There are many combined hosting and domain name registration and management services available. But should you really put all your eggs in one basket?

While many registrars nowadays are offering hosting services as well, there are still some domain registrars, including Domainmonster.com, who prefer to offer you a dedicated domain name management service. When you register your domain with a dedicated Domain Registration services company such as Domainmonster.com, you'll often find you're presented with a great deal of useful functionality, and well-trained support staff. Dedicated domain registrars are likely to know what they're doing!

However, often, when you decide that you need to buy some hosting for your website, your chosen hosting company will ask you to transfer your domain name to their control. They may even give you the impression that this is the only way that your domain name can be directed to your website hosted on their servers. However, this is simply not the case.

You can tell your domain name where to resolve by altering the name servers of that domain name. All you need to do is find out the name servers of the hosting company you are using, and change them in your domain name control panel with your domain registrar (or ask your registrar to alter them for you).

Why is it better to alter your name servers rather than transferring your Domain Name to your hosting company? Firstly, it's best not to pin all your virtual assets on one company. Should your hosting company go under, your domain name at least will still be managed elsewhere.

Secondly, however well-meaning your new hosting company, that's what they are, first and foremost: a hosting company. Their speciality will not be domain name management. That means that it is unlikely you will get the same level of control or the same number of options as you do with a domain name registrar such as DomainMonster.com. What is more, when you call a company like DomainMonster.com for support, you will speak to a domain name expert, rather than a general web hosting technician.

Thirdly, hosting companies often charge a premium for services such as domain name renewal or subsequent transfers, and are not as swift and efficient at helping you to do so. If you decide that you don't like your hosting company and wish to move your website elsewhere, you also have the hassle of moving your domain name. Many hosting companies make this a difficult process, as well as an expensive one. DomainMonster.com doesn't charge you anything extra to transfer your domain to another registrar, if you find you're not happy with the service.

By Natalie Catchpole