We are often asked to explain the "parts" of putting websites together. There are really only 3 pieces, which are outlined below. The most important question you can answer is: do you know where each of these pieces are for your own domain name(s)? If you can't answer with confidence, this is an urgent matter for the security of your business. If you need help with figuring it all out...give us a call.

#1 - Domain Name(s)

I'm sure you know what a domain name is. Each domain name is owned in a single account a domain name registrar. Common registrars are GoDaddy or Network Solutions. Whoever has the login to the registrar account with your domain name in it controls the domain, including renewing it year after year. Do you know where your domain name is? If not...work on finding this out urgently. Or your domain name could expire or be lost to another person forever.

#2 - DNS (Domain Name System)

This may be a piece you are not familiar with. DNS can be thought of as the instructions for a domain name. DNS tells the internet where the website is located, where to send emails for that domain name and a number of other critical things. DNS is comprised of record types such as A, MX and TXT. Most domain registrars provide DNS services for domains at no charge. So your DNS may be in the same location as your domain name...but it doesn't have to be. DNS can be located elsewhere. To determine where the DNS for a domain name is located, you want to look at the nameservers, which are a setting on the domain name itself (at the registrar).

#3 - Your Website

Your website resides on a server somewhere. Yep - this could also be provided by your domain registrar. Or perhaps it is provided by a hosted website service such as Shopify, SquareSpace or Wix. If you use a software package like WordPress or Concrete CMS, most likely it is hosted with a company like ours. This means that there is a server somewhere that holds your website files. If you do not know who manages that server, your files could be lost or inaccessible.

It is critical that you know where each of these "pieces" is located and who has the keys. If your domain was registered years ago by someone who no longer works at the company, you should immediately begin working to recover your domain name and place it in an account that you control, or someone you know and trust controls. It is imperative that you begin this process now, and not when any of these services expire.

If you need help, drop us a line! We have helped many clients find the location of these services and assure they are in a proper spot for safekeeping.