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.


AddThis Social Bookmark Button


In The News:

TheHostingNews.com (press release)
Internet land grabbers snatch up .co domain names
Los Angeles Times (blog)
Internet domain registrars began selling .co domain names on Tuesday, and some of the 11 virtual-real-estate sellers report seeing plenty of demand. ...
.CO Domain Names Now AvailableMashable (blog)
.CO Top-Level Domain Names Officially Available TodayErictric
.CO Domain Names Now Available to the PublicPR Newswire (press release)
InternetRetailer.com -PR Web (press release) -Breaking Money News
all 111 news articles »

The art of startup names
TechFlash (blog)
After all, he says most of the real word domain names are already taken. "The need for economy forces us to be ingenious with all our resources, ...

and more »

MarketWatch
Meg Whitman submits her resume to California voters
MarketWatch
In a lawsuit Whitman filed against the domain-name owner in late 2008, she sought to make clear: "Meg Whitman is an Internet pioneer and businessperson ...

and more »

Domain Name Web Hosting – What You Need To Know
Intac (blog)
When domain name web hosting is mentioned, a couple of things come to mind. First, a place to host your new site, and second, it can be a place to park your ...

and more »

Tech Eye
Internet Infrastructure Receiving Security Update
Tom's Guide
Called Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), this system should eliminate many popular "spoofer" attacks that use fake emails and web pages to ...
Internet gets DNS security system upgradeTechwatch
Internet 'Key Holders' Are Insurance Against Cyber AttackTechNewsDaily
The 7 people who can restart the InternetGCN.com
Escapist Magazine -The Atlantic -iT News
all 107 news articles »

Lead Generation Domain Names Lead Quality Prospects Right To Your Doorstep
AddPR.com (press release)
Use keyword rich domain names related to your business products or services to attract qualified prospects while you sleep. ...


Hot sales of .co domain name
Pune Mirror
Twenty-five years after the launch of .com, there are more than 90 million domain names registered in the .com extension. The .com domain space is crowded, ...


Questions surround Battle Wings' future
Shreveport Times
Newman admitted Wednesday that he had purchased aflvoodoo.com but that it was one of many similar domain names that he owns. "Absolutely. ...

and more »

How to perfect security interests in copyrights, trademarks and domain names
Lexology (registration)
Domain Names. There is no specific guidance as to perfection of security interests in domain names, but to the extent that security agreements include such ...

Google News

__________

Games at Buy.com

Kingston, Sandisk, Viewsonic, Canon, Toshiba

WhyYouNeedThatPerfectName.com!

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet" -Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)A rose perhaps but not your... Read More

What You Need to Know About Choosing A Domain Name

Aside from the nuts and bolts of where to register your domain name and purchasing a good economical hosting service, there are a few things to know... Read More

Understand the Domain Name System

Ever wonder why DNS systems came into existence? Efficiency. Every computer has a distinct IP address, and the Internet needed an elite method for obtaining these addresses... Read More

1-800-Get-Rich Can Toll Free 800 Number Domains Pay Off?

The toll free number 1-800-Get-Rich belongs to the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Perfect vanity number for a casino, right? Well apparently not. Their website shows... Read More

Is Your Domain Costing You Traffic?

You visited a great website some time ago that had some fantastic information on it. It is not easily found in search engines results so you decide... Read More

Choosing A Domain Name

--About Domain Names--Choosing a domain name for your web site is a major step for any individual or organization. You need domain names that are sticky, short,... Read More

Good Domain Names Make Your Dreams Memorable

"What was the name of that website? It was good. It has something to do with..."Is your web site like many others?Domain names always on the tip... Read More

The Value of a Good Domain Name

Domain names to the internet are the as necessary as wheels on a car. All websites need a domain name; it is how your website is found... Read More

How To Really Profit from Domain Names

Have you heard about domain names that sold for over a million dollars? Inspired by this, you imagine registering a great domain name, hanging onto it for... Read More

Warning: Your Domain Name Could Infringe On Trademark Rights!

If you have or are about to purchase a domain name, YOU could be in trouble and you don't even know it yet...See, what the domain sellers... Read More

Public Domain - Internet Gold Mine

With the advent of the internet and the ease of which information can readily be downloaded and compiled you would think that more people would realize that... Read More

Got a Small Business? Choose the Right Domain Name

Choosing a domain name can be daunting. Research the subject (after all, you're the type of marketer who researches, right?) and you'll be hit with a landslide... Read More

What is a Domain Name and Where to Register?

A domain name is an alias for an IP address. Now what is an IP address? An IP address is a numeric code that signifies where to... Read More

Why to Register md-Domains?

What is .md?.md is the web address that identifies you, your company or your organization with the healthcare industry. Thousands of professionals and companies in the healthcare... Read More

ICANN Registrar: za-Domains for Anybody

Cologne, 12.10. 2004. ICANN accredited registrar Secura announces today,that the company is accepting the registration of za-domains.The co.za-domains are the domains of South Africa. The co.za-domains belong... Read More

8 Million de-Domains

DENIC, the registry of the German Top Level Domain (TLD) has announced, that it has received the eight millionth application for the registration of a de-domain. The... Read More

The net-Domain: Backbone of the Web

We do not always realize that figures are just quantity and can deceive about quality.In spite of the fact that the net-domain is only the No. 4... Read More

ICANN Registrar: jp-Domains for Anybody

Cologne, October 10 2004. ICANN Registrar Secura announces today, that the company is now accepting the registration of jp-domains from companies and individuals outside of Japan.The jp-domains... Read More

All-time Record of Domain Registrations

The number of registered domains has reached an all-time high of more than 60 million domain names worldwide.Figures show that country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs) are... Read More

Detagged Domains

What is a DETAGGED domain name? We get asked this question regularly.Only UK domain names can be detagged. A domain name that has been DETAGGED is no... Read More

Domain Names

Domain names are relatively straightforward! Or at least that's the theory!!The domain name is also, but technically not quiet correct, known as the website address.Using an ISP's... Read More

What is a Domain Name and Why Would I Want One?

In this article we will cover the basics of what a domain name is, how they work and why you need to have at least one. I... Read More

.info Freedom Frenzy

Whether you're someone that registers domain names on a regular basis, or you're a person looking to register one domain name for your website or business, then... Read More

Liberalization of in-Domains?

Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran has -as Hindustan Times reports-some advice for Indian patriots: use in-domains for Websites and e-mail IDs to popularise Indian identity in... Read More

ICANN Registrar: Great promotion by is-domains!

ICANN accredited registar Secura is announcing today, that the company offers is-domains to persons and companies outside from Iceland.The is-domains, which are the domains from Iceland, belong... Read More