Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Registration and Web Hosting
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| Domain Names |
What is a domain nameA domain name is a Web address, such as coolexample.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the governing body that coordinates links between IP addresses and domain names across the Internet, so you can find Web sites by entering domain names instead of IP addresses into your Web browser. For example, think of an IP address as an address for a house or business, such as the White House. The address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is comparable to an IP address, and the name you know it as, the White House, is comparable to a domain name. A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD), or domain extension, is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (coolexample.com). The most common domain extensions are .COM, .NET, and .ORG. Some other popular domain extensions are .BIZ, .INFO, .NAME, and .WS. These common extensions have certain guidelines, but are usually available to any registrant, anywhere in the world. There are also restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .AERO, .BIZ, .EDU, .MIL, .MUSEUM, .NAME, and .PRO that require registrants to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, the .NAME domain extension 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). 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) 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 ICANN-accredited registrar. As an ICANN-accredited registrar, you can register domain names through us. Registering DomainsIf your domain is available, you can register it for a period of time that you specify during the checkout process. You can use your domain to build your business and assist you in creating a dynamic online identity. You may also want to consider registering multiple domain names to:
To get started, you need to check if the domain name you want is available. To Check a Domain’s Availability
If the domain you requested is taken, we present you with available alternatives. For example, you may be able to select a .INFO or .WS domain extension, rather than a .COM. For example, you could register www.coolexample.info, instead of www.coolexample.com. If the domain is available, follow the instructions to complete the checkout process. As you complete your registration, include valid contact information for each contact. ICANN, the governing body for domain names, requires valid information for your contact information (Registrant, Technical, Billing, and Administrative). If you enter false information, your domain is cancelled. Your contact information is public and accessible through the Whois databases of most registrars. However, you can protect your privacy by registering your domain with us using our private domain name registration services. When you purchase our private domain registration services, the Whois directory lists Domains By Proxy’s name, postal address, and phone number instead of yours. Although Domains By Proxy is the registrant of your domain name registration, you still retain the full benefits of domain registration. You can:
How do domain names work?Registering a domain doesn’t automatically make your Web site appear when visitors enter your domain into a Web browser. You have to upload your Web site to a computer that hosts the site and assigns a numeric address, called an IP address, to your domain. Your domain and associated IP address are stored in a database with every other domain and associated IP address. When visitors enter your domain into a Web browser, your domain works like an address forwarding service by forwarding visitors to the IP address where your Web site is stored. We use domain names instead of IP addresses because most people find it easier to remember a name rather than a series of numbers. When you register a domain, you do not have to create and upload a Web site. You can also: Sell it. Domains can be a great investment. If you have registered a domain 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. Don’t forget to include your contact information. Protect your brand online. The more domains you register, the better. Prevent others from registering a similar domain to yours—just to steal away your customers. What to do with all these names? Forward them to your main domain. Hold on to it. Maybe you haven’t decided what to do with your new domain. Don’t worry – there’s no rush. You can leave it parked with us for the length of your registration. For new .COM and .NET domains and updates, it may take up to eight hours for changes to become effective. It may take up to 48 hours for changes made to all other domain extensions to become effective. This is because of the number of networks and agencies involved. Delays apply to all domains and registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email. What does it mean to park a domain name?When you park a domain name, a temporary Web page displays when visitors go to your domain. You may want to park your domain to indicate you are reserving it until you create your Web site, find a hosting provider, or sell the domain to a third party. What if I misspelled my domain when I registered it?Unfortunately, we are unable to change or edit the spelling of a domain after it has been registered. We try to register the domain exactly as you enter it. Should the registration succeed, you are charged, even if the domain you entered was not what you actually intended to type. You do have the option of cancelling the domain so that it is no longer registered to you, but cancelling does not entitle you to a refund of any part of your registration fee. Cancelling a domain is a permanent action. Can a domain registered elsewhere use your system to register new nameservers?No, your domain must be registered through us if you want to use our system to register nameservers for it. For domains registered elsewhere, register nameservers through your current registrar. For more information, contact your current registrar. However, if you registered nameservers through our system, you can assign them to domains that you registered elsewhere. For more information, see Registering Your Own Nameservers. Can I register domains if I don’t have a hosting provider?Yes, you can register domains before you find a hosting provider. We automatically park domains you register with us. A temporary parked page displays when visitors go to your Web site. The parked page indicates you are reserving the site until you find a hosting provider and upload your site. Who is listed as a domain’s registrant?Any public domain registration that you register through us has your name as the registrant, just as if you registered it through any other ICANN-certified registrar. You can change all four contact fields for the domain whenever you want. If you want to restrict your personal information from displaying, you can purchase privacy service. For more information, see Adding Privacy to Your Domains.
