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Domain Name FAQ
-- "Domain names are also
known as Internet addresses or Web addresses, and serve as your
on-line identity"
Host2Host hopes this page will
clear up your Domain name questions up for you! In the following sections of this
FAQ we have done the
best we can to explain the process in plain English, provide examples
that make sense, and answer most of your questions about Domain names.
However, if you have any questions left
unanswered after reading through this page, please feel free to send
an Email to us at
info@host2host.com
detailing your problem. We will do our best to get an answer back to
you within 24 hours. Please remember that Host2Host
customers
require only a basic knowledge of the Domain name process, memorizing
this page is unnecessary... as registering, managing and maintaining
your Domain name is one of the many value added services that Host2Host
offers its customers for free! Once you have a basic
understanding of Domain names, all you need to do is decide what
Domain name you want and register it, then contact us for hosting service
and Host2Host
will handle the rest.
Notes: Some active hyperlinks below
open in a new browser window when it is appropriate, this helps some
visitors from loosing their place on this page.
Some of the "hyperlinks" to dummy addresses on the page
below are not active hyperlinks, they are just text formatted to look
like one.
(i.e.: http://www.dummyaddress.com
if you pass your cursor over or click on the URL to the left you will
see it is inactive)
This FAQ covers the TLDs
".com" ".org" ".net" ".info" ".ws" ".biz" ".us"
... for information on
other TLDs click here.
Table
of Contents
What is a Domain
name?
What is a URL?
What is an IP
address?
What
is a TLD? and/or What do .COM, .NET and .ORG signify in a Domain
name?
What
does "hosting" my Domain name mean?
Why
should I register a Domain name?
What is
a Domain name registration?
Where
are Domain names registered?
Who can
register Domain names?
What
are the rules for creating a Domain name?
What is a GOOD
Domain name?
How
can I determine if the Domain name I want is available?
What
if the name I want to use is already taken?
Should
I reserve my Domain name today?
Do
I have to use the .com TLD if it is available?
What
should I do if I am planning to start an organization in the future
but I want to reserve a Domain name now?
Once
a Domain is registered, who "owns" the Domain name?
What
is Domain name parking, and what does it do?
Can
I park my Domain name on your servers? Is there a fee?
I
have an existing Web site, how can I use new Domain names with my
old Web site without loosing existing traffic?
OK,
I am ready to get started! What do I do?
How
long will it take to process my Domain name registration?
How do I
use my new Domain name?
I
have secured my Domain name and have decided to host with Host2Host, how will I publish my pages to my new virtual server?
Where
will my Domain name reside after I become a Host2Host
customer?
Will you
advertise on my site?
HELP!
I'm still lost after reading this FAQ. Who do I contact?
... what is a Domain
name? Table
of Contents
... A Domain name is an Internet address. (i.e. host2host.com)
Ownership of it is similar to a customized license plate or a phone
number; no one really "owns" it, but they have
exclusive rights to it as long as they continue to pay the fees
associated with it. A Domain name setup through Host2Host
allows you to send and receive e-mail, post a Web site and/or host
an FTP site at your Domain name. These are just a few of the most
common uses for a Domain name.
If your business name is Widgets, Inc., you could register the
Domain name "WIDGETS.COM" and your e-mail address could be
owner@widgets.com or whatever
else you would like it to be. Anyone with a modern Web browser could
visit your Web site by typing "www.widgets.com", "widgets.com." Domains can have other Top
Level Domain (TLD) extensions .NET, .ORG, .US, .BIZ, etc.
... what is a URL? Table
of Contents
... The "http://" and/or the "www." that
precedes your Domain name after a visitor loads your site in a Web
browser are not part of your Domain name. They are part of another
type of Internet address used on the World Wide Web called a
Universal Resource Locator (URL). A URL is used to describe the
exact location of a specific resource on the Internet such as a
specific Web site, computer or server. Therefore, "widgets.com"
is a Domain name while www.widgets.com or http://www.widgets.com are URLs. A URL is really a
string of information that lets people and software quickly locate
specific sites on the Internet. Every URL is unique, no two are
exactly alike. It is a description of a computer's location on the
Internet much like your home address describes your location within
the city you live in.
