Who owns your website name?

If you don’t know, you should find out.

There are still some smart business owners who don’t own their web site name. What does this mean to you? Well, if you aren’t the Registrant (person who registered your web site name), then your web site may be at risk.

Sometimes because of convenience the web developer or your network technician will register your domain name (URL). This creates potential for misuse or “hijacking”. If you have a disagreement with your web developer or your web host it might be difficult to get them to transfer ownership.

It’s like driving a car for your business use- you chose the color, it’s got your logo, and branding all over it. The public sees it and recognizes the car, but it’s not yours. The (registrant) owner could change the locks or they could leave it stranded in a parking lot at a strip club.

It’s illegal for the web owner to impact your business by shutting down your web site, but you’ll have to take it to court.

How can you find out?
The easiest way is to get your information from GoDaddy.com.

At the bottom of the page is a link to Whois site with all the information you need.

At the next window enter your site URL.
Enter the access code on the right side of the page.
Look for the Registrant information.

If it’s not you or your company then you should contact the registrant and have that updated.

After they transfer the registration (it’s not a difficult process) you can add the information for your technician or your web developer (see administrative and technical contacts).

This way, they still can manage your site, but now you own it.