and change the nameservers

but for the host I want to use, it gives these three options:
1. free subdomain
2. transfer existing domain
3. new domain registration

obviously I could only choose option 2 for the host I want to use...but is that option "dangerous"?

obviously you want #3 in the first list. You should ask your webhost to provide you with the address to point your domain at in order to use their webhosting services for your domain. If they cannot provide that and continue to insist you transfer your domain registration to them. Go find another webhost.

okay, I guess so...

I did a search on the host I wanted to use, to try and see what other people did in my situation..and I guess no one uses this host because it's so bad, haha.

*just for the record, the host I wanted to use was HostIgnition. The alternate host I brought up for comparison was Netrillium, which is the host my friend uses. Guess I'll be doing business with Netrillium now...

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By the way, this gets off the track a bit but I figured I'll keep all my questions in the same place--

Netrillium currently has a one-year free domain name registration. I'm thinking of buying a second domain (I already bought a .net, but I'm thinking of also buying the .org with this free offer). If I was to buy it, can I cancel it after a year? How do people usually go about "canceling" their domain names?

The one thing that many newbies (and even many not-so-newbies) don't seem to realise is that registration and hosting are two entirely separate things.

There are companies that offer both together, as a package, but that's just the same as a travel company offering a flight and hotel as a package. You can book flights and hotels separately. You can (and should) make separate arrangements for registration and hosting. In other words, don't have your registrar (or reseller) host your domain, don't have your hosting company take care of your registration.

Some hosting companies will claim that they can't host your domain unless you refer it to their reseller account with their registrar. It's not a case of "can't", it's just a case of "won't". Steer clear of hosting companies that insist of having control of your domains.

okay, so I really should stay away from HostIgnition, since they only give me the option of purchasing from them, or to transfer the domain to them, right?

Now, then... on the other hand, if I was to cancel the domain (that I got from a free offer from Netrillium), do I just ignore it and not pay after the 1-year contract is up? Or will they still bother me and I'll have to go through some tedious process?

You should read my signature.

Now, then... on the other hand, if I was to cancel the domain (that I got from a free offer from Netrillium), do I just ignore it and not pay after the 1-year contract is up? Or will they still bother me and I'll have to go through some tedious process?

The answer to that question lies on the fine prints of the provider you choose. Do
take time to read and understand, ask them specific questions if need be.

Some providers will ask you contact them 1 week or so before the renewal date to
explicitly request cancellation. Otherwise, they'll assume you still need the services
and will autorenew by then, even if you "didn't give them your consent".

Reading their legal fine prints will help you understand what your rights are. Know
what they are, before a judge reads it for you. (knock on wood...)

So I'm trying to buy a domain at namecheap, but I'm getting confused by the terminology.

Does "register domain" = buy domain?

On the Namecheap site, there's a link called "register domain" but on the faq database, it says

NameCheap and RegisterFly both accept paypal but are both enom resellers, not registrars.

..

I'm also wondering about the nameservers. Can you change that later?
Because I need a domain name to buy a host (I think), and now, I need a host to buy a domain....
Which comes first?


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