| I have to take a break from my website design | | | | happens because you may have reimbursed |
| project to write a bit about the purchase of domain | | | | someone for the domain name but , you NEVER |
| names. I've said it before and have to mention this | | | | owned it. Why? Because you never received a |
| again - Hiring a friend, neighbor, student, or any other | | | | formal domain name transfer. You didn't even know |
| person who is not a professional website designer or | | | | you needed it. Why? Because you TRUSTED the |
| a company who is licensed to provide these services | | | | person you were dealing with to do the right thing. |
| (preferably one that is local to you and one that | | | | Now, that same person demands money, lots of |
| comes with at least 3 good references) is a NO-NO. | | | | money to release the name to you. You're launching |
| As well, do not allow anyone, EVER to purchase a | | | | your site's shopping cart and you are at an "All |
| domain name for you if at all possible for this could | | | | systems go" for filling orders, shipping, etc. You're |
| turn into a costly mistake. | | | | website's been live with a notice of when orders can |
| Why? Take my word for it, allowing someone to | | | | be placed. The problem? You have to pay this |
| purchase your name for you is a nightmare waiting | | | | scammer because you cannot obtain relief or take |
| to happen, especially if you are unfamiliar with the | | | | recourse in the time frame allotted you. You have to |
| guidelines and procedures of purchasing or | | | | be up and running and this person scamming you |
| transferring domain names. If you want to purchase | | | | knows it. |
| a domain name, log on to or and use your own credit | | | | This is an actual client's nightmare. Bay Area Graphics |
| card and purchase it directly. If you need help, call | | | | & Marketing often takes on clients with existing |
| their customer service representatives to walk you | | | | websites that are in need of a re-design and/or |
| through it. All you will need if you will be hosting your | | | | better hosting or e-commerce solutions. Yes, we |
| website with another company is their name-servers | | | | have been hosting, designing and marketing websites |
| ( usually an NS1 and NS2 prefix with company name | | | | for businesses in the Tampa Bay area since 2001. We |
| following.) If you do not have this information, don't | | | | have heard every imaginable horror story from clients |
| worry too much. Name-servers can be changed at | | | | who, in an attempt to save money by using |
| any time and in the meantime your domain will be | | | | someone other than a reputable website designer, |
| "parked" where you have purchased the domain | | | | have only lost time and money--not to mention basic |
| name, until you decide on a hosting company. | | | | trust for ANY designer or website design firm! Most |
| Here is a scenario to think about and one that | | | | always, they come to us with a story of how they |
| recently took place. | | | | had lost thousands of dollars on a website that was |
| You've allowed someone else to purchase the | | | | either unfinished or non- functioning. Other stories |
| domain name for you using their credit card. You | | | | about not being able to make basic changes to their |
| reimburse them for the amount which should not | | | | websites without being charged an arm and a leg are |
| cost you anymore than what they have actually paid | | | | also common. But today, it was the "I just found out |
| the domain listing company for the domain name that | | | | I don't own my domain name story." |
| YOU chose. You decide to allow this person to build | | | | If you think you have been a victim of this type of |
| your website as well but as time passes, you realize | | | | foul play, you can obtain more information, file a |
| that they were not capable of providing you with the | | | | complaint or dispute the transfer of a domain name |
| expertise required to run your growing on-line | | | | by visiting http:/internic.net as well as If you're just |
| business. You cut your losses (or so you think) pay | | | | starting out with an on-line business call us and we |
| them for their work and find another web designer | | | | can walk you through the process of obtaining your |
| and hosting company. You get a great website, great | | | | domain name safely and on your own. It's not difficult |
| hosting and e-commerce solutions, everything is | | | | to do, don't be afraid, we promise that you'll be a |
| great. You're ready to launch here and abroad. | | | | "pro" at purchasing domain names the right way by |
| Suddenly days prior to opening your on-line store, the | | | | the time you're done! |
| disgruntled designer changes the domain | | | | Familiarizing yourself with the laws governing the |
| name-servers and your website is no longer | | | | purchase of domain names as well as some of the |
| accessible. You have been disconnected. You don't | | | | more well known "scams" shouldn't be an |
| know what's going on. Your new hosting company | | | | afterthought. Doing business with a disreputable |
| does a "who is" and looks at your underlying | | | | company can certainly end up costing you thousands |
| information. Changes recently were made but not by | | | | of dollars and it may end up costing you your |
| you and not by them. How could that happen? It | | | | website. |