If you purchased your Domain names yourself through an online registrar such as www.godaddy.com or www.123-reg.co.uk you'll be safe.
You may be at risk however if you let a third-party register your domains for you, such as your IT Consultant or Wed Design Company, or even in some cases your Employees. Most are honorable and respectable individuals and will use one of the aforementioned registrars to register your names and complete the process correctly by registering the domain names in your Name or that of the Company.
Unfortunately a growing number of individuals are turning to under-hand tactics by registering your domains in their name.
If this is the case, you don't actually own the Domain Name they do. As a result you could be held to ransom especially if your domains are highly publicised and form a core part of your marketing or even your business.
If you are unsure about any of your domain names, follow these simple steps:
How to manage the situation if your not the registered owner.
In the first instance, approach the individual/company who registered the domain and state something along the lines of "I have recently noticed the domain xyz.com hasn't been registered in my name. Could you please correct the mistake". Hopefully it may have been a genuine mistake and they will commence the transfer of the domain name to yourself.
If on the other hand the individual/company who registered the domain refuse to transfer your domain you will need to look at the contract or invoice drawn up for the purchase and any relevant terms & conditions the supplier has in relation to the purchase of the Domain Names. Should you not be able to find any suitable clause in any of the aforementioned you may need to look at legal action and at the very least look to source a new supplier or employee.
If you should find yourself in the above situation and would like some additional advice please contact us on 01226 698 556 and ask for Andy.
You may be at risk however if you let a third-party register your domains for you, such as your IT Consultant or Wed Design Company, or even in some cases your Employees. Most are honorable and respectable individuals and will use one of the aforementioned registrars to register your names and complete the process correctly by registering the domain names in your Name or that of the Company.
Unfortunately a growing number of individuals are turning to under-hand tactics by registering your domains in their name.
If this is the case, you don't actually own the Domain Name they do. As a result you could be held to ransom especially if your domains are highly publicised and form a core part of your marketing or even your business.
Imagine the scenario, you've invested heavily in producing your website, and promote your website and email address on all your business stationary, vehicles, and property. After a while a business decision is made to source an alternative company to manage your internet presence. If the domain name is not your name the original company can make it very difficult to change to a new supplier either by refusing to transfer your domain name or charging additional fees to release the domain name to you.
If you are unsure about any of your domain names, follow these simple steps:
- Visit www.123-reg.co.uk or another reputable registrar
- Enter your domain name in the search box and select search
- A list of similar domain should appear and click the 'Taken' link next to your domain
- A new window will appear showing you who is the registered owner of the domain (hopefully you)
How to manage the situation if your not the registered owner.
In the first instance, approach the individual/company who registered the domain and state something along the lines of "I have recently noticed the domain xyz.com hasn't been registered in my name. Could you please correct the mistake". Hopefully it may have been a genuine mistake and they will commence the transfer of the domain name to yourself.
If on the other hand the individual/company who registered the domain refuse to transfer your domain you will need to look at the contract or invoice drawn up for the purchase and any relevant terms & conditions the supplier has in relation to the purchase of the Domain Names. Should you not be able to find any suitable clause in any of the aforementioned you may need to look at legal action and at the very least look to source a new supplier or employee.
If you should find yourself in the above situation and would like some additional advice please contact us on 01226 698 556 and ask for Andy.
