Another Webmaster-Holds-Domain-Name-Hostage Case

How can we educate lay people to register domain names in their own name?

The typical domainer lives and breathes domain names. It’s understandable that non-domainers who hire a web designer to create a web site don’t realize the importance of registering and owning the domain name themselves. How can we teach them?

I was reminded of this issue today when reading regarding an author who is having trouble getting control of her domain name. It was registered in the name of her web designer.

I wrote regarding this issue back in October when a modest town in Connecticut was in a battle with its web design firm.

Even if a client has a contract with a web design firm that states the client owns the domain name, it’s notable for the client to register and own the domain name itself. Too many things can happen that could lead to a prolonged challenge and ultimately losing the domain name. How many times do clients part ways with web designers who aren’t making the cut? I’ve rarely had a successful relationship with client web developers.

The role of a web designer with regards to domain names ought to be to educate his or her clients on how to register a domain name and to watch the domain to make sure it isn’t expiring.