Domain Names - Frequently Asked Questions

Q WHAT IS A DOMAIN NAME?

A domain name is a unique address used for email and web sites on the Internet. It is made up of a name of your choice (eg xyz), and a domain suffix of your choice (eg .co.uk). The domain name can only contain letters, numbers and hyphens. It is generally advisable to choose a domain name that is short, snappy and easy to remember. An example of a domain name would therefore be xyz.co.uk. This can then be used to create an email address eg yourname@xyz.co.uk and a web site eg www.xyz.co.uk

Q WHY DO I NEED A DOMAIN NAME?

The Internet is fast becoming as crucial in the business world as the telephone and the fax. Domain names are the means by which the facilities of the Internet are personalised by a business or an individual. The Internet's surging popularity for business and personal use has caused a huge increase in the number of domain names being secured. The only way to protect your interest on the Internet is to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Q AM I ALREADY PROTECTED ON THE INTERNET IF I HAVE A BUSINESS NAME OR A LIMITED COMPANY?

No, the Internet is totally separate in this regard. The only way to protect your interest is to register a domain name, effectively taking it off the market. Domain names are registered on a 'first come first served' basis.

Q WHICH DOMAIN SUFFIX SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The majority of popular suffixes are available to anyone (business or personal). Some are classed as International domains such as .com, .org and .net and others are classed as UK domains such as .co.uk and .org.uk. There is no real difference in their function as all are visible from anywhere in the world. However, the international ones can signify a more international bias in business and the UK ones, a UK bias. The most popular domain suffixes at present in the UK are probably .com and .co.uk, although all the previously mentioned suffixes are also widely used for both business and personal use.

Q WHICH DOMAIN SUFFIXES HAVE RESTRICTIONS?

Certain domain suffixes have strict criteria to meet. Amongst the most common of these are: .net.uk which requires the owner to be an Internet Service Provider; .ltd.uk which requires the owner to be a Limited Company with the exact same company name as the domain name; and .plc.uk which requires the owner to be a Public Limited Company with the exact same company name as the domain name. Contact us for further enquiries about naming restrictions.

Q HOW MUCH WILL A DOMAIN NAME COST ME?

The International domains (eg .com, .org, .net) cost £60 per annum. The UK domains (eg .co.uk, .org.uk) cost £30 per annum.

Q WHAT DO I GET FOR THIS FEE?

The fee covers:

The Registration of the Domain Name - All names are fully working and held on duplicate servers to prevent breakdown.
Free Searches of the Domain Name - Unlimited free searches to find the right domain name for your business.
A Free Web Page - We will create a free web page on the Internet to give your business an immediate presence.
No Charges to move your domain name.
No Charges to cease your domain name. We will issue an annual renewal notice for you to choose to act upon or cancel without charge.
Email Forwarding - this would enable you to advertise your domain name as your email address i.e. yourname@abc.co.uk, which will then be forwarded onto an email address you may already use i.e. yourname@yahoo.co.uk.
Web Site Forwarding - You can use our forwarding facility so that visitors to www.yourname.co.uk actually go to www.yourothersite.co.uk. Your original domain will stay in the address bar and your visitors will never know.
Full Control - If you want to move your domain to another ISP you can do so with no extra charge (note that if you do this you will not be able to use the e-mail or website forwarding)

Apply online, download an application form (pdf format 370KB) or contact us for further details.

Q WHO WILL OWN THE DOMAIN NAME?

You will be the owner of the domain name as long as you pay the annual fees.

Q CAN ANYONE ELSE REGISTER MY DOMAIN NAME?

If you don't register your domain name, then it remains available for anyone else to register. Once you have registered the domain, it is no longer available on the open market and anyone wishing to enquire about it would have to approach you. However, there are plenty of variations of domain names (ie using plurals or hyphens) and their suffixes (ie .co.uk, .com etc.) which might still be available, so it is wise to consider which to secure and which to allow to remain on the market. This, of course, can work in your favour if your chosen domain is not available. We would endeavour to suggest alternatives after searching the various options available to you.

