Hi Experts, I will like to ask which is more advisable... Should I register a domain name from a different company than that of the webhosting? I have heard that sometimes companies might not allow you to switch webhosting if you buy the domain from them as well. Is this true? Thanx in advance... Also any recommendations for reliable and lowcost hostings?
I don't know if they would allow or not. As I have never experienced something like that. But yes register the domain names somewhere else and then buy a hosting package at somewhere else. For registration try some ICANN Accredited registrar. For hosting "reliable and lowcost hosting" - How much low cost? It depends on qulaity and the price. The balance must be right.
You can buy everything at the same place, no problem. If you have bought the domain the company cannot decide where you should host. That would be absurd. For hosting, look for a company that is at least two years old. Ask them how old they are.
You can buy domains & hosting at different companies. I've never heard that if you buy them together, you can't transfer out the domain. You should be able to transfer it to any other company you want
I have seen quite a few people have problems when registering domain names through their hosting company. It only really works well if you get a domain control panel and can modify the domain your self. If there is a manual process involved where the host has to do all this then steer clear of their domains. I am not saying all hosting companies are bad... but it makes life so much easier should you want to transer. I would recommend you have control of your own domains rather then the host. I have read stories of hosts registering domains in their name and then refusing to give them up. If they are right or wrong I do not know, but rather then the whole emailing back and forth for a few weeks it's best registering your own even if the host offers it for free. Youd only save a few dollars anyway.
And that, hopefully, is enough reason not to register your domain names with the same company hosting your website, more so if they're not a registrar.
They are two separate and totally different things and should be treated like that I agree with Dave and the others
Hi Guys, Thanks for all the expert advices. I will buy the domain and web host separately..then. Thanks again.
GoDaddy used to be great hosting but then it slowed down a lot (shared hosting anyway). I have been through over 20 hosting companies, and I am now (finally and completely) satisfied with buying domain names at godaddy, and hosting them on the swamp shared plan at hostgator. $14/mo. unlimited domains. LOTS of storage and bandwidth. cpanel backend (excellent), with awstats etc. email forwarding, and it's nice and fast ^.^ The trick is to go for NOT the cheaper plan lol, they put less vhosts on the $14/mo. servers. I have 16 domains registered at godaddy, 15 of which hosted on that one plan at hostgator, and I am truly happy with my setup.