Why is it that it's recommended to have a seperate registrar than who hosts you?
I was going to go with HostGator for both (?)

Because one is supposed to register a domain with a REGISTRAR, and host a website with a HOST?
The truth is, you probably won't get any advantage using the same company. Any so-called discount you get (which AT MOST is that few dollars off for domain registration) is NOT worth the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket.

nameslave, I ask because I'm brand new to all of this.
What are the actual disadvantages of doing both w/one?
I currently have 2 domains thru freewebs, but don't like their service (lack of!), and want to move to a more professional look to my site.

The main fear is that if there is a billing dispute over the domain name or the hosting then the registrar/host could hold both hostage.

In fact, most hosts register their domains through a registrar so the first comment is not exactly pertinent.
The truth is, it depends on the host. If the host is honest and truly offering a value-added service and convenience, they will offer domain registration and give ALL rights to the domain owner and not the hosting company.
However, many hosts will register the domain either under the hosting company or partially under the hosting company so they can hold the domain "hostage." Or, if the hosting company goes out of business and the domain is locked under the companies control, it is very difficult to get it back.
When we register a domain for a client as a convenience and a value-added service, all of the contact info registered with the domain is the customers. This means they have complete control and can transfer it away from the registrar that we use at any time (after the mandatory waiting period). This is even true for free domains that we give our clients with larger packages.
Our customers ALWAYS have complete control over their domains and if they choose to move a free domain away from our registrar, they may do so, but are then responsible for any fees associated with the transfer and renewal.
We mainly do this for the convenience of our customers, but also for our less tech savvy customers, we have access to the domain to make changes as necessary when they don't have the skill set to do so themselves.
I would hope that most of the hosts doing domain registration for their clients are doing so like we do, but unfortunately, that's not the case. You can search WHT for many instances where the host has held the domain hostage for various reasons and this is the main reason why the current thought is to not host domain and site with the same company.

what questions can or should I ask to make sure I would have complete control over my Domain name?
Is hostgator considered honest?

I have no experience with hostgator.
I would ask if I have complete control over the domain and if all contact information is my own or is any of it the hosting company's. You might also read their TOS regarding domain registration to see if there are any hints in there.

I just contacted hostgator.....this was their reply....
(11:01:51 PM) Johnathan Sa: You have complete control it is your domain.
(11:02:19 PM) don: as well as all contact info?
(11:03:04 PM) Johnathan Sa: All whois information contact and other wise you have control over
(11:03:15 PM) don: thank you~

It looks okay, but I didn't see anything in their TOS regarding domains at all. I do notice that when you go to register a domain, it redirects you to an enom reseller.
They also charge $15/year for a domain. You can find cheaper domains at reputable domain registrars like name.com and namecheap.com. Name sells them for 8.99/year and namecheap sells them for 9.69/year.
You may want to go with them, just to save money. :)

If Hostgator wack you with a bill for hosting which you refuse to pay, then ask them if you can transfer your domain away. In my experiences with them they are pretty aggressive at collecting their debts. It's always better to keep the domain and registration separate, just to be on the safe side. I'm not saying Hostgator are dishonest in any way.

texasbound, just search a little bit through this forum, you will find so many stories of problems when the domain and hosting was provided by the same company.
in 99.9% of all cases it's not a problem. but do you really want to risk to be in this 0.1% and then risk to loose your domain, spend much time or money if it's that easy to have those two services from two different companies?

In fact, most hosts register their domains through a registrar so the first comment is not exactly pertinent.
Most? As if there are hosts that register their domains NOT through a registrar? :confused:

Most? As if there are hosts that register their domains NOT through a registrar? :confused:
Some hosts are registrars as well :D

Some hosts are registrars as well :D
Yes, and they register domains through their own registrars.

Why is it that it's recommended to have a seperate registrar than who hosts you?
I was going to go with HostGator for both (?)
REGISTERING BOTH IN SAME COMPANY IS GOOD IDEA. Hosting and changin name servers all will be fast . Any configuration will effect within minitues.
Everybody looking for the best, in the cases of linux hosting hostgator is best, and for registering domain godaddy,enom and name.com are the best.

Most? As if there are hosts that register their domains NOT through a registrar? :confused:
There are some hosts that ARE registrars, like namecheap, godaddy, etc. In those examples the hosting company and the registrar ARE one in the same. That's what I meant.

You should be fine if you register your domain with your host, only the shady ones will hold it hostage unfairly and in most cases contacting the actual registrar (enom,directi,opensrs etc)and explaining the situation will often get you your domain back anyway.

REGISTERING BOTH IN SAME COMPANY IS GOOD IDEA. Hosting and changin name servers all will be fast . Any configuration will effect within minitues.
As a matter of FACT, using the same company for both domain registration and web hosting will NOT in any way make "Hosting and changin name servers" faster. By the way, ever since September 2004 (yes, 2004), all DNS updates for .com and .net are done in less than 5 minutes, REGARDLESS of which registrar you use.

There are some hosts that ARE registrars, like namecheap, godaddy, etc. In those examples the hosting company and the registrar ARE one in the same. That's what I meant.
GoDaddy is actually more a domain registrar which ALSO provides web hosting than the other way round (althought they started off as a software company).
Anyway, how is it not relevant to register a domain with a registrar and host a website with a host because "most hosts register their domains through a registrar"??

I was making a point that even if you register your domain via the web host, it's going through a registrar, it's not like the host is actually registering the domain via ICANN itself. So even if a person registers a domain via the host, they are in fact getting their domain from a registrar and their hosting from a host.
It is true that some of the dual registrar/hosts have their emphasis in either hosting or domains, but offer add-ons for the other, but generally with those types of hosts/registrars, they do one thing well and the other not so well. In the case of godaddy and others, their hosting is not top-rated as they are emphasizing their domain business.
However, with most quality hosts, the emphasis is on the hosting side of the business and if they allow you to register domains through them, they are passing on the responsibilities to the actual registrar they are partnered with. Because they are a partner and not in both businesses as the same time, they generally can offer better service and allow for the convenience of a one-stop shop.
Most hosts do not make a profit from domain registrations. They offer it as a value-added service.

For me it is better to have domain names and hosting separately! In the case you decide to switch to another hosting provider you will have less problems!

REGISTERING BOTH IN SAME COMPANY IS GOOD IDEA. Hosting and changin name servers all will be fast . Any configuration will effect within minitues.
Changing nameservers has nothing to do with the host. When you change the nameservers for a domain it needs time to propogate throughout the world (a few minutes). At your ISP end, the DNS records are cached for a certain a amount of time (usually 3 hours) and will only be considered into effect if anyone opened the website before you through the same ISP as yours.

I would personally keep the registrar and web host separate. For registration services, I use Go Daddy and name.com for my personal domains -- I recommend Go Daddy for less experienced users (easier to use).
-mike

I wouldn't say godaddy is easier to use. It seems more complicated. I only have a few domains left there and they've recently redone their site and it just seems cumbersome to others I have used.

As long as the Host lists you as the Registrant, Primary & perhaps Admin Contact when they register/renew the domain you should be fine. We generally list ourselves as admin & tech so we can more easily manage the domain for the customer. However we make it clear that we register domains on the customer’s behalf so they own the domain and can do whatever they want with them, which includes transferring away from us for any reason. I personally think it is easier to have one company handle all of your needs but it is a preference thing so if you are at all concerned then you should register/renew your domains through a separate company.