Internet Domain Registration ? Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Domain Name Registration

Home
>
Domain Name
>
Internet Domain Registration ? Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Domain Name Registration

Internet Domain Registration ? Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Domain Name Registration

Here are the top ten most frequently asked questions regarding on Internet domain name registration:

Q1. Which characters are allowed in Internet domain names?

A: For normal ASCII domain names, the letters a-z, the numbers 0-9, and one special character, the hyphen or dash "-". Note that domains cannot start or end with a hyphen. For the new tested IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names), the full range of Unicode characters are available. This allows nearly all of the languages on the planet to be represented within domain names, including Thai, Arabic, Lao, Hebrew, French, German etc.

Q2. How many characters can a Internet domain name have?

A: Generic domains (gTLDs) can have 63 characters in the second level, plus the top level domain, .com, .net etc.

Q3. How long can I register a Internet domain name for?

A: In most cases, you are allowed to register a Internet domain name for period of one to ten years. Longer periods are not currently allowed by the registry.

Q4. How long do Internet domain registrations take to make & process?

A: Typically ten minutes or so. Once you have chosen the name and paid the fee, most registration systems will register your name in near real-time.

Q5. Do I "own" a domain name I register?

A: Not really, it is more like a rental agreement. But importantly, you have the exclusive right to renew the agreement with the registry at the end of the initial registration period, so effectively you can keep the name as long as you want.

Q6. Why does my Internet domain name still show as unregistered in a WHOIS tool?

A: WHOIS tools are meant to show the nameserver / contact information for domain names held by a particular ICANN registrar. They are typical not updated in real-time and thus are not good indicators of current domain registration status.

Q7. How will I know if a Internet domain registration attempt has been successful?

A: WHOIS tool takes anything up to 48 hrs to be updated so can't be relied on. A better indicator is whether you receive a confirmation e-mail from the domain registrar. You could also try registering the name again. By doing so, the registrar will do a "live" availability check on the name, which will indicate to you whether the name has been registered or not. This is not the same as a WHOIS look-up.

Q8. How long do domain names take to be active after registration?

A: Approximately 24 - 48 hrs, though because nameservers work as a distributed network, it can take up to 72 hrs or more before your domain name is accessible to all Internet users worldwide.

Q9. Can I register a Internet domain for later use?

A: There is no problem in registering domain names first, and using them later on. In fact, it is estimated that among 80% to 90% of all domain names are "idle".

Q10. Can I get a refund if I make a mistake & register the wrong name?

A: Nearly all domain registrars operate a strict no refund policy. This is because they are charged a non-refundable fee by the registry to perform the registration.

John Leong is the webmaster at Internet Domain Registration Guide where you will find the latest news and information on domain name registration.

In The News:

RedOrbit
Internet domain name project relaunches after software bug
Reuters
In the most ambitious expansion of the Internet so far, the body that oversees domain names has now given organisations until May 30 to apply for their own Web address endings - for example .london, .eco or .canon - provided they have a legitimate ...
ICANN Domain Name Application Process Re-OpensRedOrbit
Internet domain name programme back on trackVertical Leap News (press release)

all 152 news articles »

InsuranceQuote.com Domain Name For Sale Exclusively with DomainAdvisors
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Top Insurance Industry Domain Name Now Available. Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 DomainAdvisors, a leading broker of ultra premium domain names, announced today that the multi-billion dollar insurance industry's defining domain name, ...

and more »

Could the .secure domain make the Internet safer?
InfoWorld
By Robert Lemos | InfoWorld Most calls for new TLD (top-level domain) names seem like little more than real estate developers proposing the creation of entire new continents just to lease the land. The creation of .name, .pro, .xxx, and even .biz, ...

and more »

Mayor arrested after hacking into GoDaddy account and cancelling domain
Domain Name Wire
Register your domain names with Searchen Networks Inc., Check domain name availability. Search for domain names. Domain Name Wire is the Domain Name Industry's News Source. Major and his son accused to hacking into GoDaddy account and cancelling domain ...

and more »

Using Nigeria's domain name for economic growth
The Nation
By Adline Atili 12 hours 51 minutes ago Of what use is the country code Top Level Domain name, .ng to the economy? It can boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP), drive broadband growth and stimulate economic development, say experts, ADLINE ATILI reports ...

MyBroadband
Number of co.za domain names revealed
MyBroadband
There are currently around 780000 .co.za domain names, with between 100000 and 140000 net additions annually. This is according to Uniforum SA director Neil Dundas. Dundas said that there are around 200000 new .co.za registrations per year, ...

Where in the world are Domain Name Wire readers?
Domain Name Wire
Register your domain names with Searchen Networks Inc., Check domain name availability. Search for domain names. Domain Name Wire is the Domain Name Industry's News Source. Where in the world are Domain Name Wire readers? Most visits are from the US, ...

and more »

Internet domain name project relaunches after software bug
IBNLive.com
In the most ambitious expansion of the Internet so far, the body that oversees domain names has now given organisations until May 30 to apply for their own Web address endings - for example .london, .eco or .canon - provided they have a legitimate ...

Starting Dot Announces Application for .ski Top Level Domain
PR Newswire (press release)
Global community of ski sports participants, companies and brands to get a dedicated domain name extension to help grow the sport through related domain names. PARIS, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- STARTING DOT today announced its application to ...

and more »

EuroDNS Promotion Offers .JP domain Names at €52.99, for Two Weeks Only
PR Web (press release)
JP domain names. This promotion enables EuroDNS customers to register new or transfer existing domain names at a promotional rate. Valid until June 5, 2012, register a .JP domain name for only €52.99. Enter the promo code PRJP12A and benefit from this ...

and more »

Google News