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Domain FAQ
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Domain
Speculation
Buying a
Domain
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a method of remembering specific web sites on the internet,
usually a word or phrase that brings to mind one's person, business, service or
product. Once a person or company pays the fees associated with registering a
domain name, they "own" the domain until they give or sell it to
someone else, or until they fail to pay the maintenance fee that is require
after the initial registration period.
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How long can a domain name be?
Until the Fall of 1999, a domain name was limited to 22 characters, but the
rules have changed to allow domains with 63 characters.
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What characters can I use in a domain?
You are limited to using alpha-numeric characters, and the hyphen (and the
hyphen can't be the first or last character of the domain).
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What makes a domain valuable?
The value of a domain is determined by several factors:
- length
- how long is the domain; is it short, sweet and memorable?
- characters
- does the domain includes any numbers or hyphens? Certain names work well
with hyphens, such as science-fiction.
- brand -
is the domain or anything similar to it already being used in the industry?
Is the domain likely to confuse visitors? A strong, clear domain free of
ties to other sites/businesses is the most valuable.
- generic
or specific - is the domain name generic, likely to appeal to a wide
audience (music.com), or is it specific, and likely to only appeal to those
interested in the subject/business (bodypiercing.com).
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DOMAIN
SPECULATION
I've heard that domains are placed on "hold" if they
are not paid for, among other reasons. If they are not paid, they are released
into the marketplace again. How can I find domains that are on hold so I can
prepare to purchase them as soon as they are released?
You can't tell by looking at the whois record.The Domain
Monitoring Service lets you do this. It lets you place specific domains on
monitoring status, whereupon you will be immediately contacted should the domain
name become available.
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If I want to buy a domain from someone that currently owns it,
how do I contact them?
You can look up their information using a whois service, which usually shows
their email address and phone number. Of course you can always try to find their
email address on their web site, if it is active.
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If
someone wants to buy a domain I own, what do I have to do to transfer it?
You will have to follow the directions given by your domain registrar.
Typically, you will submit a form to the registrar which has been signed and
notarized by both the buyer and seller. The domain will be deleted and
re-registered by the new owner, with a hold on the domain so that no third party
can purchase it in the mean time.
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Once
you buy a domain, do you own it forever?
No, you are basically "renting" the domain. Registrars have a minimum
two year registration period, though some are offering variable registration
periods now. Once the initial period is over, you will pay a "Right To Use
Licensing Fee" to keep the domain. If you fail to pay it, you relinquish
the domain, and becomes available for others to buy.
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How can I tell if a domain is available?
Use any of the popular whois tools that are available, such as the one present
on the nsi.com home page. Most registrars and domain registration companies have
a lookup form available for your use.
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What if the domain I want is already taken?
Unless the domain owner is in violation of your current copyright or trademark,
then you have no choice but to offer to purchase the domain from the owner, and
failing that, find a different domain name.
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Doesn't interNIC or the company that registers the domain check
to make sure that you're not violating anyone's trademark when you register the
domain.
No, it's not their responsibility, it's the domain buyer's. If you are unsure
you can always check a US
trademark or a Canadian
trademark
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Can I register a domain, and then hold it until I am ready to
use it?
The answer is yes, but you will have to provide two distinct domain name servers
(DNS) for your domain name when you register. If you do not have a host or
server in mind for your domain, most registrars provide a "parking"
service, some for free, some for an additional fee.
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Do I have to pay for a domain up front, or can I be billed?
Until recently, interNIC allowed folks to be billed for domains, but that
resulted in too much domain speculation. Now they, and most other registrars,
have implimented a "pay up front" system of registration.
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Can I register a domain myself, or do I have to go through an
ISP or web host?
You can register the domain yourself, and save yourself some fees; just visit
any domain registrar's site. You'll need to know several things, such as the
primary and secondary DNS (Domain Name Server) name and IP address of the server
you intend to host your domain on, and your host's NIC ID, if they are to be the
technical or admin contacts for the domain. If you intend to be the admin,
technical, billing and zone contact for your domain, all you will need to know
if the DNS info. Use the DNS entries from that domain name. Most registrars also
provide domain "parking" services in which you can use their own DNS
servers for your domain, although some may charge a fee for this service.
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Once I register a domain, can anyone look up my registration
information using whois? Should I use my personal address and phone number?
Yes, the public has access to that information, so you may want to use your
business address or PO Box. Although most registrars do not verify your contact
information, (other than your email address), it is a good idea to use a valid
address for your contact info.
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Did it always cost $70 to register a domain name?
Until mid-1995 it was free to register a domain name. Although many domains were
already taken, there were still a slew of valuable domains available back then.
After 1995 the cost was $100 per 2-year registration period, and eventually the
price dropped to the current $70 per 2-year period.
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How do I register myname.adomain.com?
Answer: That is called a subdomain. You have to contact your web host's
administrator and have them add the subdomain name you want to their DNS table,
and then point it to the IP address of the machine which will handle calls to
that subdomain. If you're using Virtual Hosting, with multiple domains on the
same machine/web server, the admin will have to add it to the web server's
configuration. The bottom line is that you don't "buy" a subdomain in
the same fashion as a domain.
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