Escapes Guides

For our first proper post, we're asking this simple question.

"Who owns your domain name?"

Most of you will probably turn round and immediately say "I do."

But do you?

We don't want to frighten anyone, but your domain is something YOU should have control of.

This morning, we've checked out the websites of several small businesses (B&Bs and guest houses) that we follow on Twitter. And we got quite a nasty shock.

Out of the 10 sites checked, only one actually owns their domain.

So while a B&B might have a lovely website, with a URL that's the same as the business name - eg Very Nice B&B might use www.verynicebandb.co.uk - it's not their domain.

It's surprising but true, that the legal owner of a domain is the one who registers it, and this is very often not the same person or business who uses the domain. And if it ever came to court, the Very Nice B&B hasn't got a leg to stand on, as they are not recorded as the legal owner.

Although it doesn't happen often, if the person or business who registered your domain goes out of business, or becomes insolvent, your domain becomes part of their assets. You might also have a massive fall-out with the person who looks after your domain and website. They're quite within their rights to refuse to transfer it to someone else. You're left dangling over a barrel, perhaps having to pay a massive price to purchase the domain in your own name, or worse, you may lose it altogether.

In the very worst case scenario, it's not unheard of for unscrupulous owners to sell a domain - they're entitled to, as they are after all the legal owner. All of a sudden, there's something else appearing on "your" domain, and you're left high and dry with some very confused customers.

Still think you own your domain?

While it can be a nuisance to remember renew your domain, it's a very simple process and once it's in your name, so long as you do renew it, it's safe. You can also set it up to renew automatically. Do it, it's well worth it!