• What is a domain name?
• Why do I need to register a domain name?
• How will I be able to tell if my desired domain name is already taken?
• What if my desired name is the same as a trademarked name?
• How do I choose a good domain name?
• What are the valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?
• Why are some domain names "On Hold"?
• Why can't I register for a domain that is already expired?

• What is DNS?
• What is domain parking?

• I have registered my domain name, now what?
• Once I have a domain name secured, how long may I use it?
• How do I change the DNS or Contact Information for my domain name?
• Why doesn't my domain show up in whois search?
• I already have a web site at www.yourdomain.com/~me.
  Can I point my domain at it?

• How much does it cost to transfer my domain?
• How long do transfers take?
• Why was my transfer request declined?
• What happens if my transfer is declined?

What is a domain name?

A domain name tells people (and the computers they use) how to find your homepage on the Internet. Each domain name is assigned to a numerical IP (Internet Protocol) address by your host provider. Since people remember names better than numbers, the domain name, eg. www.yourname.com, translates this number into words.

Why do I need to register a domain name?

Most Internet providers offer you a directory on their own domain. Most of the time, they look like this: http://www.domain.com/~yourname. In addition to having to explain the little squiggle mark (~ which is called a tilde) to your less net savvy customers, this can prove cumbersome on business cards and letterheads, plus it does not reflect the unique nature of your business or homepage. Registering a domain name for your business or organization is essential to your marketing efforts. A domain name gives your business a unique identity on the world wide web.

How will I be able to tell if my desired domain name is already taken?

Before registering a domain name you will first have to do a "whois" search to see if your requested domain name is available. If the domain search request returns without a match, you will be able to register that domain name.

What if my desired name is the same as a trademarked name?

Generally, if you've registered the name in good faith, it's not a name belonging to an internationally known company, and you can show that you have a legitimate reason to use that name then you will likely to be able to keep that name. That may not be the case if it can be shown that you purchased the name for the express purpose of re-selling it to a company with a legitimate claim to the name.

How do I choose a good domain name?

Choose a name that reflects the intent and purpose of your web site or business. Try to keep it short and snappy, and say it out loud, as if you were telling someone at a party to visit your web page. Some domain names may look good on paper, but are confusing when you try to send someone to it over the phone. Keep in mind the image that it conjures. Your domain name will be one of the ways people recognize or evaluate their choices of sites for their interests when they are searching via Yahoo or the other search engines. When facing a large number of choices, the snappiest domain sometimes grabs the most attention.

What are the valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?

The only valid characters for a domain name are letters, numbers and a hyphen "-". Other special characters like the underscore "_" or an exclamation mark "!" are NOT permitted.

Example: your name.com (incorrect - no spaces allowed)
Example: your-name.com (is correct)

A domain name can be up to 67 characters long -- including the 4 characters used to identify the Top Level Domain (.NET, .COM, .ORG, or .EDU). Do not type the www. before your domain name when registering.

Why are some domain names "On Hold"?

When searching the "whois" database sometimes a domain name may show a status of "On Hold" if a.) payment for the domain is not current, b.) the domain name is involved in a trademark dispute, or c.) the domain is pending server activation.

Why can't I register for a domain that is already expired?

In some cases, domain names may be kept by Network Solutions even after it has expired because a.) payment for the domain is not current, b.) the domain name is involved in a trademark dispute, or c.) the domain is pending server activation. As long as it is kept by Network Solutions, we will not be able to register it for you. You will have to contact Network Solutions for more information about the domain.

What is DNS?

DNS is an acronym that stands for Domain Name Service. Each domain is assigned a unique numeric address and DNS servers takes care of locating and routing information to the domains so that the world can find you. When you fill out your registration form, we give you the option to park your DNS with us or to specify your own DNS or the DNS of your hosting service. If you already have a website or have found an ISP to host your website, you should use your ISP's DNS servers when registering your domain name.

What is domain parking?

Parking allows you to use our DNS (domain name service) server to hold your domain name until you are ready to use it. A DNS server is required to register a domain name and it is usually your ISP or web hosting provider. But if you do not have an ISP or are not planning to use your domain name yet, you can park your domain with us. To park your domain name, simply leave the DNS information as default when you register and your domain will automatically be parked. This service is free and you can park your domain with us for as long as you wish. Best of all, your parked domain name will be provided an under construction page, free of charge as well.

I have registered my domain name, now what?

After you register your domain, you must find a web hosting company or Internet Service Provider to host your website for you. Some good areas to start are your local ISP, or choose one of the many free web hosting sites available. Some people wish to only reserve their domain name for future use. In that case you need not find an ISP or hosting company.

If you already have a website hosted by an ISP, you can easily set your domain to point to your ISP's DNS so that your existing website will appear when visitors go to your new domain name. If you already have a FREE website somewhere, chances are that your provider will not allow you to point your DNS setting to their server. In this case, you can subscribe to our URL Forwarding service for $25 per year per domain. This service, also known as domain forwarding or IP forwarding, basically allows you to redirect visitors at your domain name (www.yourdomain.com) to another web page address without having to setup a new web-hosting account for your domain name.

Once I have a domain name secured, how long may I use it?

If there are no trademark disputes, your secured domain name will be yours for as long as you maintain the yearly registration fees.

How do I change the DNS or Contact Information for my domain name?

You may change the DNS information for your domain name by accessing the Domain Admin Panel at our homepage. If you have forgotten your password, just click on the Send Password link below the login screen and your password will be emailed to you immediately.

Why doesn't my domain show up in whois search?

You are probably still using the out of date Network Solutions Whois Server for whois queries. This server only lists those domains applied through Network Solutions. Please find a more complete web based whois server at www.nsiregistry.com or modify your UNIX based whois query to do a whois -h whois.registrars.com domainname.com or whois domainname.com@whois.registrars.com to get the complete listing. Also remember that the Whois information for a domain can take up to 48 hours to propagate worldwide, so it may not be visible until then.

I already have a web site at www.yourdomain.com/~me. Can I point my domain at it?

Yes we can do this. This is called URL Forwarding. We charge an annual fee of $15 for URL Forwarding, also known as domain forwarding or IP forwarding. This service basically allows you to redirect traffic for your domain name (www.yourdomain.com) to another web page address without having to setup a new web-hosting account for your domain name. You will be able to sign up for URL Forwarding through our Domain Admin Panel, which you will have access to after you register your domain.

How much does it cost to transfer my domain?

Transfers are charged $25 USD and is inclusive of a one year renewal fee. This means that any remaining time you have left on your current registration will be transfered and one year will be added to your current expiry date.

How long do transfers take?

It takes up to 10 business days for transfers to complete as authorization is required from both Network Solutions and yourself. Once a domain transfer is requested, your current registrar will be notified and they will send an email requesting transfer authorization to the Administrative Contact on your current domain record. If you authorize their request promptly, the transfer process could take as little as 3 days to complete.

Why was my transfer request declined?

Transfers are declined if you do not authorize the email sent to your domain's Administrative Contact. If, for whatever reason, you do not have access to the email address listed as the Administrative Contact on your domain, you will have to contact your current registrar directly to authorize the release of your domain.

What happens if my transfer is declined?

If for whatever reason we are unable to transfer your domain after 30 days, you may request for a full refund by emailing us your domain name plus the first and last four numbers on your credit card to Domains@HostingKey.com (note: for security reasons, please do NOT send us the entire card number).