What is a Domain?
Which Domain is for me?
What do the various extensions mean?
Who are Nominet and ICANN?
What is a Whois lookup?
I don't know where my domain is. How can I find out?
My previous host won't release my domain - is there anything I can do?
What is a Domain?
Every computer on the internet (including web servers) has an IP address which is like an electronic form of postcode identifying its location. A domain name is simply a text version of that address, identifying a particular location on a web server.
Which Domain is for me?
Which domain to register is very much a personal decision, however here are a few pointers:
- Try and choose something short and easy to remember - most importantly make sure that it is easy to spell!
- Where mispronounications or spellings may be a problem consider registering common typos as these can be set to forward to your actual web address.
- Think carefully about your domain extension - check out what the extensions mean below.
- If the .com and .co.uk are taken for your domain consider .biz, .net etc. These are becoming more common and acceptable as .coms and .co.uk are often taken for popular names.
- Avoid using a hyphen in the domain if you can - people often forget to put it in.
What do the various extensions mean?
.com - company
.co.uk - UK company
.org - organisation (usually not for profit)
.org.uk - UK organisation
.net - internet based
.biz - business
.name - personal
.info - information
.tv - media
.mobi - mobile browsing
.eu - European
If you cannot find the domain extension you are looking for on our order form please contact us.
Who are Nominet and ICANN?
Nominet are the organisation who oversee domains ending in .uk. Members of the public do not normally register a domain directly through Nominet but use a Nominet appointed registration agent. When you register a .uk domain you eventually receive a Nominet certificate confirming that you are the registered owner. You then have the option of registering to confirm your details online.
ICANN are the organisation responsible for overseeing all domains including .com, .net etc. ICANN only offer domain services through their appointed agents, one of which is Enom whom Webz4Biz register domains through.
What is a Whois lookup?
Every domain has a Whois record which details the legal owner and registratation agent details of a domain. Individuals have the option of omitting some of their personal details from a Whois lookup. You can do a Whois lookup on any domain by going to our domain registration page, typing in the name of a domain and then clicking on 'Whois' next to the domain name.
I don't know where my domain is. How can I find out?
You can do a whois lookup on our registration page (see above). Look for the registration agent and their website address. You can then contact them directly to ask them to send you a user name and password for your domain name so that you can access it and move it, provided you are the legal owner.
My previous host won't release my domain - is there anything I can do?
First of all you must check that the domain is registered in your name by doing a whois lookup. Then try contacting the registration agent directly to see if they can give you access to the domain. If it is a .uk domain you can transfer the domain through Nominet for a small fee. If this is not an option because, for example, your registration details are incorrect, you could try contacting Nominet disputes. They are more than happy to advise - you can find Nominet's contact details at www.nominet.org. However, if it is a non .uk domain and you have exhausted all other routes your only option is to seek legal advice or register a new domain. You can also refer to ICANN disputes.
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