 Domain Name FAQsWhat is a top-level domain (TLD)? What is a second-level domain (SLD)? What is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD)? What is a restricted top-level domain (rTLD)? How do I check if a domain name is available? Can I register a domain name without having a hosting provider yet? What do I do with my domain name after I've registered it? If I register a domain name through you, will I be listed as its registrant (owner)? What does it mean to park a domain name? How do I unpark (activate) my domain name? I just registered a new domain name. When can I start using it? I registered my domain name through someone else. Can I use your name servers? When can I register an expired domain name? How can you charge so much less for domain registration than other registrars? I misspelled my domain name when I ordered it. Can I change it or get a refund? What do I do if I have a trademark dispute? What is the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy?  What is a domain name?A domain name (or "domain") is a Web address, such as coolexample.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page displays. A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (coolexample.com). The most common top-level domains are .com, .net, and .org. Some other popular top-level domains are .biz, .info, .name, and .ws. These common top-level domains have certain guidelines but are, for the most part, available to any registrant, anywhere in the world. There are also some restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro. This does not mean these TLDs cannot be used, but they require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, .name is reserved for individuals, .edu is reserved for educational entities, and .mil is reserved for the military. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .bz (Belize), .ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), .ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe). The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (coolexample.com) — "yourpersonaldomain," in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name is the "readable" part of the address and refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)-accredited registrar.
What is a top-level domain (TLD)?A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (coolexample.com). The most common top-level domains are .com, .net, and .org. Some other popular top-level domains are .biz, .info, .name, and .ws. These common top-level domains have certain guidelines but are, for the most part, available to any registrant, anywhere in the world. There are also some restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro, these require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, the .name TLD is reserved for individuals, while .edu is reserved for educational entities. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .bz (Belize), .ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), .ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe).
What is a second-level domain (SLD)?Located immediately to the left of the dot (" . "), the second-level domain is the readable part of the domain name. The registrant defines the second-level domain. It typically refers to the organization or entity associated with the IP address. For example, in www.cnn.com "cnn" is a second-level domain. Second-level domains can be divided into further domain levels (for example, www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com). These sub domains sometimes represent different computer servers within departments. More than one second-level domain name can be used for the same IP address.
What is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD)?Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .bz (Belize), .ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), .ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe).
What is a restricted top-level domain (rTLD)?Some top-level domains are restricted, such as .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro. This does not mean these TLDs cannot be used, but they require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, .name is reserved for individuals, .edu is reserved for educational entities, and .mil is reserved for the military.
How do domain names work?A domain name works like an address forwarding service. All of your Web site content sits on a computer with a unique address. This is called an IP address. An IP address is made up of a series of numbers, such as 123.23.234.45. Your domain name directs visitors to your site using this IP address. We use domain names instead of IP addresses because most people find it easier to remember a name rather than a series of numbers.
How do I check if a domain name is available?To Check if a Domain Name is Available:
If the domain you want is available, you can follow the instructions on the page to proceed to the next steps in the registration procedure. If the domain name you requested is already taken, we will present you with some available alternatives. For example, you may be able to select a .info or .ws top-level domain, rather than a .com. So, you could register www.domainnamehere.info, instead of www.domainnamehere.com.
Can I register a domain name without having a hosting provider yet?Yes, you can register as many domain names as you'd like and choose to have them parked until you find a hosting provider. To do so, register a domain name and select "Parking." If this option is chosen, a temporary Parked Page displays whenever somebody types your domain name in their browser. This temporary page will inform anyone passing by that this is the future location of your site. A parked page will be active in 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains, and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions.
What do I do with my domain name after I've registered it?Besides setting up your own Web site, there are a number of things you can do with your domain once you register it. Use it for your own personalized email. Just because you don't have a Web site up and runnning yet doesn't mean you can't use your domain name for your own personalized email address(es). Protect your brand online. The more domain names you register, the better. Prevent others from registering a similar domain name to yours—just to steal away your customers. What to do with all these names? Forward them to your main domain name. Sell it. Domain names can be a great investment. If you have registered a domain name that you are not using, maybe someone else can. Log in to your Account Manager and set up a For Sale parked page for your domain name. Don't forget to include your contact information. Hold on to it. Maybe you haven’t decided what to do with your new domain name. Don’t worry – there’s no rush. You can leave it parked with us for the length of your registration.
If I register a domain through you, will I be listed as its registrant (owner)?Any public domain registration that you register through us will have your name as the registrant, just as if you had registered it through any other ICANN certified registrar like Network Solutions/Verisign or Register.com. You will be able to change all four contact fields for the domain whenever you want. You can change the name servers for your domain or use the domain to register your own name servers. We do not charge for any of these services. You are free to work with your domain however and whenever you want to.
