I'm about to buy my first web hosting package and need to register my domain name.

But I keep reading warnings about web hosting companies that register your name in such a way that you don't actually own it (during the time that you pay for), but instead-- they do. Is this completely wrong? Or should I beware?

Some hosts will do that (put themselves as the owner). Fortunately most don't.

You should ask the host what's their policy. Also, if the host gives a list of references/testimonials do a WHOIS look up on some of the name and see who's registered as the owner.

Two words: Be Careful.

A lot of unreputable hosts will make sure they are the owner of the domain then charge you to move the domain elsewhere when you move away from them.

Sometimes there is a good reason for the host listing themselves as the owner - like we do when we first register a domain (We register the domain straight away in our name, then run the CC payment - if it goes through then we change the owner info to that of the client).

I put the domains under the company name, same reason KDA does, but I don't find it a big deal, if someone is switching from me to another host I will just switch it into there name.

You can avoid all sorts of headaches by registering the domain yourself. Even if the host registers you as the owner, they may use a crappy registrar, such as Network Solutions (NSI).

Get them to provide the needed IP info, then search these boards for a recommended registrar.

I had tremendous problems transferring a domain that had been registered for me by a host with NSI. The host misspelled my e-mail address, and NSI requires e-mail validation.

The short of it was that I finally got the domain transferred to 000domains.com, on recommendation of some threads on this board, and life has been sweet since then.

Wish I had known all that in advance.

Bra: nvwillj's suggestion is an excellent one. As he said, just be sure to select a reputable registrar; besides 000domains.com, there's also Dotster.com (http://www.dotster.com) which is where I, and several others on this board, register their domain names. You get a user name and password so you can go in and make changes to your domain information whenever you wish--no need to worry about an unreputable host holding your domain name hostage.

I can vouch for 000domains.com as well, excellent service and support and a great price.

Regards,

Mike

I doubt many hosts on this board use NetSol as their domain registraar, I think I speak for most hosts when I say that they hate NetSol more than the average Joe.

Hey, I like 'average Joe' - what's yer beef with 'em?

Related to thread topic:
If the host includes a domain with one of their packages 'free', then I'd expect to have it listed in their name for a certain amount of time. Example, if you pay for 6 months, you get the domain free. While this can be good and bad, I'd recommend you register the domain yourself. $10-$15 more, but POMG.

Actually a host doesn't have to register the domain in their (the host's) name if they offer it for free. All they have to do is register the domain in the client's name (registar, admin) and tech, billing in the hoster's name. When the client leaves, just change the tech and billing contact. But as a host, I'd recommend them signing up for hosting before registering the name for them.
At least that's the way I've got mine set up.
Keith