Each January, those I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the previous year receive my “Annual Update.” In that update, I mention and highly recommend that the reader stop right then and there and take inventory of their domain names.

Recently, the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) sent out their annual notices to domain owners requesting, that they double-check the accuracy of their domain records and update them. This is actually a legal requirement of domain ownership.

E-mails came in to me from domain owners wondering why they have to renew early or if that notice was spam. Neither. If you read the e-mail it is clear what they are trying to accomplish. Accurate records reflecting domain owner’s correct and up-to-date information.

You and only you are responsible for your domain records. If you own a domain, your name and contact info should be reflected as the official Registrant. If you find you are not listed as the Registrant — address that right now — because if you are not noted as the Registrant you legally do not own that domain name.

Whomever has your domain name reflecting their contact info and not yours as it should, needs to change that domain’s record to reflect your contact information and provide you access to those records immediately. If they are unwilling to provide you access (usually due to registering your domains under their account instead of properly setting up a separate account for you) — transfer away to an account you have full access to pronto!

Only transfer away once you see that they have properly modified the records to show your contact info and e-mail address. And before you initiate the transfer process, ask the other person to ensure the domain is unlocked for transfer and for them to provide you with a transfer authorization code.

You can check domain records here: TheIStudio.net DIY Domain Services site. Page down and click on the WHOIS link at the bottom of the page.

The Admin contact can be your consultant or Web developer so they can assist you, and the Technical contact can be your hosting company. That said, nothing wrong with you being all three. The key is to have up-to-date and accurate information!

The problem is that many don’t even know where their domains are registered and/or the account login info! Some trust others with this important task when ultimately only you, the domain owner, is responsible for your domain records. When you change addressees, move, change phone numbers or e-mail addresses — your domain accounts should be at the top of the list with all those other accounts you update.

I’ve created a simple Domain Name Tracking Worksheet for you to use to getting going on this very important issue. Download it now so you can begin to manage, update and secure your domains!

There is big business online taking advantage of what you don’t know. Better yet, taking advantage of what you won’t take the time to understand or read. We’re all rushed; not enough time in every day. Daily I hear folks who exclaim “Too much information!” when it comes to technology. That is the biggest challenge of all - for each of us - to determine what information you need to rely on, pay attention to or the majority of times simply ignore. Read the rest of this entry »