If you’re new to the domain realm, you may take a standard route of using your web hosting service as your domain provider. However, there may be a few things you are missing out on by keeping your services under one roof. Here’s why you should always use a different provider to maintain your domain name instead of the provider that maintains your website.
Potential to Lock with Current Web Host
If your domain name is tied to your web host, you could lose your domain name if you ever decide to switch to another host. That’s because your domain name has the potential to be locked with your current web hosting service due to what’s called registrar-locking. This can happen if it’s less than 60 days between when you start using the service and decide to go elsewhere. If your domain name is owned independently, you can point it to whatever new web host you choose even if it’s within these 60 days.
More TLD (Top-Level Domains) Options
Web hosts will typically only offer a few TLDs to choose from, which can leave you in the dust if you’re searching for a unique domain name based on a niche market or location. However, using a dedicated domain provider will typically offer much more TLDs. For example, Hover offers more than 400 TLDs for you to choose from. That means if you want to register your domain that is specific to your city or a domain that ends with anything from .photography to .horse, you’ll have a better chance finding and securing the domain name you want when you keep it with a domain name provider versus a web hosting service provider.
Avoid Domain Name Loss
Data breach is very real, and it can even happen by simply having access to your domain web hosting services. If you use a domain web hosting service that lacks multi-step authentication, it may make it easier for hackers to access your web content. What’s worse, if your domain is also parked with your web hosting service, you can potentially lose your domain name should the hacker transfer the domain name elsewhere. That can mean tons of lost hours and money trying to prove you own your domain name.
You can also easily lose your domain name if your web hosting service and domain name expire on the same date. For example, suppose you have your domain name registered with your web hosting provider and forget to renew your web hosting service, or you decide you no longer want to use the hosting service but haven’t decided on which to use. Your name can also easily be set up for failure if you have an expired credit card on file and your web hosting service provider does not alert you of the need for an update before renewal. Many aftermarket domain name companies wait for these types of opportunities to grab forgotten domains. This situation is even more critical when you lack a trademark for the domain name. Using a different provider to secure your domain name can circumvent these issues from happening in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Your domain name should always be kept separate from your web host to avoid pitfalls, such as domain name loss. If you decide to move to another site builder or web host, keep your domain name registered elsewhere so that you ensure your name will not be locked with your current web hosting provider. However, you can avoid the pitfalls of using one provider to host your web content and maintain your domain name by keeping these two functions separate.