|
 |
 |
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |
|
|
|
| WHAT IS A DOMAIN NAME? | |
|
All computers connected to the Internet, whether permanently via a leased line or temporarily via a dial-up connection, have a unique number which identifies them. This number - called an IP (Internet Protocol) address - makes it possible to ensure that the right information goes to the right computer. Information may include e-mail messages, web pages, file transfers and more besides. An IP address looks like this:-193.35.42.11
- four groups of numbers, each group having a value in the range 0 to 255.
While this number is essential to the computers directing information around the Internet, it is by no means convenient for humans who tend to prefer names to numbers. Consequently, text names (or 'domain names') were introduced - easy-to-remember addresses which make the process of getting around the Internet less of a headache. A system called Domain Name Service (DNS) converts the domain name (eg, adweb.co.uk) into its corresponding IP address (eg, 193.114.48.2) and vice versa.
A domain name is not the same as a web or email address, although you may choose to use your domain for this purpose, eg adweb.co.uk is a domain name whereas http://www.adweb.co.uk is a web address and info@adweb.co.uk is an email address running under the domain adweb.co.uk.
|
|
| DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOMAIN NAME | |
|
In theory (and historically) domain names reflect the country of origin - eg, .uk (UK), .fr (France), .jp (Japan) - and often the type of organisation that owns the name - eg, .org (organisation), .ltd, .plc etc.For example, irish-times.ie reflects its country of origin - Ireland (.ie)
mycompany.co.uk might be a company (.co) in the UK (.uk)
In the UK, .co is short for 'company'. In the US, .com is used for company, although you do not have to be based in the US to use .com. Many UK companies now use a .com domain, especially if they do international business.
Each country has its own registration authority. For example, NOMINET is the UK naming authority which controls the registration of .co.uk, .org.uk, .ac.uk (academic), .plc.uk, .ltd.uk, .gov.uk (government), .sch.uk (schools), .net.uk (Internet infrastructure providers), .nhs.uk (for NHS organisations), .police.uk (for police forces) and .mod.uk (Ministry of Defence) domains. Each national registration authority has its own rules and regulations (and indeed prices) for domain name registration.
The new gTLDs:
.info, .biz and .me.uk domains have recently been launched.
AdWeb Names allows you to search for and buy an available .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .ltd, .com, .org, .net, .info and .biz domains online. For other types of domains you should visit the web site of the approriate national registration authority for more information. Please visit our links page for more information.
|
|
| WHY SHOULD I REGISTER A DOMAIN NAME? | |
|
Registering a domain name is comparable to registering a company name at Companies House. Once registered, nobody else can use that name.Choosing a domain name that reflects your company or product name(s) will ensure that people can easily remember the address of information you provide on the Internet. AdWeb's domain name is adweb.co.uk which we use for our web site, http://www.adweb.co.uk/; our e-mail addresses, eg info@adweb.co.uk; and our FTP server, ftp.adweb.co.uk.
When you register a domain name with AdWeb Names, we register the name with the appropriate national registry (eg, NOMINET Ltd for UK names), then 'park' the name on two computers called name servers, permanently connected to the Internet, which can translate the domain name into an IP address and vice versa. You may then arrange to use the domain for e-mail or a web site and can transfer the name at any time to another Internet Service Provider at no additional cost.
