After You Buy the Domain

[purple]

So I think I've finally picked a domain name that has the .com,.net, and .org available, but I am far from picking a host. Whats the best thing to do with the domains if I purchase them and haven't acquired hosting yet?

 

[Lesli]

That depends. (As does so much else in life.)

Do you have other domains active, anywhere? If so, consider parking the domains atop an existing site temporarily.

No other domains active anywhere? Then just leave them parked with the registrar, if the registrar will allow it. Just don't leave them parked there for too long - no sense in giving free advertising to the registrar, after all.

You might also just pick some really inexpensive host, get the cheapest account for a month, and park the domains on that account while you search for a permanent home. (This could also be a good way to do some preliminary research on a host - use the 30 days to test their support, explore their user documentation, check their uptime and speed, see if they're a good fit for you. If you have the domains pointing to a blank page for a month, that's a month where you're not trying to split your attention between testing the host and developing your site.)

 

[chatterbox]

Great suggestion

I really like the idea of testing the webhost for a month. I'm also in the process of choosing hosting so this method sounds perfect for me. Thank you for posting the suggestion.

 

[Lesli]

You're welcome!

 

[ldcdc]

use the 30 days to test their support

Asuming they do have a money back guarantee. No all hosts do.

Whats the best thing to do with the domains if I purchase them and haven't acquired hosting yet?

If you really want those domains, get them sooner rather than later. If Murphy's laws have any say in life, you could end up without them if you think too long before you act.

Once you get them, if you have any other sites, put a link or two pointing to the domain you plan to actively develop, and a welcome/under construction page on the site itself. You might be gaining some ground in Google's sandbox mechanism (assuming the mechanism actually exists of course).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_Effect

 

[purple]

Nope nothing active currently. These will be my very first domains ever. I have a generic static page constructed already as part of my web design business so thats not an issue as much as where to park them. Thanks for all the advice, I'll have to keep that in mind.

 

[Ash B]

Hi purple,

Something I recommend when looking for a host is make a list of what you need. The criteria may only be that you need to host three websites and require 500 mg of storage space. Start from there and then look for hosts that can provide that.

And yes, a host that provides a 30 day money back guarantee would be a good idea if you are just starting out.

 

[digit]

If you buy a domain without the hosting you can just leave them on your registrar and after you get your hosting point the nameservers to the hosting account.

Your host will tell you what nameservers to point the doman to and after your domain has been active for 60 days you can transfer the domain if you want

 

[bobchrist]

Whats the best thing to do with the domains?

I will create my main website on .com, a social site or a forum on .net, and a blog on .org relevant to my main site.

 

[XNL0]

Great to hear someone could still get .com,.net and .org altogether.

 

[Chris_13]

I think the idea of getting a temporary host or a trial period is a good idea. You get the names you want ahead of time and then go from there. Wait too long and they may not be available. I've had this happen and had to change the name some to get as close to what I wanted as possible. Good Luck.

Chris

 

[shaunapple]

Research a host carefully.

 

[webhostreviews]

I would suggest parking the domains with a parking company to generate an extra bit of side-revenue. Once you have done some research on good hosting providers, change the nameservers and so on to them and set up your own site. I wouldnt recommend a free host because of all the advertising they place on your site (but thats just me )

 

[datman001]

The domain name is seperate than your hosting. Unless you were looking to get a package deal with the domain name included. I would get the domain name now (incase someone else gets it later), use an inexpensive domain name registrar and then transfer it (of you want it on the same account) when the renewal is up and by then you should have choosen the domain.