What is a domain name?

ANSWER:

A domain name is a Web address. The domain name is the same as an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet), except the domain name is letters and numbers that make sense to humans, while the IP address is a series of numbers. Thus a domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page will open. For example, the domain name www.yourdomain.com locates an Internet address for "yourdomain.com."

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. The "com" part of the domain name generally reflects the type or purpose of the organization or entity and is called the top-level domain (TLD) name. The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (" . ") — "yourdomain" in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name — being the "readable" part of the address — refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domains must be registered through an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) accredited registrar.

What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

ANSWER:

A top-level domain is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (" . "). The most common TLDs are .com, .net and .org. Several new top-level domains have been added to the menu recently, including, .biz, .info, .name, and .ws. The top-level domains have certain guidelines attached, but are for the most part available to any registrant, anywhere in the world. Exceptions are the restricted TLDs (rTLDs) — which include .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro — that require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity, or to belong to a certain community. The .name TLD is available strictly for individuals, while .edu is reserved for educational entities, such as universities or high schools. Where appropriate, a top-level domain name can be of geographic significance and hence only available to registrants in the locale defined by the TLD. These are called country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) and include such top-level domains as .bz ( Belize),.ca ( Canada), .dk ( Denmark), .ec ( Ecuador), ie ( Republic of Ireland), .uk ( United Kingdom), .us ( United States), and .zw ( Zimbabwe).

How do I check if a domain name is available?

ANSWER:

To find out if a domain name is available, go to our Home Page and enter the desired domain in the domain name search box; then select the preferred extension (top-level domain) from the drop-down list. Click GO to instantly find out if the requested domain is available. If it is, you may proceed to the next steps in the registration procedure.

If the domain name you requested is already taken you will be presented with any available alternatives (i.e. same second-level domain, but with a different extension). For example, you may be able to select a .info or .ws top-level domain, rather than the requested .com. Thus you would be registering www.whatever.info, instead of www.whatever.com. If none of the suggested alternatives are to your liking, you can start over again and search for a different domain for your future Web site.

How do I transfer a domain name?

ANSWER:

Using a Rapid Transfer System transfers are now often completed in 5 days or less, but please be aware that transfers may take up 7 days to complete. In order to complete the transfer to Wananchi Online, we will need some assistance from you.

Here is an overview of the process:

Advise your administrative contact that the domain name is being transferred.

Administrative contact person will be emailed by the next business day to request transfer approval.

When this acceptance is received, we will send a transfer request to the registry.

The registry will email your current registrar.

Most likely, your current registrar will send your administrative contact an email asking for your approval of the. Please respond as directed.

Your current registrar will send an acceptance or rejection notice to the registry.

The registry will email us a notice of the acceptance or rejection.

We will send you an email informing you that the transfer is complete. Should the transfer fail, we will inform you.

Helpful hints:

ICANN regulations prohibit transferring a domain name that has been registered or previously transferred within the last 60 days.

Verify that the domain name's administrative contact email address at your current registrar is correct. This is the address we are required to contact to request approval for the transfer.

If the domain name is locked the transfer will fail. Contact your current Registrar in order to unlock your domain name

What is a domain registrar?

Answer/Solution

A domain name Registrar is authorized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to register and manage domain names. Registrars are responsible for maintaining the information entered into the WhoIs database.

What is Domain Transfer?

The term 'transfer' has been used to describe various kinds of domain name transfers. Traditionally, simply changing the nameservers providing name service for a domain was considered a transfer. Nowadays, such a modification is more rightly called a modification, and the term 'transfer' describes the transfer of a domain from one registrar to another.