Domain Name Ownership

Your domain name is a part of your brand, your business identity on the worldwide web. Just because you have your domain hooked up to a website, does not mean that you are the legal owner. 

Not all companies that sell domain names (known as domain registrars) are the same. For instance, here at Pulse Media, we will purchase domains through our domain supplier on your behalf. We handle all your domain name management through our Client Portal. 

When we purchase your domain through our domain supplier, the details you have given us to authorise the purchase of your domain will verify your ownership as the Domain Registrant. Our system then notifies you with an email “Domain Registration Confirmation” to let you know your domain purchase was complete.

Things to watch out for when buying a domain name

1.        Hidden Fees-Don’t be fooled by some domain registrars/resellers that offer promotional pricing at an extremely low cost, but then hide lots of fees in the contract, lock you in and charge high renewal rates.

Pulse Media’s domain pricing is transparent, the registration price and annual renewal price will always be the same. Most domains in the .nz namespace are free transfers to our system. All our domain name pricing is in our Client Portal.

2.       Domain Management-Make sure the company you are purchasing your domain from provides access to manage your domain. Our client portal allows you to update your contact details, private nameservers and request your UDAI/EPP code so you can transfer your domain to another registrar. Our system communicates directly with our supplier.

3.       Secure your Domain-Our system allows you to registrar lock your domain so someone does not transfer it away. This is enabled by default, but if you want to transfer your domain name, you can easily unlock it in our client portal.

How to figure out if you own your domain name

For .nz domains you can do a simple search on the Domain Name Commission website to look up the WhoIs information–this will list the Domain Registrar, which in this case will be our Domain Supplier and your details as owner under Registrant, Administrator and Technical contacts.

For all other domains you can do a simple search on whois.org

If your name or entity is owned by you is the registered owner, then you have no worries. It is important to note that both the “Registrant” and “Administrator” fields are in your name, if both are listed.

I’ve discovered I don’t own my domain name!

If your current web host or the company you used to purchase your domain, does not provide you access to manage your domain yourself through their systems, this is a red flag. You need to have full management of your domain. 

 If the domain is in another person’s or company’s name, like your current web host, ask them to change it into your name and contact information IMMEDIATELY. A domain is a company asset, and you should own it.

Conclusion

Remember: only the person or company whose name is on the domain registration has control over that domain.

Your domain is one of your business’s most important assets. Ensure you are in control of it. If you are still not sure what to do? Talk to us, we’ll be happy to help.