I've recently launched a web development and hosting business where I handle setting up websites and domains for clients. Currently, I charge a one-time fee for purchasing domains and creating single-page websites for them, plus a $35 monthly fee for hosting. I've been using AWS tools like Route 53, S3 Buckets, CloudFront, and the certificate manager to manage websites. My customers aren't tech-savvy, and I want to ensure they own the domains. However, some of them have had issues with email verification needed for domain registration, which has become frustrating. I'm wondering if this ownership approach is necessary, or if I should just register the domains myself under my business name to simplify things. Is there a better way to handle this process without causing friction with my clients? Right now, I have them set as the registered and admin contacts, while I manage technical and billing aspects.
4 Answers
It sounds like you're doing things the right way by having your clients be the registered owners—it builds trust and protects you legally. However, I get that getting through the email verification can be a hassle. Many clients end up missing those emails because of spam filters. One trick is to have them whitelist the registrar's email domain so that the ICANN emails don’t get lost in their spam folder. If issues persist, consider temporarily registering the domain under your name just to get through the verification and then transferring it to them afterward. It’s a bit more work, but it simplifies the process for your clients.
I feel you; dealing with non-tech savvy clients can make things complicated. If your clients are struggling with domain purchases, you might want to create simple step-by-step instructions guiding them through the buying process. Alternatively, buying the domain under your management might simplify things, allowing you to handle the verification process without making them jump through hoops. Just ensure they know they're the legal owners, and consider transferring ownership to them after the verification.
Best practice is to keep them as the registered owner—that's the right move for legal protection and trust. You might want to use a service like Cloudflare for domain registration; their process for verification is generally smoother than some others. And remember to have them check their spam or junk mail for the ICANN verification email. Otherwise, if it becomes too tough, a quick video call to walk them through the setup could save you both a lot of headaches in the long run.
You're definitely on the right path by making them the registered owners; it establishes trust. Dealing with the ICANN email verifications can indeed be tricky. Make sure your clients know to check all their email folders for that verification. If you're facing a lot of back-and-forth, it might be worth considering temporarily registering the domain in your name just to get the verification done, then transferring it later. It’s a useful workaround.
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