Buying domain names - Advice needed

[pheonixsingh]

Hi,

I would like to buy a few domain names for a company/venture im looking to setup.

I need some advice in this area as I have never done it before. Essentially I want to buy the domains indefinitely (in most options like .co.uk, .org, .com etc) and just hold on to them for the time being (dont want any website or content uploaded yet).

What would be the best way to do this?

[blaggard]

I've had a few over the years, many for a long time, just buy them from someone reputable (many of mine came from UKreg) there will be some variation in price and hold on to them. You should get reminders as they come up for renewal but just stay on top of it. . . .

[akimba]

Fasthosts pretty good and usually if you buy the .com you get the .co.uk at half price etc. And yes they email you to let you know when your lease is about to expire (every 2 years) but you can even tell them to auto debit if you want. I find usually your card has expired for the to auto debit but they do email you saying your card will expire too ;-)

[pheonixsingh]

thanks for the quick responses guys,

I used UKreg to get the domains I was after. Im guessing its ok to leave as is for the time being (dont need to upload anything on the site etc?)

one of the domains however, (.com) is owned by someone, but it comes up to a parked page on Godaddy, from Googling Ive done, usually people do this in the hope of selling it later on? As it is parked.

I did a quick WHOIS checkup and the persons address details etc come up, what would be the best way to get the domain?

[blaggard]

No need to put anything on the site unless you want to put a placeholder. You can enquire about the domain and try to buy it, people have an inflated idea about the worth of their domains so be careful.

[Mobileman]

for just parking domains years ago i used to use domain monster as they were dirt cheap, not sure if they still competitive but worth checking

[BigBird]

thanks for the quick responses guys,

I used UKreg to get the domains I was after. Im guessing its ok to leave as is for the time being (dont need to upload anything on the site etc?)

I have about 20 domains parked with UKReg. Even if you plan to use a domain name you can put the website anywhere and just use the free domain and email forwarding. This is sometimes better because you can use your internet providers free web space or a cheap single domain web space account with a different subdomain for each web site. Just point the forwarding to the subdomain. if you change web space provider all you have to do is move the site contents and change the forwarding in UKReg.

I have a few parked domains just to make use of the free email forwarding. I have one legal sounding co.uk domain which I use to send threats of legal action to companies/people that do not play ball. One such instance is when my daughters ex landlord was holding off returning her bond of £500. Paid up the day after he got the very legal looking email from a very legal sounding .co.uk email addy. (">

[risauk]

I am using 123-reg, I have found them the cheapest so far. I am currently holding around 60 domains and managing them and the renewals is so easy.