|
|
| CHOOSING A DOMAIN NAME | |
|
This service allows you to register a .co.uk, .org.uk, .com, .net or .org domain. Whilst you may use any of these for your domain name, here is a brief outline of their general purpose:
.co.uk A company (.co) based in the UK (.uk). Eg, adweb.co.uk .com A domain name for a company, eg eumic.com. The .com domain historically denotes a company based in the US, although you don't have to trade in the US to use a .com domain. More and more UK companies are now using .com for their domain names, particularly if they wish to give the impression that their company does business globally rather soley in the UK. NB, there are no three letter .com domains available any longer (eg abc.com, lll.com etc) .me.uk New! .me.uk domains are intended by individual use (rather than by companies, for whom the .co.uk domain was intended). .me.uk registrations are expected to be made for natural persons, such as Mr John Doe registering johndoe.me.uk. .org.uk An organisation (.org) based in the UK (.uk). Eg, newspapersoc.org.uk. This type of domain is usually (although not necessarily) used for charities, non-profit organisations and trade bodies. AdWeb Names offers .org.uk registrations for just £ 30.00 plus VAT. .org Theoretically for an organisation based in the US although, like .com, increasingly used for organisations with an international rather than UK focused agenda. .ltd.uk A .ltd.uk domain may only be registered by an organisation registered in the UK as a limited company. The .ltd.uk domain must exactly match the company name as registered at Companies House. For example, company Fancy Flowers Ltd can register fancyflowers.ltd.uk but not flowers.ltd.uk or fancy-flowers.ltd.uk. The company registration number must also be supplied. .net This type of domain is usually (though not necessarily) used for a company offering Internet services or Internet based business, eg dircon.net. There is a .net.uk domain but to qualify for this, you must prove that you are an Internet infrastructure provider. .info .info may be used for information services. .info domains are registered via the .info registrar, Afilias .biz .biz may be used for commercial and business purposes. You may not register a .biz domain for the purpose of reselling the domain, nor may you register another company's registered business name or trade mark. .biz domains are registered via the .biz registrar, NeuLevel
The rules
- The only permitted characters are the letters A to Z, the numbers 0 to 9 and the hyphen (-)
- Up to 64 characters are allowed
- One and two character names are not permitted
Tips
- Choose a short memorable name
- Choose a name that reflects your company, product(s) or business
- Avoid over-use of hyphens (people are less likely to remember your domain if you over-hyphenate). For example, 'reclaimthenet.net' may not look as attractive as 'reclaim-the-net.net' but it is easier to remember.
Legal issues
Whilst domains are registered on a first come first serve basis, you may be liable to legal action or suspension if you register a domain that reflects the company or brand name of another party or which, in the opinion of the registration authorities, is "likely to cause confusion to Internet users". In other words, no matter how tempting it might be to register a domain name using the name of one of your competitors or a well known brand name, DON'T DO IT!! The legal responsibility for domain name registrations lies with the customer not with AdWeb. AdWeb takes no responsibility for legal action arising from the registration of a domain name on behalf of a customer.
|
|
| HOW DO I KNOW IF A DOMAIN NAME IS AVAILABLE? | |
|
For .co.uk, .com, .me.uk, .org.uk, .ltd, .org, .net, .info and .biz domains you may do a fast search at the top of this page to see if a name has already been registered or not. For other types of domains you should visit the web site of the appropriate national registry. See our links page for details.
|
|
| COSTS | |
|
Our current domain name registration fees can be found on our prices page. The registration fee covers the initial two years of use of the name. Thereafter, an annual renewal fee (approximately half the initial registration fee) is payable should you wish to retain the name.
|
|
| WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY? | |
|
Registering a domain name is comparable to registering a company name at Companies House. Once registered, nobody else can use that name. When you register a domain name with AdWeb Names, we register the name with the appropriate national registry and 'park' the name on two computers called name servers, permanently connected to the Internet, which can translate the domain name into an IP address and vice versa. The cost of the domain name registration covers you for the first two years. In the third and subsequent years a renewal fee (usually half the registration fee) is payable to the appropriate registration authority, eg NOMINET for .uk names.Please note that the purchase of a domain name does not constitute a web site or email account. AdWeb does not offer free web hosting or email accounts as part of our domain name registration service, although we do offer free email forwarding and web forwarding/online business card (see below)
If you wish to run a web site or email accounts under your domain you will need to arrange this with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). We will transfer your domain, at your request, to your ISP at any time at no additional cost. Please see Redelegating a domain name for further information.
E-mail forwarding
If you already have an e-mail account, eg jdoe@somewhere.co.uk, AdWeb can forward all e-mail sent to your new domain (eg info@yourdomain.com, john@yourdomain.com, anythingatall@yourdomain.com) to your existing e-mail account. this is a free service.
Web forwarding
If you already have a web site, eg www.something.co.uk/mywebsite, AdWeb can forward your domain to your existing web site. So, for example, should you register the domain mydomain.co.uk and someone were to type www.mydomain.co.uk into their web browser, they would automatically be transfered to your existing web site. This is a free service.
Online business card
If you do not currently have a web site but would like web users to find out something about you by typing your new domain into their web browsers, we can set up an online business card for you, allowing you to publish your contact details and some information about what you do or who you are on the web, accessible via your domain name. This is a free service.
