If you are researching companies to do your website/blogsite be careful what you agree to. If they offer to host your site and/or buy your domain name for you…run! Run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.
If the company you are looking to hire registers your domain and/or puts your site on their hosting account and things go bad in the relationship you can get lost in a losing battle. If you wanted to move the site later to a new hosting company it could cost between $200 and $500 in fees to move it. And worst of all, if the domain is under that company’s name, they would own it, not you. Many entrepreneurs fall for it, I’m afraid.
I suggest you buy your own domain names and hosting. Make sure the account is in your name with your most current contact information.
Take a look at our hosting recommendations listed on our “Sandra Recommends” page.
Pass this on and save your friends from crazy online battles!
Oh dear, you caught me here Sandra. I started my website a year ago (not fully published yet, but working on it), and moved it to WordPress when I discovered WP in spring sometime, this year (and now I am so lucky to have your book..!). Well, I have a guy who has done it all for me, domain and hosting is with his company. He charges $10 per month for the hosting. But he has also been very helpful and can do things I find difficult for a low fee based on an hourly rate. Iiik, what should I do? He even did ask me when I moved it to WP if I still wanted him to host it, and I said yes, not noing this information.
Hi Nina,
The first thing you can do is ask him for the login information for your hosting account. He should be able to give you your own access to your site, if not, then it is connected to his personal account and its time you ask him to move it to your own separate hosting account. Your relationship is in a good place and it’s the perfect time to make this request.
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
I have now checked, and he has given me my own login and password, but of course, I don’t have control over my own site. I am going to condsider moving to BlueHost as you advise. They get really good reviews, check here: http://www.100webhosting.com/web-hosting-review-bluehost/
Nina, before you make a move send me a private email with the url he gave you to log into your hosting. I want to see if you do or do not have control over your site and hosting.