Examples of URLs are: http://www.host2host.com
and http://host2host.com
... what is an IP
address? Table
of Contents
... An IP address is the equivalent of an Internet phone number,
every machine connected to the Internet must have one so it can send
and retrieve data. Host2Host
assigns your Domain name a number when it is setup as a virtual server. The IP
address belongs to Host2Host
and is non-transferable. An example of an IP address is:
216.117.164.247
http://host2host.com is http://216.117.164.247
... i.e. clicking on either URL brings up the same Web site, the
number 216.117.164.247 is Host2Host's
IP number.
... what
is a TLD? and/or What do .COM, .NET and .ORG signify in a Domain name?
Table
of Contents
... .COM, .NET and .ORG are Top Level Domains (TLD) in the Domain
Name System (DNS). Anyone may register Domain names in .COM, .NET
and .ORG. In fact, the best way to protect the uniqueness of your
on-line identity and brand is to register Domain names in all of the
TLDs. .COM is the Web address most frequently associated with
businesses and is the easiest one for your visitors to find. From
Fortune 500 companies and large corporations to home-based
businesses and one man operations, most sites worldwide use a .COM
address.
... what
does "hosting" my Domain name mean? Table
of Contents
... Every Web site must reside on a host computer and each Domain name must be
directed to the same. Some
refer to this type of computer as a Domain Name Host or as an HTTP
Server. HTTP Servers are almost always directly connected to the
Internet with a permanent connection and use special servers (Nameservers) to
translate Domain names into the numerical addresses (IP addresses)
used by the Internet. When Internet users enter your Domain name
into their browser's address bar, the Nameservers route the request and the HTTP Server sends them your Web site's
files. Without a hosting service, your Domain name is invisible on
the Internet.
... why
should I register a Domain name? Table
of Contents
... Your Domain name is what customers use to access your products
and services on-line, and will serve as the core of your Internet
identity. Many organizations find it useful to have a Domain name or
e-mail address that is the same or similar to their company name or
a product they specialize in. If your organization's name is Widgets,
Inc., you could register the Domain name WIDGETS.COM and your e-mail
address could be whatever@widgets.com.
Your customers would also be able to access your organization's Web
site by visiting "www.widgets.com" or "widgets.com"
with their Web browser.
... what
is a Domain name registration? Table
of Contents
... When Domain names are registered they become entries in a
database in which the Domain name is identified for your use as long
as the registration is in effect. An entry for a Domain name can
include;
| Registrant |
"Owner" |
| Admin. Contact |
"Trusted Person or
Group" |
| Tech. Contact |
"Trusted Person or
Group" |
| Billing Contact |
"Owner" |
...and at least two computers, known
as nameservers, so your visitors can find you on the Internet. Host2Host
customers use the following nameservers when
registering a Domain name;
NS0.HOST2HOST.COM
&
NS1.HOST2HOST.COM
However, if you register your Domain name from a Host2Host
Web
page the nameserver information is pre-entered for
you.
If you are using a free one-page website, parking, forwarding or masking a
Domain registered through Host2Host
use the following nameservers;
PARK5.SECURESERVER.NET
&
PARK6.SECURESERVER.NET
... where
are Domain names registered? Table
of Contents
... Domain names can be registered at a variety of places on the
Internet. We suggest you shop around and find a place you can
register names at discounted rates. You can register Domains with an accredited registrar we have partnered
with, at rates as low as $6.95 per year! Network Solutions charges
$34.99 per year for the same service. Be careful that you never pay
more than $17.00us for a two year registration of a .com, .org or .net TLD.
If you need to register a Domain name that is not a
".com" ".org" ".net" ".cc"
".info" ".ws" ".biz" or ".us"
TLD see our Special
Domains FAQ.
... who can
register Domain names? Table
of Contents
... Anyone or any organization can register a TLD.
You must apply at various places to register special TLDs, each type has
different qualifications see our Special
Domains FAQ for additional information.
... what
are the rules for creating a Domain name? Table
of Contents
... A Domain name can be can be up to 26 characters long* including
the four characters used to identify the TLD, i.e.:
.COM, .NET or .ORG
Letters and numbers are always valid characters in a Domain name.
Hyphens "-" may also be used, but may not begin nor end
your Domain name. Spaces and special characters, such as exclamation
points "!" and underscores "_", are not
permitted in Domain names. Domain names are not case sensitive, for
example: http://WWW.host2host.com
http://HOST2HOST.com http://Host2Host.com
HTTP://host2host.COM all bring up
the same Web site in a browser window.
