Web Design, Internet and Computer Security Resources
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Domain Name Information
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For ease of use, this page is divided into two parts. In the General Background section you'll learn things like: what domain names are, how they work, and how to choose one.
ˇ What if Someone has Already Registered my Business Name?
General Background
The Domain Name System (DNS) on the Internet is set up using a numbering system. Each address looks something like this, "215.95.65.614." A domain name is a unique alpha-numeric name used to identify a particular IP (Internet Protocol) address (or computer) on the Internet. The purpose of a domain name is to allow Internet ordinary users to find web sites by using a "mnemonic" device like a familiar name, instead of having to memorize the IP addresses that serve as the routing system on the Internet.
A top level domain (TLD) is the suffix that is attached to the end of a domain name. For example, in the domain name azwebgroup.com, ".com" is the TLD. There are two types of TLDs: global and country code. Global TLDs were created for use by the Internet public. The Global Top Level Domains are: .com, .net, .org, .edu, .gov, and .mil. Country Code TLDs were created for each country to use as it chooses. Examples of Country Code TLDs are: .co.uk (United Kingdom), .tv (Tuvalu), .be (Belgium) and .ca (Canada).
The most common domain names end in .com, .net, and .org. It is intended that commercial and personal sites use ".com", Internet infrastructure sites should use ".net", and ".org" should be used by non-profit organizations. The only valid characters for naming a domain are letters, numbers and the hyphen ("-"). Special characters like the underscore ("_"), and "!", or "&" are not permitted. Names cannot contain spaces and cannot begin or end with a hyphen. Case (UPPER or lower) is irrelevant ("www.AZwebgroup.com" is the same as "www.azwebgroup.com"). Domain names can be up to 67 characters long (including the TLD).
NOTE: Although most web browsers support 67 character domain names; certain web browsers, email programs and other Internet related programs may not support domain names over 26 characters in total length.
Registering a domain name involves the assignment of three elements to the newly created domain. First is the owner, or "registrant." Second are the agents who act on behalf of the owner, or "contacts." The contacts handle administrative issues (administrative contact, billing contact, and technical contact). Typically, the owner acts as the administrative and billing contact (this is preferable) and your registrar (who you purchase the domain name from) or web host acts as the technical contact.
Third is the "location" for the domain. When you register a domain name, you or your organization become the legal holder (registrant) or owner of that name. There is no gray area here... If a name is available and you purchase it, it is yours to keep. Your information is entered into the Shared Registration System (SRS) database. The SRS is a single, publicly available directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on the Internet. It prevents a successfully registered domain name from being registered again through another registrar. Take note; the ultimate responsibility for registering your domain name and/or modifying your registration records to reflect your domain's location on the Internet lies with you.
Once a domain name is registered, it doesn't have to be associated with an active site. You can "park" it, or keep it "reserved." All that means is that you have "staked your claim" for business or personal reasons and may, or may not, use it in the future. When the time comes, it is easy to go to your registrar and change the DNS information on any of your domains at any time if you want to get a domain name hosted, or change hosts for a domain with an existing site.
Currently, anyone can register as many names as they want to and sit on them forever. As long the annual payments on the name are kept up (and there are no trademark disputes), the owner can do with it as they choose. You can use it for your own business, or sell it to another party. Typically, if a name is purchased and not used, the registrar provides an "under construction" page for use when someone looks for that domain. Keep in mind that you do not have to have a separate website for each name you register. In addition to owning more than one site, you also have the option to "point" several domain names to a single website (kind of like the Internet equivalent of call forwarding).
Most people buy their business name in order to protect it from being used by anyone else (and then build their own site). ALWAYS DO THIS! Even though you may also register a "keyword" type of name, it is to your benefit to protect your business name. It also can be used for all your offline marketing needs, such as your letterhead and business cards.
Avoid a domain name similar to one already in use. Not only do you want to avoid legal issues; you don't want to accidentally drive traffic to another site. With this in mind, it is also common practice for people to purchase common misspellings of their domain name, in addition to corporate slogans.
Try to choose a short and snappy name that reflects the intent and purpose of your web site or business. Make sure that if you say it out loud to someone, that they could go and find it without confusion. If you have to write down your domain name for someone to understand it, it's probably not a good choice. Keep in mind the image that your domain name conjures. When an Internet user is at a search site staring at a list of sites to choose from, the one with the catchiest, most direct name sometimes grabs the most attention.
