A Domain Name points to a web site the internet. All web sites have a special address (called an DNS address) which is used to locate them on the internet. Web site addresses normally look like a series of numbers separated by dots. A domain name contains an easily remembered name, followed by a dot and an extension such as com, org, net, biz, info and others. Your visitors can type in your domain name instead of a series of numbers in their web browser to see your web site.
How much does a Domain Name cost?
Generally our domain names can cost $9.99 per year. We do offer free domain names with the purchase of a web hosting plan. Also, if the domain name that you want is already owned by someone else you may have an option to purchase it from the owner or bid on it in an auction. Under these circumstances a domain name could cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
What kind of Domain Name should I buy?
Whenever possible, you should always purchase the .com version of the domain name. However, if the .ca, .net and .biz versions are available and it is feasible, you should purchase these too. Also, be aware that one of your competitors may buy the same domain name as you, adding hyphens to make it unique, and that some of your customers may end up at his site by accident.
To guard against this, it is a wise idea to purchase any and all variations of your domain name. For example, if your domain name was www.nightlights.com, you will want to purchase www.night-lights.com, www.nitelites.com, as well as www.nightlights.net and www.nightlights.ca if available and applicable to your particular industry.
Why is an effective Domain Name is important?
Think of your domain name as your address, which in reality, it is. If no one knew the address to your house, how would you get your mail? How would service people be able to arrive for repair work? How could you direct people to your house in an emergency situation if you had no address? In the same way, having an ineffective domain name will not serve the intended purpose of directing visitors to your site. Having a keyword rich domain name is effective, and will also help in Seach Engine Marketing.
Having any old domain name will just not do these days; you must have one that is effective. If the domain name you desire has already been taken, keep checking on it as the owner may wish to sell it, or it may soon be expiring and you could get it for a decent price.
How can I lose my existing Domain Name?
If you register a domain name that is a registered trade-name or trade-mark then the corporation or individual that owns the right to the name can challenge you for ownership. There has been precedence in the Calgary area where companies have had to relinquish their domain names to trade-name owners. It is a good idea to check your company name and domain name to ensure that they do not violate another companies trade-name or trade-mark.
The other way to lose a domain name is to register the domain name with an email address that is not carefully managed. The email address that you register your domain name with is key to the control of your domain name. If you register your own domain name, ensure that you guard your email address. If you lose control of the email address associated to your domain you will not receive automated renewal reminders for your annual domain registration. You may lose your domain name. We always ensure that this will never happen to you as our client. With our domain name registration services we manage you domain name for you, from the yearly renewal to hiding your private information, we ensure that your domain name is protected.
What characters can I use when registering a domain name?
You can use the characters a-z and 0-9 (in any combination). You can also use hyphens (-), although your domain name cannot start or end with a hyphen. You cannot use any other characters, nor should you use punctuation.
Can I register an all-numeric domain name?
Yes.
What's the minimum number of characters in a domain name?
Most domain name extensions require a minimum of 2 characters for a domain name, although a few countries have set higher minimums for names registered under their extension.
Somebody else has already registered the domain name I wanted. What can I do?
You can offer to buy the name off its current owner, or look for an alternative domain name. If your company holds a trademark on the terms in the domain name, it may be worth seeking legal advice about the possibility of recovering your domain name.
I registered a domain name, but I made a mistake while registering and registered the wrong name/changed my mind about registering it after paying. Can I cancel my registration?
Under the current Domain Name Service Agreement that all accredited Registrars operate under, all sales are final. If you want to register a different domain name, you'll have to pay again.
I'm thinking of registering the ".org" of a well-known .com domain name. Is that a good idea?
While this tactic may get you some "free" traffic, it's also a great recipe for a lawsuit. If the .com domain is trademarked, it's better to steer clear of trouble. If the .com domain is "generic" (that is, it is a dictionary word which is not trademarked) then you're safer. Ultimately, it's your decision.
I'm thinking of registering a misspelling of a popular site's domain name (example: Yahhoo.com, AOLL.com). Is that a good idea?
This is commonly known as "typosquatting" i.e. buying a domain name with the expectation of siphoning traffic off of the legitimate site by snaring people who can't spell well. There have been a number of court cases as a result of this kind of behavior - most were decided in favor of the site owner. Ultimately, it's your decision.
I want to "point" more than one domain name at my site, so that it can be reached via several different domain names. Is this possible?
Certainly, Calgary Web Page Hosting allows you to "park" multiple domain names ontop of your primary website free of charge. Please refer to our knowledgebase for additional information.
What are the "hidden costs" of domain name ownership?
It's important to remember that a domain name is only "yours" for as long as you keep paying the renewal fee. If you keep a domain name for 5 years, you'll have to pay 5 separate fees.
I can't think of any good domain names. Any suggestions?
Try and think of domain names associated with current or future growth areas, or topics that are always popular such as golf and finance. Think of domain names that specifically relate to YOUR industry or line of business. A good way to brainstorm is to sit down with a clean piece of paper, let your mind wander, and write down every idea you get as a result... sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised at what your unconscious throws up!
What happens if someone else has applied for the same domain name as me, and their application is pending?
Although the information returned by a Whois search is only updated once or twice a day, domain names that have been purchased are essentially "locked" instantly so that they cannot accidentally be sold to two separate parties. In other words, even if somebody beat you to a domain name by just 1 second, you're out of luck, so when you find a domain name that is available never delay and purchase it right away!
24/7 Technical Support 24/7 System Administration 24/7 Sales Support
Canadian Datacenters All Canadian IP Addresses Great for Canadian Based SEO
Cpanel / WHM Control Panel Software Full Access Control Panel Unlimited Cpanel Accounts