* Host2Host
has been notified that
Top Level Domains up to 63 characters long, including the suffix,
are now supported. However, to date, no client has requested a
Domain longer than 26 characters, so this is currently untested
ground. To quote the RFC, "The labels must follow the rules for
ARPANET host names. They must start with a letter, end with a letter
or digit, and have as interior characters only letters, digits, and
hyphens. There are also some restrictions on the length. Labels must
be 63 characters or less." See:
ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1035.txt
Host2Host
does not recommend long Domain names.
... what is a
GOOD Domain name? Table
of Contents
... That all depends what your situation calls for... all "GOOD"
Domain names are short, fit well with the business or organization
name or product offered and are "catchy" ... easy to
remember.
Businesses should strive for a .com TLD, non-profit
organizations should get a .org TLD and companies involved with
Internet infrastructure should opt for the .net TLD.
Ideally, register "yourbusinessname.com"
... but, unfortunately, it does not always work that way.
... how
can I determine if the Domain name I want is available? Table
of Contents
... It's easy to find out if the name you want is available. Simply
enter your desired Domain name in the text entry box on this page
and click the "Search" button.
We'll tell you if the name you want is available, and we will suggest some good alternatives if you cannot register your first
choice. If you continue and complete your Domain name registration the "nameservers"
information will be entered for you in advance, this is an
excellent cost effective resource for customers who know they are going to host
with Host2Host
or just want to "park" a Domain name
registration for hosting later. If you choose to use a different
hosting provider later, just change the nameservers after logging into your account
management page.
... what
if the name I want to use is already taken? Table
of Contents
... It means that someone on the Internet has already secured that
name for his or her own site, and that name is probably gone. In
some legal cases involving Trademark disputes, Domains have been
recovered. However, the odds are very good that the company or
individual (that is the current registrant) has a valid legal claim
to the Domain name. If this is the case, use the tool referred to in
the example above... you can try a slight variation of the name,
think up a new one or register the same name with a different TLD.
... should
I reserve my Domain name today? Table
of Contents
...
Yes, even if you are not ready to do business on the Internet right now, you
will want to make sure that your online brand and identity are available for
your use later when you are ready. Given the rate at which new Domain names are
being registered today, if you register yours immediately, it will be not one
moment too soon. Since Host2Host
lets you "park" the Domain for
free, right now would be the very best time! Click
Here to register yours now.
... do
I have to use the .com TLD if it is available? Table
of Contents
... No, you do not have to use it. However, the .com TLD is the
extension of choice if you are a business and you want visitors to
be able to find your site easily. In addition to the TLD
".com" you can also choose from any of the other TLDs that
Host2Host
supports:
".com" ".org" ".net" ".cc"
".info" ".ws" ".biz" ".us"
and more --> Click here to see a FAQ on
alternate TLDs.
... what
should I do if I am planning to start an organization in the future
but I want to reserve a Domain name now? Table
of Contents
... If you are planning on starting an organization or company but
do not have an official business name established yet, simply
register your desired Domain name under your personal name as the
"registrant" from Host2Host
to
"park" it on our nameservers and reserve it. Host2Host
staff will help you change the Domain record later to reflect your
new business name as the "registrant" after it has been
established. Remember, all Domain registrations will result in
yearly fees from the registrar.
... once
a Domain is registered, who "owns" the Domain name? Table
of Contents
... No one "owns" a Domain name registration any more than
someone "owns" a telephone number. It is the registrant to
whom the Domain name is registered that has permission to use the
Domain name. If you would like to know who the registrant / owner of a
particular Domain name is, enter the Domain name in the
WhoIs
section of this site. After the Domain name shows to be taken, simply click on the
"(already taken, click here for info)" link and you will
be shown additional information.
... what
is Domain name parking, and what does it do? Table
of Contents
... Each Domain name registration must have two nameservers
attached. You cannot register a Domain name without them and you
cannot use another businesses or organizations nameservers without
expressed permission. Some companies charge a fee to
"park" an unhosted Domain name on their nameservers until
the client decides who they are going to use as a host, Host2Host
does not charge for this service.
... can
I park my Domain name on your servers? Is there a fee? Table
of Contents
... Yes, you can park your Domain name registration(s) on Host2Host
servers, there are no fees for this service! If you
register your Domain name from Host2Host
your Domain
name will point to our nameservers automatically, this feature makes it easy for
you to park a Domain name without the required technical nameserver
information. Your Domain name can reside on our nameservers for as
long as you wish, until you contract with Host2Host
for hosting,
or until you choose another hosting service and move the Domain name
there.
