Anybody want to talk domain names/websites

[chasingpaper]

just started up ltd co and need a domain name and website. I have two options right?

1. buy a domain and then transfer over to a somebody like moonfruit OR buy the domain and get somebody to make me a website? But do I need to pay that person/company a monthly fee for 'webspace'?

1. just go to 123register/moonfruit buy the domain and make the website from there

obviously option 2 is easier but i'm worried that i'll be tied to them (and their future price hikes)

so have I got my options right? and what would you do/have done/how much do you pay etc really need to stop working out what I should do and just do it-have already wasted four weeks dithering!

I use mr site, for everything, easy peasy, mid range package, youcan do the domain name, website design and everything yourself and they remind you when it's up for renewal. I found it easier to have everything in the one place. A friend did option one and it was nightmare trying to tranfer, dorve her insane!

Thanks for replying carocaro funnily enough I have a voucher for mrsite somewhere so I will dig that out and have a look. Thing is, if you got unhappy with mrsite or thought you could get a cheaper price elsewhere how easy would it be to transfer the domain name and website? Would have have to start your website from scratch again?

I have my website with big commerce. Works for me, bought a domain name from 123 reg then started building my site with BC. They also give me the option to have a facebook shop app which directs all customers back to my website when they buy, it also auto uploads products to facebook when i load them on the shop. It also does all sorts of other cool stuff that i get DP to do :). The main control panel is easy to figure out though.

Ther customer service has been ok but never really had many problems if im honest, the only thing is you need to know a little bit about putting your site together initially but its not that difficult.

Good luck :)

thank you peachy bums :)

just had a look and it's probably a little more than I wanted to pay per month ($24.99 per month against £2.11 with mrsite!)

I think this is because as you say it deals with e-commerce whereas I am only offering professional services not selling

I use wordpress.com - nice free sites, lots of templates etc..

It doesn't matter who you register the domain name through, you can always move it, the url belongs to you.

You can transfer it from Mr Site the domian name if you feel the need, but not sure why you would, don't worry too much about the what if's just do!

I would definately recommend that you buy a domain from someone that specialises in domains - for a .uk domain 123-reg are probably the simplest option and it will cost you £6 for 2 years.

You can then use that domain to point to MrSite, wordpress.com or any other service you want, it takes about 2 minutes to change and costs nothing.

If you register your domain with MrSite you can only use it with a MrSite site . If you want to change to something -that works properly- a bit more professional you have to pay £15 to MrSite to move it and there is no guarantee of how long it takes.

my domains were bought years ago - cannot remember who from. I now renew them through 1and1 who also do my hosting through UKSB as reseller
I've moved hosts several times and have total control over the site (so long as I do not mangle Simon of UKSB's java)

I would never agree to being tied to one source
hence why I never did a free site through AOL years ago
and it looks SO bad if somebody else's name is in your domain

www.mysite.greedybigco.co.uk
or
www.mysite.co.uk