A Domain I Own Is Being Used

[Joy Domainer]

Hi everyone,

A domain name that I've owned for a few years, is being used by someone else. I want to sell the domain name artistsgonewild.com but it's being used. It isn't parked; I changed the DNS from godaddy to the host where I have a couple of other sites a long time ago but I've done nothing with it there.

Has anyone ever had this happen? Any advice or help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joy

 

[maksimfa]

Heh?

What do you mean the domain you own is being used?

You either own it or you don't.

Is it in your registrar account on godaddy or elsewhere you control to where it is pointed?

If so.... where it is pointed?

It is possible that whereever you pointed the domain, someone created a hosting account for that domain and you are pointing to it. In which case, contact them and or have it pointed to a different account, problem solved.

If you owned the domain and it expired and someone bought it..., well, you don't own it.

 

[deez007]

Hi Joy

Welcome to NP...

I'm a little confused... do you still own the domain name?

If you own the domain name they you can simply change the nameservers for the domain and it wont point to the other person site anymore.

Did you initially give this person permission to use your domain and then pointed the domain to their server?

Looking at the domain now, it looks parked to me?

 

[Kuffy]

Have you checked to see if the site has been hacked?

 

[maksimfa]

It looks like the domain is just pointing to a parking page right now.

If it is artistsgonewild.com

 

[usernamex]

@Joy Domainer - You look to be in control - did you add it to your hostgator account yet? Even if you did it may take a few days to propagate, yet the DNS shows HG so you should be fine.

Domain Name: ARTISTSGONEWILD.COM
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Registrant Name: Joy ***
Name Server: NS663.HOSTGATOR.COM

 

[NameYourself]

This is a really odd question. It's either your name or it isn't. I think you need to define what you mean by "being used". Did someone else try to build a site at wherever you had it pointed? If it's really 100% yours then just change DNS.

 

[Joy Domainer]

Domain Name: ARTISTSGONEWILD.COM
Registrar URL: godaddy
Registrant Name: Joy ***
Name Server: NS663.HOSTGATOR.COM

Is correct. I changed the name server to Hostgator about a year ago because I saw this same page/site and figured that godaddy had it as a parked domain (which I didn't ask for) and I haven't done anything with it at Hostgator, I changed DNS to Hostgator to get the domain name away from godaddy's clutches. As you can see Joy (that would be me) owns the domain name. [I also own the .org/.net and .co]

I don't know where else to change the DNS since I only have Hostgator. Hostgator has never created a page with links for marketing with any other domain names I have there. It's puzzling.

This parking page has links to marketing/selling and I've never authorized it or received anything in return. I always thought if you own a domain name, it's yours - hence you own it, and no one else is supposed to do anything with it. At least, that's what I've always thought.

The main issue for me is; I believe that the domain name will sell rather easily, but I was concerned that if this page is up, it might be an issue. It may be obvious that I'm a novice at this; in the past I've basically collected domain names, and now I'm ready to sell about 50 of them, including this one.

I really appreciate all input.

 

[Joy Domainer]

This is a really odd question. It's either your name or it isn't. I think you need to define what you mean by "being used". Did someone else try to build a site at wherever you had it pointed? If it's really 100% yours then just change DNS.

I don't know where else to direct the DNS; Being used to me is that someone is using a domain name that I've owned for years for marketing purposes, without my consent. This same "site" or page has been up for over a year; when I saw it is when I changed the DNS from godaddy to Hostgator over a year ago. Until I recently decided to sell the domain name, I assumed changing the DNS would get rid of this page/site.

 

[maksimfa]

I don't know where else to direct the DNS; Being used to me is that someone is using a domain name that I've owned for years for marketing purposes, without my consent. This same "site" or page has been up for over a year; when I saw it is when I changed the DNS from godaddy to Hostgator over a year ago. Until I recently decided to sell the domain name, I assumed changing the DNS would get rid of this page/site.

Ah, well, if you do not have it going anywhere, YES.... they will use it as a hosting page. I see nothing wrong with having a godaddy parked page if you are not using it. Hostgator is currently parking the page, and your dns is pointing there.

I think you are completely overanalyzing the situation.

If you do not want it to go anywhere, nor do you want Godaddy or anyone else to have ads showing on it... you need either hosting for that page and have it go to a blank page... or use some site builder, or get a wordpress page and point your domain there.

 

[maksimfa]

Btw, if you read the terms of service, they are will within those rights.... and we don't actually own a domain name, we just have the right to use it while we pay our renewal fees.

If you think you "own it" go ahead and don't pay that renewal fee.... =)

If you want it to point somewhere with just a blank page, send me a pm, will be happy to throw up a blank page for you on one of my servers.

Again, you would do that by updating nameservers on GoDaddy as they are the registrar.

 

[Hypersot]

Since you're using Hostgator you can use weebly(free version) or their own website builder to -very easily- create a simple 'This domain might be for sale' page ... or even a blank page.

If you want guidance, I can show you how to easily achieve that.

 

[carob]

It isn't parked; I changed the DNS from godaddy to the host where I have a couple of other sites a long time ago but I've done nothing with it there.

To do anything with it there you need to currently have an account there and pay the hosting bill.

Then you need to "add" the domain within the hosting account.

Then inside the folder there called public_html create or upload a text file called index.html

Then whatever you put in that file will be the plain web page for the domain - if you put nothing in the page will be blank. Or you can put in "Interested in this domain? Contact abc..."


Or instead in your registrar account (Godaddy) you can "forward" the domain, so it just takes people direct to a page of your choice, for example a Sedo sales listing page - creating an account at Sedo is free.

 

[Josytal]

You must upload your own index file with your own content
in the public_html folder.
The file can have any of the following extensions (index.htm, index.html, index.php, index.asp).
Otherwise, hostgator will automatically load the domain with ads - even without your permission.

 

[usernamex]

Hooray @Joy Domainer - looks like you are on your way - Website Coming Soon

If you are simply wanting a DIY For Sale lander I would make one suggestion to not show your email, use a contact form to cut down on potential spam.

 

[Joy Domainer]

Hooray @Joy Domainer - looks like you are on your way - Website Coming Soon

If you are simply wanting a DIY For Sale lander I would make one suggestion to not show your email, use a contact form to cut down on potential spam.

I couldn't get any contact forms to actually send an email when tested . It's the same email that I only use for domain info - and it's on the whois site. I plan to find another method of selling this one and quite a few other sites; maybe Sedo. Thank you for your responses.

Joy