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Search a domain Domain names » Getting started » Our services » Domain rules » Faq's Web hosting Web design Apply online Jargon buster Renewals Print Page	Domain Names - Frequently Asked Questions Q WHAT IS A DOMAIN NAME? A domain name is a unique address used for email and web sites on the Internet. It is made up of a name of your choice (eg xyz), and a domain suffix of your choice (eg .co.uk). The domain name can only contain letters, numbers and hyphens. It is generally advisable to choose a domain name that is short, snappy and easy to remember. An example of a domain name would therefore be xyz.co.uk. This can then be used to create an email address eg yourname@xyz.co.uk and a web site eg www.xyz.co.uk Q WHY DO I NEED A DOMAIN NAME? The Internet is fast becoming as crucial in the business world as the telephone and the fax. Domain names are the means by which the facilities of the Internet are personalised by a business or an individual. The Internet's surging popularity for business and personal use has caused a huge increase in the number of domain names being secured. The only way to protect your interest on the Internet is to secure your domain name before someone else does. Q AM I ALREADY PROTECTED ON THE INTERNET IF I HAVE A BUSINESS NAME OR A LIMITED COMPANY? No, the Internet is totally separate in this regard. The only way to protect your interest is to register a domain name, effectively taking it off the market. Domain names are registered on a 'first come first served' basis. Q WHICH DOMAIN SUFFIX SHOULD I CHOOSE? The majority of popular suffixes are available to anyone (business or personal). Some are classed as International domains such as .com, .org and .net and others are classed as UK domains such as .co.uk and .org.uk. There is no real difference in their function as all are visible from anywhere in the world. However, the international ones can signify a more international bias in business and the UK ones, a UK bias. The most popular domain suffixes at present in the UK are probably .com and .co.uk, although all the previously mentioned suffixes are also widely used for both business and personal use. Q WHICH DOMAIN SUFFIXES HAVE RESTRICTIONS? Certain domain suffixes have strict criteria to meet. Amongst the most common of these are: .net.uk which requires the owner to be an Internet Service Provider; .ltd.uk which requires the owner to be a Limited Company with the exact same company name as the domain name; and .plc.uk which requires the owner to be a Public Limited Company with the exact same company name as the domain name. Contact us for further enquiries about naming restrictions. Q HOW MUCH WILL A DOMAIN NAME COST ME? The International domains (eg .com, .org, .net) cost £60 per annum. The UK domains (eg .co.uk, .org.uk) cost £30 per annum. Q WHAT DO I GET FOR THIS FEE? The fee covers: The Registration of the Domain Name - All names are fully working and held on duplicate servers to prevent breakdown. Free Searches of the Domain Name - Unlimited free searches to find the right domain name for your business. A Free Web Page - We will create a free web page on the Internet to give your business an immediate presence. No Charges to move your domain name. No Charges to cease your domain name. We will issue an annual renewal notice for you to choose to act upon or cancel without charge. Email Forwarding - this would enable you to advertise your domain name as your email address i.e. yourname@abc.co.uk, which will then be forwarded onto an email address you may already use i.e. yourname@yahoo.co.uk. Web Site Forwarding - You can use our forwarding facility so that visitors to www.yourname.co.uk actually go to www.yourothersite.co.uk. Your original domain will stay in the address bar and your visitors will never know. Full Control - If you want to move your domain to another ISP you can do so with no extra charge (note that if you do this you will not be able to use the e-mail or website forwarding) Apply online, download an application form (pdf format 370KB) or contact us for further details. Q WHO WILL OWN THE DOMAIN NAME? You will be the owner of the domain name as long as you pay the annual fees. Q CAN ANYONE ELSE REGISTER MY DOMAIN NAME? If you don't register your domain name, then it remains available for anyone else to register. Once you have registered the domain, it is no longer available on the open market and anyone wishing to enquire about it would have to approach you. However, there are plenty of variations of domain names (ie using plurals or hyphens) and their suffixes (ie .co.uk, .com etc.) which might still be available, so it is wise to consider which to secure and which to allow to remain on the market. This, of course, can work in your favour if your chosen domain is not available. We would endeavour to suggest alternatives after searching the various options available to you.