For those who have not come across “WhoIs” before, it is the central database which shows who owns each website on the internet, and offers some basic details so that you may contact them or their service provider. While you would think that the details on “WhoIs” would be changed automatically when you buy a domain name, this is not always the case.

There are many offers which have become very popular on the internet, one of which is “Host with us and we will give you a free domain” - great, I pay for the hosting and they give me a free domain for a year, 2 years, etc. What have I got to lose?

Unfortunately these offers are not always as straight forward as they look, as very often the host will register the domain in their name with “WhoIs”, so that they can “look after it” for you. In this instance you will have full access to the domain for the agreed period, and your hosting will run as normal. However, if :-

· The domain registration period ends OR
· Your move host

you may well get a surprise.

This is when you will find out that the domain is not yours, it is actually held by the original hosting company and you have just built your business around it. Surely you can just buy back the domain when the name expires?

Well you would think so but you may well find that the host have already done that, and they will forward you an excessive invoice for you to renew the domain in your name - effectively transfer true ownership.

So you are in the position that you have spent 2 years (or whatever it may be) building your business around a “free” domain name. You are now effectively been held to ransom, and can only buy the name at well above the going rate. What do you do? Start again under a different domain, or pay the “ransom” to buy it from your original host?

Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch!