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Give Your Domain a Home

When you're most of the way through registering your domain, many registrars suddenly throw unspeakable network jargon at you. They want to know two "authoritative name server addresses" (and sometimes their IP addresses, too). Huh?

When you register a domain name, an entry is created in the Domain Name System database. That entry needs to point to a Web or mail server and a backup server. Those name servers are provided by Web and/or e-mail hosting services when you sign up, and look something like ns3.freeservers.com, with IP numbers configured like this: 209.210.67.153.

If you provide that information (which you usually get from your hosting service) during registration, you're in good shape. If you don't, most registrars will park the domain on their servers until you can. You can shift your domain out of park mode by logging on to your registrar's domain management pages, where you can fill out a form to change domain name servers. The change can take place in a matter of hours.

You use this same technique to change hosting services--something you should consider periodically if you're not happy with your host. WebHosters.com provides customer satisfaction polls that present a useful gauge of how well various hosting companies rate with their clients. If you find a host there that provides better or similar services to your own and rates more highly with its clients ... well, that may be a good reason to jump.

Watch for hidden costs. If you're considering a change in hosting companies, keep an eye open for setup costs. Many companies don't charge setup costs, especially if you're able to do the legwork in bringing your domain across. If you find a host that's great in every other respect except for a stiff setup fee, call the service and ask for a waiver. It may not work, but it's worth a try.