Last, and most important; when you find the domain name you want, REGISTER IT IMMEDIATELY! Though it seldom happens, it certainly is possible that your domain name could be taken the next time you look for it. Don't make yourself suffer through that disappointment.
Initially, there were just a few registrars. Now there are many. Each registrar sets the price it charges for registering names. Prices vary significantly among them with the most expensive priced around $35 per year. Most registrars offer the option to register a name for multiple years at a discounted rate. As pricing is not locked in, you may save money in the long run by purchasing a multi-year registration now. In addition, some sites offer discounted or free registration in conjunction with other services like web hosting.
The registrar that we recommend to use is Network Solutions. There are other registrars out there, some big, some small. At $35 per year per domain name for registration, Network Solutions is not the cheapest. They offer greatly reduced prices when you register a domain for more than one year. You can find places to register your name for under $10 if you want. Although a name is a name, is a name... we believe you get what you pay for when you register with "Brand X," or let someone else register for you. ($35 per year is not a lot of money when you consider the quality of service they offer.) Network Solutions has been a major player in the domain industry from the beginning. If you register with Network Solutions, chances of them going under and dragging your domain name into murky legal waters is slim. If you are still interested in guidance on other registrars, we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Beware of "free" domain name registration services. As you know, not many things are really free and domain names are no exception. Most sites that offer "free domain name registration" offer just that. They send your information to the registrar, who in turn sends you a bill. So while the registration service may be free, you still have to pay for your domain name. In addition, some domain name service providers will register the domain you order with your name in the "name" field and their company name as the registrant. This legally makes you a user instead of the owner of the domain.
Do yourself a favor and register on your own. It's easy to do, you get to choose your own registrar, and there are no middleman catches or fine print. If you're one of our clients, we'll be happy to assist you.
Checking Availability & Acquiring your Domain
To find out if your domain name is available, visit the Network Solutions website and enter the name of the domain you would like in the box on their home page. If it's available, we recommend you buy it immediately. All you'll have to provide is your personal or company contact information, and your credit card data. You won't have to specify DNS or IP information. Default information that you can edit later will be supplied for you. The process is very simple. They'll walk you right through it.
Normal time for a new domain name under .com, .net or .org to be available for use is 72 hours. This time is necessary for your information to be placed into the Shared Registration System database. Your registration is processed quickly so that in minutes, the domain name is yours.
What do you do if the name you want to register under .com is already taken? You should try to use a slight variation on the name (Network Solutions will provide you with a list of available alternatives), think up a new name, or try under .net, .biz, or .info. If you are only interested in one domain, Network Solutions also provides links for making an offer on a previously registered domain.
What if you want to find out who owns a particular domain name? To find contact information associated with a registered domain name, you perform a WHOIS query at the Network Solutions site by clicking here.
What if you want to change your domain name? Sorry, the truth is you bought it, you own it. Once it is registered, it is unchangeable (so don't make any typos). Your options are to let your ownership claim to it lapse at the end of your registration period by not renewing (and be done with it), or you can put it up for sale. Meanwhile, you can register the domain name you currently are interested in and stop using the one you don't want.
You may be able to directly negotiate with the current registrant of the domain to find out if they are willing to give up the domain, or sell it to you. It is not uncommon for domain names to change hands for a few hundred or few thousand dollars. If they are unwilling to give up the name, and you believe they are infringing on your registered trademark or copyright for your business name, then you may file a domain name dispute with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Learn more by clicking here.
It may also be advisable to seek legal help by contacting your attorney. All ICANN-accredited registrars follow a uniform dispute resolution policy. Under this policy, disputes over entitlement to a domain name registration are usually resolved through court litigation between the parties claiming rights to the registration. Once the court has ruled on who is entitled to the registration, the registrar implements the ruling.
In disputes arising from registrations allegedly made abusively (such as "cybersquatting" and "cyberpiracy"), the uniform dispute resolution policy provides an expedited administrative procedure that allows the dispute to be resolved without the costs and delays often encountered in court litigation. In these cases, you can invoke the administrative procedure by filing a complaint with one of the dispute resolution service providers listed with ICANN by clicking here.
To avoid the trouble of legal battle, most large corporations are now registering all variants of their company name as domain names. Some own upwards of 600 variations of their name, sadly including even names like "www.ourcorporationsucks.com." We recommend that you register the .com, .net, and .org domains for your company name, and also register both hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the domains for maximum protection of your business name from third party registration.
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