Do I actually own my domain name?

Probably the question should have been, Can I sell my domain name? But I am not sure if I own it or not.

It was registered by hostmonster, as part of my hosting package so do I own it or do they?

My name is on the whois but so is theirs?

Confused

 

As I know, it's yours. And you can sell if you wish.

 

If the domain was included in your package, then most likely you would be the owner of the domain. What I suggest you do is:

A: Check the Terms & Conditions of HostMonster, looking for the part where it describes them offering domain names. It will most likely say "You are the owner" or "They are the owner" in more or less words.
B: Contact HostMonster, ask them about it personally. They will tell you straight up yes or no.

However if you purchased it through a package, it could be either way...I wouldn't see how you wouldn't be the owner. Is this offer still available? Could you link us to it?

More details is always good!

- A

 

If you are the owner, you should try to move it away from any hosting service and keep it with a seperate domain registrar. I'm not saying they will but hosting companies have been known to keep their clients hostage by not releasing their domains. They also have the option of charging you extortionate renewal fees if they want to keep the domain for themselves. I recommend moving it out as soon as possible to either Domainsite, Namecheap or Godaddy.

 

I really don't see a reason to moving a domain anywhere.
I guess user is a owner but he is not sure. He can simply check within his hosting company. Btw.. GD

 

Which contacts are filled with your details and which with theirs?

 

just create a support ticket to hostmonster

 

Ever hear the saying, 'don't shit where you eat?" I use that when I see people who have their hosting and domain at the same place. It is a disaster waiting to happen. I have written about Domain Registration on my SEO blog and I always tell people to avoid lumping the two together.

If you face any problems with your host and they suspend your account, you lose access to both the domain and the host account. Your site will be finished. I have seen it happen more than once to people and they have no recourse.

 

From the legal point of view, none of us is an "owner" of any domain name. We are juts "holders". Unfortunatelly.

 

yes always host your domains somewhere besides your regular hosting provider.

 

Exactly! A better way to put it is that we "rent" our domains.

-=Chipmunk=-

 

Get the domain username and password information if you own it. I would suggest you to transfer it somewhere before you sell it as they might have terms of not selling the domain or anything whatsoever unless you are not totally sure.

Then sell it after transferring it to a good domain selling website like namecheap, godaddy etc..

 

What I have done whenever I get a domain name as part of a hosting package is to move (transfer) the domain to another register ASAP. like godaddy or namecheap or 1and1. Complications could arise when you drop the hosting, also the yearly renewal fees are usually really expensive as well.

 

Yes. More pregnant, Chipmunk : )

 

If you register a domain name, you own it.
well enough to sell it anyway

 

you own the domain dude.
take a look back at the email you receive during the purchased.
there's info about where to manage your domain name.

yea, i quite agree that we should hosting the domain name at other place.
but it is your choice.

 

Yes, And GD is first place where something like that can happen. BTW, why they should block or close your domain/site?

 

Hi I have purchase a domain with hosting too and now will just domain to sell.
Contact my hosting and ask if I can the registered domain sell. Have become a answer with instructions too how to do it.