You'll be familiar with the basics of domain name registration if you've gone through Part I of this feature. You're now ready to book your name and get an account with a hosting service. Here's how.

According to the ICANN directory, the accredited registrar in India for .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .name domains is Directi.

You can register and transfer domain names with them or their resellers. Domain names are available starting at US$ 6.49 (per domain per year). They also offer 24/ 7/ 365 support via a knowledgebase, helpdesk and telephone.

You can also book your domain with Rediffmail Pro, a service that allows you to choose your own domain name and also provides 5 email ids along it with for Rs 1499 per year. Extra features are available at additional cost. Once you decide on a Web hosting service, all you will need to do inform customer support of the IP name address of your service for either redirection or mapping of your URL.

Indian hosting services: An overview

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Directi allows you to build your own Web hosting package once you book your domain. The pricing structure will depend on the amount of disk space, email accounts, platform, database support that you need.

Other companies like Net4India, Bhartiyanet and Pugmark have fixed packages starting from the basic starter plan (5-20 MB) to higher end plans that require dedicated hosting.

Use RediffSearch for a list of more Indian Web hosting services.

A comparative chart for start-up packages

Service Provider	Disk Space	POP Email Accounts	Platforms	Technical/ Other Features	Annual Fees (Rs)
Net 4 India	Starter package - 5 MB	20	Win 2000 /Red hat Linux	MS SQL/ mySql/ MS Access support	2,500
Bhartiyanet	5 MB	Unlimited	NA	Free domain name, domain user control panel, 75MB dataflow monthly	1,500(one-time set-up = 750)
NetandHost	Standard - 5 MB	5/ 10	Win 2000/ Linux	Access support, Data transfer of 100 MB per month	1, 900
Pugmark India	Starter - 25 MB	10	Windows and Linux	Dataflow monthly 250 MB, Web-based administration	3,999
Palcomonline	Startup - 10MB	Unlimited	Windows and Linux	PHP support free, 200 MB bandwidth	2,300

Transferring your domain

If you already have a domain but wish to switch hosting services, here's a checklist to ensure a smooth move with minimal down time for your site.

Keep a copy of all your files locally: Using a basic FTP programme download your current files, including graphics, html files, etc. onto your local drive. Retain the directory structure exactly as on your Web server.

Analyse your hosting needs when selecting the new host: Make sure your new host meets all your requirements, as you do not want to make changing hosts a habit! Hosts may allow you to handle the transfer of your domain yourself. This is recommended if you want to retain control of the process. But if you want to save yourself the hassle, let them handle it for you.

Overseas Hosts - Netfirms - Hostmagik - Biz Hosting - Only2Dollars

Upload your files on the new server: Upload all the site files to your new host using the new IP address. Set up all the email accounts you were using with your old domain as well.

Initiate the record change through your current registrar: This is the most crucial part. Technically speaking, the only thing that needs to be changed in your record is the name server information and this will be available from your new host. If it's not provided, email their helpdesk. Update the technical contact on your domain name record.

Monitor the change: You should generally get an email confirming the change. Once initiated it will take up to 48 hours for the change to be effected. This period is called 'propagation' and is the time it takes for all the servers to note your domain's new location.

Links:
More on transferring | Indian Registry | All about domain names

Q&A with Saurabh Pande of Directi.com Q. Can I change my registrar after booking a domain name with you? What is the process involved and how long does this transfer take? Absolutely. Please refer to this FAQ in the Directi knowledgebase and helpdesk. Q. Can I also register a domain name through a reseller? Yes. Some of our resellers are given below: Ritesh Kakkad of Indsoft Systems, Mumbai Space2host Web Services, Chennai Rasheeda Yusuf, Netlynx Technologies, Mumbai Yujin Boby, Flash Web Host, Kochi Jagan Abraham, Spacelogics, Bangalore Q. How and when is the payment done? You can choose to pay by credit card or note the order ID and send us a Cheque/ DD/ Pay Order (with order ID printed behind) payable in Mumbai. Domain names are not registered until the payment is received. Q. What does the transferring process involve? Following are our individual prices for transferring domains to Directi: -- com/ net/ org - Rs 410 or US$ 8.49 per domain year -- biz - Rs 410 or US$ 8.49 per domain year -- info - Rs 410/- or US$ 8.49 per domain year We mail details of the transfer to the admin contact (one who is authorised to act on behalf of the actual owner) for that domain. Once he agrees, a mail is sent to the registry and then you'll receive another mail from your current registrar, which you need to approve. Only then is the domain transferred to us. Transferring also renews the domain name by a year. Visit this link for information on domain-name related support.

Tips on domain management

1. If you have registered your domain with a registrar and want it redirected to a free site hosted with another company, a process called 'redirection' can be done by your registrar.
   
   
2. Be sure you go to a legitimate, accredited registrar. There have been some scams and rip-offs in domain registration. Check the ICANN registrars list to find one in your country.
   
   
3. Make sure you give your own name as 'administrative contact', so you will be able to approve or disapprove changes to your domain.
   
   
4. Watch out for the expiry date on your domain and get your renewals done on time. Don't rely on your registrar but keep track of it yourself.