Please note that an online business card does not constitute a web site. We do not offer free web space or FTP access as part of our registration services.
Adding/amending email forwarding/web forwarding/online business card
When you register a domain name with AdWeb Names you will be given the opportunity to take advantage of free email forwarding and web forwarding/online business card, as described above. Should you not wish to do so at this point but wish to add them later OR should you subsequently wish to change your details, we will need written confirmation of your request, with your signature, by fax or by post. Please complete the relevant form on our forms page.
|
|
| HOW DO I REGISTER/PURCHASE A DOMAIN NAME? | |
|
First do a search to see if your desired domain name is available. You will find a fast search at the top of this page.When you have found an available name you will be given the opportunity to purchase the domain name either securely online by credit card or offline by fax or post.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Switch, JCB, Solo and Visa Electron cards. In the unlikely event that your reegistration is unsuccessful, your credit card will be refunded in full.
How safe is it to use my credit card online?
AdWeb uses Secure Socket Layers (SSL) - the industry standard for secure commerce transactions. SSL encrypts all details you submit, including credit card number, name and address, so that they cannot be read as the information travels over the Internet.
How long will it take to register a domain?
Domain name registrations usually take between one and 24 hours to complete (Monday-Friday). .ltd.uk domains may take up to five days as your company details will have to be checked with Companies House.
How will I know when registration is complete?
You will receive confirmation by email and documentation, including a VAT receipt, by post.
I received an email telling me that my registration is complete a few hours ago but my online business card and email forwarding still aren't working and when I do a search for the domain I've just registered it says it's still available!
We aim to inform you as soon as we receive confirmation that your domain has been accepted by the appropriate registration authority but you may find that it takes several hours (often 24 for .com, .net and .org domains) for your domain to be accessible in the Internet community; the national registration authorities do not instantly update their 'whois' database whenever a new registration is made so, although they may have confirmed acceptance of your domain, their database reflect the domain as 'still available' at this point. DNS (Domain Name Service, see What is a domain name) may take up to 24 hours to propagate, ie for the information about your new domain to be passed round all the world's nameservers, so you should not expect your domain to resolve as soon as it is registered.
|
|
| REDELEGATING A DOMAIN NAME | |
|
If you wish to redelegate (transfer) your domain name to another Internet Service Provider at any time we will do this free of charge within 24 hours. However, for legal reasons, we will need your written request with a signature to do this. Please complete and return the redelegation form (sent to you with your registration documentation) by fax or post. If you have mislaid your redelegation form, you may print and complete a new one from our forms page.
|
|
| WHAT IF I WANT TO USE MY DOMAIN FOR EMAIL OR A WEB SITE? | |
|
If you wish to run a web site or email account(s) under your domain, you will need to arrange commercial hosting and/or email services with an Internet Service Provider and redelegate the domain to them.If you have an existing e-mail account or web site, you may prefer to take advantage of our free e-mail or web forwarding services. Anyone registering a domain name with AdWeb Names is entitled to a free online business card under their own domain - a web page carrying basic contact details and information.
|
|
| ABOUT ADWEB | |
|
Established in 1994, AdWeb is an Internet consultancy and solutions provider specialising in Cold Fusion and co-location hosting, database integration, intranets, extranets and web development. AdWeb hosts and developed the web site for UK regional newspaper readership statistics - JICREG, Adf@st - a digital artwork transmission service, JIC-IN-A-BOX Online - JICREG's online reporting system and hosts a wide range of commercial web sites.AdWeb is a member of NOMINET, the UK naming authority, and has been operating as a domain name registration agent since 1995. Our clients are diverse, ranging from individuals to international organisations, lawyers to newspaper companies, charities to industrial manufacturers. We keep abreast of all aspects of domain name registration regulations, including legal, international and technical issues.
For further information about AdWeb, please visit the AdWeb web site.
To contact us
15 Reedings Way
Sawbridgeworth
Hertfordshire
UK
CM21 9DX
E-mail: domains@adweb.co.uk
Home | Terms & Conditions | Make Changes | Prices | Useful Links
Copyright © 2013, AdWeb Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
May not be reproduced in whole or in part without express consent of AdWeb Ltd.
