Hosting for a client and domain name transfer

You need to find out where the domain name is registered, get a login to that account, and then set the name to resolve to the DNS servers provided by the host.

Many hosting companies are third-party resellers for domain registrars, and some will insist that you need to transfer the domain to them. You do not. Most hosts will let you set the entire hosting account up online. You should get direct URL access to the account, so you can install WordPress, your theme, and load your content before you go “live”. When you are ready to launch, you go into the registrar account for this domain and change the nameservers to the names the host will provide for you when you open the account as Figaro described. Be aware that it can take awhile for a DNS change to make it through the entire Internet. Some visitors may see the site very soon after launch, some might wait as long as 24 or even 48 hours. You’ll want to be sure your client understands this.

Right… thanks for the replies.

The wait for transferring the domain shouldn’t be a problem as I am still waiting for the go-ahead for developing the site.

Can I open a hosting account with no domain? If so how would I visit the site and access the control panel etc?

Can I then transfer the domain a while after opening the hosting account?

A whois check on the domain name returns that the name resides on a name server based at https://www.spitfireuk.net/.

On their site it says the following:

Unlike some other providers we register domain names with you as the registrant so that you can choose how your domain name is used now and in the future.

What does this mean in terms of ease of transferral to a hosting account?

Sounds like you need to talk with your domain registrar.

Spitfire seems to be acting as a third-party reseller (they say as much on their Domain Names page), probably for a wholesale-only registrar that does not sell domain names directly to individuals. That means that maintenence of the domain has to go through the reseller. MichaelH is right, you need to talk to them and find out how you can manage this domain online without having to submit a service request to the reseller each time you want something done. Make it clear to the Reseller that you will not be using their hosting service, it can make a difference. Your client should take an interest in this, as they need to maintain the contact info for this domain, so they get the notices from the registrar when the domain is about to expire. Many domains are lost because the contact info in the domain registration was never updated.

You do not need a domain name to get a hosting account, just make it clear to the host company that you already have a domain and will not be transferring it (unless you decide to do so of course). The Host will give you special instructions for accessing your control panel and the web site space without a domain, they do this all of the time.

I have heard that there are resellers who register your domain in thier name, not yours, but I personally do not know of one. The resellers I have used register the domain in your name anyway, so I think this might be a bit of marketing fluff

Thanks for your reply…

I have noticed in the whois report that the contact info is outdated and the email address is not there.

Should I contact Spitfire to rectify this before transfer?
If not who should I contact?

If you and your client have decided to transfer this domain to another registrar, then you need to ensure that the new registrar has the correct information. If you are leaving the domain where it it, then yes, most likely you need to work with the reseller (Spitfire). I generally give my clients a bit of tough love if they have let their reg info go out of date, especially the administrative contact email. Most registrars send several emails to the admin address when expiration is near, but if the expiration date lapses withuot action, then in some cases the registrar actually actions off the domain, and it can be very expensive for the original holder to buy it back.

sorry to bump this again, but the whois check for the domain I want to transfer reveals the registrant’s email as being:

[email protected]

Does this mean the registrant has not provided an email address, and as such I will need to contact the registrar and have them add an email address before attempting a domain transfer?

I’d be talking to the registrar.