Eclipse Internet Blog

I’ve registered quite a few domain names in my time, with different companies and with different ‘special’ offers. But when it comes to actively using a domain for email and web space for business you need to ensure that your service is without downtime, rather than just registering with the cheapest provider.
The best way to help you achieve a higher uptime for your website, email and domain is to keep everything with your Internet Service Provider, especially one which has UK based technical support. I’ll explain;
You see, there are many parties involved when purchasing and using a domain. Consider, there is the Registry that holds the records for the domain. Then there is the company you bought the domain name from. Then there is the provider of the Domain Name Servers (DNS). With terminology such as A records, CNAMEs, MX records, TTLs, the DNS can be complicated. The DNS directs traffic to your Web Server and your emails to your Email Server.
I used to go for the cheapest provider for domains, use some free webspace from my ISP and direct emails to some free webmail account. This is fine for unimportant personal sites, but when it comes to providing a site that you want to be available, you can tie yourself in knots trying to identify why your emails are not coming through, or your website is unavailable.
The easiest way to have less headaches and reduce the chances of downtime, is taking all these services from your Internet Service Provider. Keeping everything under one roof is far simpler. You only have one supplier to speak to if things go wrong.
Avoid the pitfalls and consider these tips.
- Don’t go for the cheapest domain. Consider the total cost for hosting and email as ‘free’ domains often turn out to be more expensive when you add the hosting and email options you need.
- Avoid non-UK hosted providers, if your target audience is in the UK. Not only does your email have to travel internationally, you may find that the technical support is only available in a different time zone. Losing all your email for hours because ‘the US are still in bed’ could cost your business far more than the few pounds you saved (and increase your grey hairs).
- Buy more than one domain. You may own the .com but what about the.co.uk domain. A .co.uk will typically perform better when using google.co.uk search results to optimise your website. Also you do not want your competitors to register a similar domain name and use it to generate higher search engine rankings than your site.