A few questions for some real entrepreneurs!

[Young_Mogul86]

Ok, I have a few questions in which answers would let me move forward with my new ideas... I understand that in order to have a web-site, I would first need a Domain name, and a host... i see people on here advertising that they have 100's of domains, some people have 1000's..

1. What is the REAL way of getting a domain, must I get it from a place like GoDaddy with an annual fee?

2. How would someone sell a domain? Is it as simple as a password swap?

3. If i had an idea for a web-site, and their was a catchy domain available, who would I buy the name from If I knew my intention was to build the site hit ratings/advertisement slots, then sell the site.

4.Would I still be liable for hosting contracts etc..?

[ASJ]

I'll do my best to answer your questions, since they're a little intertwined.

To have a website, you need a domain and a host. The domain, once purchased will need have the domain's DNS pointed to the hosting server. You can get the information from your host.

When purchasing a domain that isn't owned by someone else, you would visit a company like GoDaddy.com. There are others, but the other popular ones are NetworkSolutions.com and Register.com. If you're not in the U.S. there are companies that specialize in domains for other countries. I recommend GoDaddy.com for any regular .com domains.

Normally, to sell a domain it is as easy as a domain transfer. The current owner will go to their Registrar(company where the registered the domain) and initiate the transfer. That will send the domain to the registrar of your choice. If you don't own any domains, you can go to GoDaddy and let them know you're wanting to have a domain transfered and they'll set up an account for you to transfer to.

If you had an idea for the site and the domain name is available (search on GoDaddy for availability) you can just purchase it. If it is owned by someone else, you can contact the owner and offer them money or find one that's for sale and they can transfer it to you after the sale.

You would only be liable for hosting when the domain / website is yours. After you sell it, the buyer will either take over the hosting account as well, or move the site to their own website host.

I hope this answers your questions. Some other members may have more to add. Good luck.

[HarveyJ]

I'd also point out to be careful about searching for domains/URLs if you're not going to buy them there and then.

There's a particular scam called Domain Kiting, where professional domain squatters have managed to start watching the requests that go into the WhoIs services provided by domain registration services (sometimes it's the company themselves, using a subsidiary).
They'll buy the domain themselves if you don't do it immediately... Then when you go back and it's suddenly gone (no matter how obscure the domain may have been in the first place), you'll end up having to pay through the nose for the domain that was going to cost you maybe $10 in the first place.

A friend of mine wanted to get Heroes.com (this was a few years ago, before the TV show was announced). Looked for it, it was there. Went to buy it the next day, it had been parked.
He contacted the owners at the time, and they said they'd sell it for $4,000US "to cover their costs" *suspicious jerking hand motion*

If he'd managed to have gotten it at the time, he'd have been able to sell it for a packet to the TV show I reckon.

[GuyBBY]

Ah I see what you're saying Harvey...don't go searching "I want this website.com" 5 times a day for a week because if you finally decide on it day 6, they may have seen your activity and jack up the price?

Very interesting, and helpful!

Best

G

[entrepresooner]

Couldn't you avoid the scam by typing the url directly into your browser and if it comes up not found then it isn't registered?

[happygolucky]

I actually sell domains. I buy top names from Godaddy and resell them for profit.


I would recommend Godaddy to anyone. They have awesome deals every month and there customer service is awesome.


If you buy a domain from an individual get them to do a print screen from there hosting site. Also get them to do a 3 way call with the hosting compnay to prove proof of ownership. Most of my clients are happy with a screen shot but a couple of times I have had to do a 3-way call with Godaddy.


As the other person said if you come across a domain today you like BUY it today. There has been at least two times I can remember finding a great name and not buying that moment and the next day it is gone. One of the domains ended up selling on Sedo Auction for $3,500 which almost made me cry.


So be smart about who you buy from and how fast you buy.