What is a nameserver?Nameservers are the Internet’s equivalent to phone books. A nameserver maintains a directory of domain names that match certain IP addresses (computers). The information from all the nameservers across the Internet is gathered in a central registry. This makes it possible for visitors to access your Web site using a familiar domain name, instead of having to remember a series of numbers. Nameservers on other networks can access information at the central registry up to 8 hours after registering .COM and .NET domains and up to 48 hours for all other domain extensions. This period is referred to as the propagation period. The nameserver you use depends on when you set up your hosting account. Our nameservers are: After March 11, 2008 September 12, 2007 – March 10, 2008 January 31, 2007 – September 11, 2007 November 15, 2006 – January 30, 2007 December 15, 2005 – November 14, 2006 Before December 14, 2005 When can I register an expired domain?Most registrars allow a grace period for registrants to renew expired domains. 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 may become available after any grace and redemption periods during which the registrar and registry may hold the domain. The actual grace period is different for each individual registrar. Once the domain becomes available, you can register it through us. In many cases, soon-to-be-expired domains are auctioned. If the current registrant fails to renew the registration within the allotted grace and subsequent redemption periods, you can attempt to acquire the domain by placing a bid for it. What is a second-level domain (SLD)?The second-level domain is the readable part of the domain name that is located immediately to the left of the dot. For example, the second-level domain in coolexample.com is "coolexample." You define the second-level domain when you register most domains. However, there are some registries that restrict the second-level domain, such as .UK domains. Domains with this extension must include .CO. For example, coolexample.co.uk. Second-level domains can be divided into further domain levels (for example, www.one.coolexample.com). These subdomains sometimes represent different computer servers within departments, but they can be created for any purpose. More than one second-level domain name can be used for the same IP address. 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, please contact the domain registrant. 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. 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 accordingly. Setting Nameservers for Your DomainsWhen registering your domain with us, we park your domain on our parked nameservers so a temporary page displays when visitors go to your Web site. After determining which hosting provider you want to use, you can change your domain’s nameservers to unpark and activate your domain name. You can purchase a hosting account with us to use our nameservers, regardless of where you registered your domain. Update your nameservers according to one of the following:
After updating your nameservers, it takes about 4 to 8 hours for other networks to access information for .COM and .NET domains and about 24 to 48 hours for other networks to access information for all other domain extensions. If you have a hosting account with us, the default nameservers you need to use depend on the day you set up your hosting account. Use one of the following sets of nameservers: March 11, 2008 – Present September 19, 2007 – March 10, 2008 January 31, 2007 – September 18, 2007 November 15, 2006 – January 30, 2007 December 15, 2005 – November 14, 2006 Before December 14, 2005 To Set the Nameservers for Your Domain
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 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, except in a few cases where the local administrator has decided to adopt it. |
Web Hosting |
Linux Hosting |
Can I Host Multiple Domains Within a Single Hosting Account?Yes, you can host multiple domains within your hosting account. Depending on your hosting plan, you can point domains to any content subdirectory within your hosting account. This feature applies only to Deluxe and Premium hosting plans. For more information, see Adding Domains To Your Hosting Account. Can I use your company to host my Web site if my domain is registered elsewhere?Yes. Even if your domain name is registered with another registrar you can still host with us. Simply change the nameservers to our name servers. The default nameservers for your hosting account depend on the day you set up your hosting. Use this list to determine your default nameservers: After March 11, 2008 September 12, 2007 – March 10, 2008 |
Windows Hosting |
Activating ASP.NET 2.0 Personal Web Site User AccountASP.NET 2.0 user accounts must be manually activated through the Hosting Control Center after creation. For more information about the ASP.NET 2.0 Personal Web Site, see the Introduction to the Personal Web Site Starter Kit on MSDN. Which version of MySQL should I choose?Normally, if you are beginning to use MySQL for the first time, or have no other reason to choose a specific version, we recommend going with version 4.1 for new databases, which is the default MySQL install from the Hosting Control Panel. A brief rundown of the MySQL versions currently in use are: MySQL 5.0: This is the current stable release. New releases are issued for bugfixes only; no new features are being added that could effect stability. MySQL 4.1: This is the previous stable release. New releases are issued for critical bugfixes and security fixes. No significant new features are to be added to this series. MySQL 4.0: This is the old stable release. This version is now retired, so new releases are issued only to fix extremely critical bugs (primarily security issues). You may continue using databases you have in the 4.0 format, however, you cannot upgrade a 4.0 version database to one of the newer database versions. You are always free to export your data from a 4.0 database and re-import into another database of one of the newer versions. For more information regarding MySQL versions, see Choosing Which Version of MySQL to Install on the MySQL Web site. |
