Domain Names

What is a URL?
It stands for Uniform Resource Locator. Some people refer to it as a "web address" (although URL is not limited to the web, and others refer to it phonetically as an "earl"). An example of a URL is http://www.mylogicalhost.com.

Please note that a URL is a unique identifier. No two websites can have the same URL (this is the reason why you should register your domain name before someone else does).

What is a domain name?
A domain name is used to identify the location of a website on the Internet. Here are some domain names you might already recognize:

• yahoo.com - popular search engine
• fbi.gov - federal bureau of investigations
• harvard.edu - ivy league institution

What is the significance of .com, .edu, etc.?
A domain name consists of two or more sets of characters separated by a period (also called a "dot"). The last set of characters is called a "top-level domain".

Here are some common top-level domains and their use:

.COM

Used for commercial entities. It is the most popular top-level domain. Anyone can register a .com domain.

.NET

 

Originally used for networking organizations such as Internet Service Providers and backbone providers. Today, anyone can register a .net domain.

.ORG

 

Designed for miscellaneous organizations, including non-profit groups. Today, anyone can register a .org domain.

.EDU

 

Reserved for four-year, accredited colleges and universities.

.MIL

 

Reserved for US Armed Forces.

.GOV

 

Reserved for government entities.

Country Codes

 

Other top-level domains include those for countries (.CA for Canada, .UK for the United Kingdom, .HK for Hong Kong, etc.), which are based on the International Standards Organization's 3166 standard for country abbreviations.

How long can a domain name be and what are the restrictions?
A domain can have a maximum of 26 characters including the extensions (.com, .net, etc). A domain name can contain numbers, letters or a dashes. A domain can not start or end with a dash.

What if the name I want to use is already taken?
You can choose an alternative domain name, or if you feel that you have a right to that domain name, you could dispute the name and attempt to regain your domain name.

How long does it take to register a domain name?
If the information provided is correct, it should take less than 24 hours.

Once a domain is registered, who "owns" the domain name?
The domain name is owned by the organization that is listed on the whois database. You can view this information by searching for the name on our website and then clicking on the name in the results box.