What does it mean to park a domain name?When you park a domain name, you're reserving your registered domain until you have created your Web site, found a hosting provider, or sold the domain to a third party. After you park your domain, a temporary Web page displays whenever somebody types your domain name in their browser.
How do I unpark (activate) my domain name?Once you determine which hosting provider you will use, you must change the name server information on your account to unpark, or activate your domain name. To unpark (activate) your domain name using the new Domain Control Center:
If your domain(s) are hosted here, choose Default Hosted Nameservers. If your domain(s) are parked here, choose Default Parked Nameservers. If your domain(s) are hosted somewhere else, choose Custom Nameservers. It usually takes about 4-8 hours for .com and .net domains and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions before name servers on other networks are able to access the information after the central registry gets it. This period is referred to as the propagation period.
What is a name server?Name servers are the Internet's equivalent to phone books. A name server maintains a directory of domain names that match certain IP addresses (computers). The information from all the name servers across the Internet is gathered in a central registry. This makes it possible for people across the Internet to access your Web site using a familiar domain name, instead of having to remember a series of numbers. It usually takes about 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions before name servers on other networks are able to access the information after the central registry gets it. This period is referred to as the propagation period. Which name server you use depends on when you set up your hosting account. Our name servers are: After September 12, 2007: ns43.domaincontrol.com January 31, 2007 – September 11, 2007: ns5.secureserver.net November 15, 2006 – January 30, 2007: ns1.secureserver.net December 15, 2005 – November 14, 2006: ns3.secureserver.net Before December 14, 2005:
I just registered a new domain name. When can I start using it?New domains and changes to domains may take up to 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains to become effective, and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions. This is due to the number of networks involved, and the fact that several different agencies control those networks. This delay applies to all domains and all registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email.
I registered my domain name through someone else. Can I use your name servers?No. Your domain must be registered through us in order for you to use our system to register name servers for it. If your domain name is with another registrar, you will need to register your nameservers through the domain's current registrar. Please contact your current registrar or one of the above companies for more information. However, you can assign nameservers that have already been registered through our system to domains that are registered elsewhere. For more information about registering nameservers, please refer to Registering Your Own Name Servers.
When can I register an expired domain name?Most registrars allow a grace period after a domain name expires for the registrant to renew it. That grace period can be as short as one to two weeks or as long as one year in some cases. If the current registrant does not renew it within the allotted time frame, then that domain name should become available. The actual grace period is different for each individual registrar. Once the registrar releases the domain name, you will be able to register it through us. In many cases, soon-to-be-expired domains will be put up for auction. If the current registrant fails to renew the registration within the allotted grace and subsequent redemption periods, you can attempt to obtain the domain by placing a bid for it.
How can you charge so much less for domain registration than other registrars?We do not purchase domains through Network Solutions, Register.com, or any other company. We are a fully accredited registrar of domain names. ICANN, the governing body of domain names, has approved us as a registrar. Our registration services compete directly with those of Network Solutions/Verisign and Register.com. Our prices for these services are simply better. There are no hidden fees and no gimmicks. We do not make you use our hosting services with your domain name. We are able to offer these prices by accepting lower profit margins than others might be inclined to, and by striving to keep our operations efficient.
I misspelled my domain name when I ordered it. Can I change it or get a refund?Unfortunately, we are unable to change or edit the spelling of a domain name after it has been registered. We try to register the domain exactly as you enter it. Should the registration succeed, you will be charged, even if the domain you entered was not what you actually intended to type.
What is a Whois listing?A Whois listing contains information associated with a domain name, such as its creation and expiration dates, the registrar of record, and various contacts (administrative, technical, etc.). Whois data is collected when a domain name is registered and is public information. The Whois information appears whenever a person conducts a Whois search on a particular domain name. For information on how to keep your contact information private, see Adding Privacy to Your Domains.
What do I do if I have a trademark dispute?Unfortunately, we cannot make any changes to the registrant fields without a legal change of ownership, a court order, or an order by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). If you feel that you are the rightful owner of the domain name, please contact the registrant of the domain name. If you are unable to find a satisfactory solution with the current registrant, you need to settle the issue with a court order. We do not get involved in domain disputes. We cannot make changes to a registrant field without a legal change of ownership or a court order. Discrepancies with trademark or rightful ownership are handled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Their email address is domain.disputes@wipo.int. If a domain name is under a dispute, we lock the domain name once the WIPO notifies us. It cannot be modified or transferred to another registrar. Once we receive a court or WIPO ruling we update the domain name accordingly.
What is the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy?ICANN's Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) defines how to resolve trademark-based disputes over domain names (.biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, .org). In accordance with the UDRP, you can dispute a claim to a domain name by following the dispute process. NOTE: The UDRP does not apply to country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), except in a few cases where the local administrator has decided to adopt it.
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