Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Question
What does it mean to "register" a domain name?
Answer
When you register a domain name, you are inserting an entry into a directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on the Internet.
Question
How do I register a domain name?
Answer
Domain names ending with .aero, .biz, .com, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .net, .org, or .pro can be registered through many different companies (known as "registrars") that compete with one another.
The registrar you choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be required to enter a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained.
Question
Will my name and contact information be publicly available?
Answer
Information about who is responsible for domain names is publicly available to allow rapid resolution of technical problems and to permit enforcement of consumer protection, trademark, and other laws. The registrar will make this information available to the public on a "Whois" site. It is however possible to register a domain in the name of a third party, as long as they agree to accept responsibility -- ask your registrar for further details.
Question
How long does a registration last? Can it be renewed?
Answer
Each registrar has the flexibility to offer initial and renewal registrations in one-year increments, with a total registration period limit of ten years.
Question
Can I change registrars after registering a domain name?
Answer
Yes, you may change the registrar sponsoring your domain name (60 days after intial registration.) For details on the transfer process, contact the registrar you would like to assume sponsorship of the registration.
Question
I'm not exactly sure what a web host is. Can you please explain?
Answer
A web host is a company that provides you with server space for your web site. This includes all of the files associated with your web site. When your web address is typed into a browser, the web host displays your pages.
Question
I have been considering hosting my site with a free hosting company, but I'm a little concerned with their reliability. Can you shed some light?
Answer
NEVER host an ecommerce web site with a free hosting service. These services are highly unreliable and couldn't care less if your site goes down. Their main concern is with their advertisers. As long as their ads are up and running, for the most part, they couldn't care less about you or your site. In addition, sites hosted with free services look very unprofessional. If you've taken the time to get your own website designed and your own domain name, why would you risk your success and host with a free service? It's just not worth it.
Question
I see some hosts offering "unlimited bandwidth". Why don't you offer this?
Answer
Technically speaking, there is no such thing as "unlimited bandwidth". Someone has to pay for the traffic somewhere - and if you check the fine print of some service agreements from companies who claim to offer unlimited bandwidth, you'll probably find that they do charge for traffic over a certain amount. We dispense with the fine print.
Question
What do Autoresponders do and are they included?
Answer
An autoresponder is similar to an alias, but it also will send an automatic reply back to the sender. Autoresponders are included with all accounts and are configurable through the control panel, but remember that if you get sent spam then you are sending an auto response back to the spammer which could mean you get even more spam.
Question
How long will it take for my web hosting account to be setup?
Answer
All web hosting accounts are activated within 24 hours, because we try to stop our servers being used for spamming we check every application for correct details and we sometime contact the customer using those details.
Question
How long will it take for my new domain name to become active?
Answer
Domains are registered as soon as you order them, however it can take between 24 and 72 hours for them to become visible on the Internet. This can be due to Domain propagation.
Question
What is Domain Propergation?
Answer
This answer will explain what propagation is, and how it will affect your domain after it is registered or transferred between providers.
''DNS propagation'' is a term to describe the updating of information across the Internet. It takes two forms: changes to your DNS Zone and changes to your WHOIS information.
A change to your DNS Zone information typically affects only a handful of servers, and completes much more quickly. However, the WHOIS is the master record which tells every DNS server in the world the server for your domain. A change to your WHOIS information (such as updating contact information) can take up to 72 hours to propagate fully.
Customers often call us to say that they can't see their domain names straight after ordering them, or just after a transfer between providers. After either of these two events your domain name/website may not be visible for up to 48 hours, mainly because millions of DNS servers need to be updated with the new information.
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