... I
have an existing Web site, how can I use new Domain names with my old
Web site without loosing existing traffic? Table
of Contents
... Host2Host
offers two services which point new Domain name(s)
to an existing Web site, with one the site must be on the Host2Host
network, so if you have service through another
provider we will need to move the old Domain here first, with the other... TLDs
registered through our Website or transferred to us can be forwarded. This
service allows you to register the Domain name(s) of your choice,
i.e.: www.morewidgets.com, and have the additional Domain names
mapped to your current Web site, i.e.: www.widgets.com. There are no extra
fees for these services. These services can be requested by e-mailing
us at
info@host2host.com,
please include a complete list of all Domain names to be mapped to
the same site and we will give you assistance in redirecting them.
... OK,
I am ready to get started! What do I do? Table
of Contents
... Register your Domain as soon as possible, then follow the instructions at
http://host2host.com/checklist.html
to sign up for hosting service.
... how
long will it take to process my Domain name registration? Table
of Contents
... The Domain registration is complete as soon as you receive
notice from the registrar. This generally takes just a few minutes. Once the database at the registrar has been updated, the
information in the database is shared with the Internet's zone files
world wide; this sharing process is called "propagation."
The zone files are propagated with new information daily, seven days
a week, 365 days a year. We cannot control the rate at which the
nameservers on the Internet are updated, but your
update should be visible everywhere on the Internet sometime within 24 - 48
hours.
... how do I
use my new Domain name? Table
of Contents
... Once you have completed the Domain name registration process,
the next step is setting up your hosting service. With Host2Host
there are several hosting plans available,
if you are unsure of which plan best suits your needs, start
small... then upgrade your service as your needs grow. Once you have
decided on a plan, visit http://host2host.com/checklist.html
and follow the instructions there to sign up for your hosting
service.
... I
have secured my Domain name and have decided to host with Host2Host, how will I publish my pages to my new virtual server?
Table
of Contents
... Securing a Domain name and contracting a hosting service are the
first two of many steps to establishing your identity on the
Internet. Typically, there are several more steps (some
of which you may have already completed)
you must perform before you can publish your Web site on the
Internet. After Host2Host
sets up your space on a server, the files for your Web site must be created and
uploaded to the server for your site to become functional, this can be done one
of four ways (FTP "file transfer protocol", using the browser based
control panel we provide you, Macromedia's Contribute or Microsoft's FrontPage),
here is how to weigh your options.
Do you have a staff person at your place of business that is
proficient with an office suite such as Microsoft Office or programs
such as WordPerfect? There is a Web authoring tool available called
Microsoft FrontPage that allows you to design your own pages quickly
and easily, it works very similar to a word processor. If you do
have such an employee; request that FrontPage extensions be
installed on your server, this is a popular option for
creating a Web site on a budget. Host2Host
installs the
extensions for free. Step-by-step instructions for
logging in to your new FrontPage server space is sent via e-mail to
you or the staff person of your choice. Support is also available by
phone.
If no such staff person exists, or if your site will be more
complicated, you will want to contract with an outside company to
create your Web site for you. This can be an expensive proposition
for a small business. Prices for a nicely designed Web site can vary
from approximately $500 on the lower end to $5,000+ for a larger,
more complicated site involving shopping carts, multimedia and/or
database integration. Such an arrangement will require you to
contract with the same person who designed your site to keep your
site updated and current, you can expect to see fees of $25 to $50
per hour for updates and changes to a finished design. If the latter
case is your only option, we can provide your FTP and/or FrontPage
access to the designer of your choice so they can upload and manage the files
for you.
... where
will my Domain name reside after I become a Host2Host
customer?
Table
of Contents
... Your Domain name will mapped with DNS through Host2Host
nameservers and a test page will be put up for your visitors until
you post your new site. If you just park the Domain and do not order
service, the Domain is only associated with our nameservers... a
test page will not come up.
... will you
advertise on my site? Table
of Contents
... No, it is Host2Host policy to avoid any reference
to any Domains other than yours on your server space. You can later
choose to reference Host2Host
or post your own advertising at
your discretion.
... HELP!
I'm still lost after reading this FAQ. Who do I contact? Table
of Contents
... Send an e-mail to
us at
info@host2host.com
regarding your
unanswered Domain name registration question. Please provide as
detailed an explanation of your question as you can. A Host2Host
staff person will contact you within one working day.
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