What is a domain name?

A domain name is your company's online identity. It is the address your customers use to find information about your products and services on the web. Domain names allow Internet users to type in a name, such as Greatdomainia.com, to identify a numeric Internet Protocol (IP) address such as 207.15.12.173. The purpose of domain names is to allow users connected to the Internet the ability to find web sites conveniently.

What does it mean to “register” a domain name?

There is a central registry of all domain names on the Internet. For your domain name to become a part of the registry, your domain name needs to be added to that registry. This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your website. "Registering" a domain name means you are associated with that domain name for the period of the registration.

Why should I register a domain name?

A domain name is not a website. It's simply an address someone uses to find a website. Registering a domain name is an integral part of creating a website. Your domain name will already be yours and active when you’re ready to launch the website with same name.

Do I own the domain name that I've registered?

Legally, you only own a license to use the domain name provided there are no trademark disputes. Your secured domain name will be yours for as long as you maintain the yearly registration fees.

What are the valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?

A domain name can be up to 67 characters long -- including the 4 characters used to identify the Top Level Domain (.NET, .COM, .ORG, or .EDU). The only valid characters for a domain name are letters, numbers and a hyphen "-".

How long does it take for the registration to take effect?

The application process should take less than two minutes to complete. As an ICANN-approved registrar, all registrations take place in real time. Once your application has been processed and approved, your name is registered.

How long does a registration last? Can it be renewed?

Each registrar has the flexibility to offer initial and renewal registrations in one-year increments, with a total registration period limit of ten years.

Can I use any of the extensions (.com, .net., .org, .edu) available?

The top-level domain is usually .COM, .ORG, or .NET and is open for anyone to use. Other top-level domain names include .EDU, .GOV, and .MIL, though these names are usually reserved for educational, government, and military institutions.

What do I do after I register my domain name?

A domain name is not a website. It's simply an address someone uses to find a website. If you want to have an actual website, you can build one yourself using a variety of do-it-yourself software or you can contact a web design/hosting company. After the website is assembled, you can enter your web hosting company’s Domain Name Server Info (DNS Info) into the Manage Your Domain area. Within 24-48 hours after you enter the DNS info, your new website will be accessible to anyone in the world to see, including you!

How can I find out whether the name that I want is already registered?

If you check the availability of a domain name and it is already registered, click on the search box on the home page.

Why can't I register a domain name myself?

To register a domain name you need to provide the hostname and Net address of a primary server and at least one secondary server. They are not just PCs or Macs with a dial-up connection to the Internet. They are typically UNIX machines connected to the Internet full-time via high-speed digital connections. Only organizations that already have such hardware and connectivity resources are qualified to apply for domain names (for others).