Website domain registration question

1. 68

   Suspect20posted 14 years ago

   I signed up with a host and registered a web domain a couple months ago, but ended up canceling my subscription.  I was curious if that web domain is permanently active, or if I would have to create a new site if I decided to switch hosts in the future.  I would appreciate any information from those hubbers who know more about web hosting and domain registration.
   
   From my understanding older websites are more trusted and generally rank higher in google, so I am curious if the site I created is active and aging even if it is currently not hosted on any server.  Will I be able to use that site if I find a need for it in the future, regardless of what host I chose?  Or will I have to create a new site when I sign up for a host?
   
   Thanks for any information.

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2. 60

   E.R.Gileposted 14 years ago

   I think if you look into it you will find that the domain name is yours for as long as you paid for. Say one year or two years. And the website depends did you use a company template or did you have your web design. If the website was a company site template the website ended when you canceled the hosting. But you own the domain name for the time you paid for.

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3. 66

   PhilD41posted 14 years ago

   Well, there is a lot to this question.  I will see if I can simply answer the questions without getting into the technical aspects of it.
   
   First, domain names are generally register for 1,2 or 3 years.  Some may have options for longer.  Assuming your host didn't buy the name and simply give you access to it (i.e. you bought it) it will be yours for the period of the contract.  At that point someone else could buy it.
   
   If the domain is not hosted somewhere or parked at the registrar it will not "age."  There must be an IP link to it and a DNS entry for google and others to even know it exists.  If you go to your browser and type it in and get a 503 error it is the same as not having it.
   
   Again, assuming you bought the domain name, you can move it to any host you wish to.  Well, you should be able to.  I guess that might also depend on the fine print from the original host.  I tend to by my domains directly from the registrar (such as godaddy) and then shop for a host.
   
   Does this help any?  It is hard to get to the answers without also understanding how this whole crazy thing we call the internet works.

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4. 69

   JohnnyComeLatelyposted 14 years ago

   Yes, you still have the rights to the domain name, though if you registered through the hosting company it may be a hassle to get it switched over to a new host.  It's good practice to separate domain registration from hosting.
   
   Godaddy.com and namecheap.com are good choices for domain registration.

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5. 68

   Suspect20posted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the quick help.  I am pretty certain I paid for a year when I registered the domain.  I know there were two separate charges (one for the host and one for the domain registration).  So it sounds like I could use the domain with another host in the future, but it was only active for a month and will only have that age when I activate it in the future?
   
   I don't really have a clear use or need for the site at this time, but I am considering finding a cheap host for it just so it gets some age on it.  Then when I decide what to do with it I will have that working for me rather than starting from scratch.  Thanks again for the information, helped a lot.

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   1. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I've "parked" a couple of domains at Whypark. That way they get some age without costing me anything.  I wrote a Hub about it - I won't post a promotional link here but you'll find it from my profile.

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6. 68

   Suspect20posted 14 years ago

   thanks for the tip, I'll look for it in your profile.  I don't mind you linking in this thread or in a PM to me btw, if it is on topic and helpful.

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7. 68

   Suspect20posted 14 years ago

   This is something I had no idea existed and is perfect for my current situation.  I will promote it so you don't have to =p.  Hopefully others find it as useful as I do; thanks for sharing.
   
   http://hubpages.com/hub/Parked-domains

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8. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 14 years ago

   Thank you, Suspect20!
   
   BTW, add a bio to your profile page - and once you get your domain parked, include a link to it.

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