Domain Name Faq's

A domain name is your address on the Internet. It is linked to a numerical address, called an IP address (e.g. 209.207.168.30). A domain name server is used to translate a domain name into an IP address. Domain names consist of two parts, the actual name, and the hierarchy to which it belongs. The hierarchies available for public use are .com, .net, and .org. There are now also other top level domains available such as .ca, .us, .cc, .to, to name a few .

If you need a register a domain name, all you need to do is decide on the domain name you want, and check its availability. We can take care of all the details for you, and register the domain on your behalf, or you may register the domain yourself. Our domain registrations are competitively priced, and we can include the domain registration with your hosting account if you wish.

Note: When Mattcas Communications registers a domain for you, we register the domain in your name, with you as the owner! We do not list ourselves as the owner, or administrative contact, of the domain name, but we will list ourselves as technical contact if you prefer. It is only required that an administrative contact approve or deny any domain transfers, so you have complete control over your domain.

Once your domain name registration has been approved, it takes approximately 1-2 business days before it is active. All Internet providers must update their records (DNS tables) to reflect new site locations. This is called propagation. Total turnaround on a new domain name is typically 2 business days. However, while the domain propagates your account will still be active and available. It use your account during this time, all you need is the IP address for your domain.

Yes, this is called a sub-domain. If you have an existing domain name that is hosted with us then creating a subdomain is a simple procedure. You can create anyname.yourdomain.com simply using your online control panel that is included with your hosting account. The advantage of sub-domains is that registering an additional domain name is not needed.

To transfer a domain to our servers, you need to modify the name servers (Or DNS) for your domain. The name server information is listed with the Registrar who registered your domain name. We may put in the request for you, or you may decide to do this yourself. Be sure to specify that you are requesting a transfer and NOT a new domain. You should keep the service with your current provider while waiting for your domain name propagation to complete the transfer process. We will provide you with an IP address so you can upload the site on our server. All email and web pages will still be accessed from your current site. There may be a 72 hour propagation period where visitors could go to either site. At the end of the 72 hours you should contact your previous host to have them delete the old domain from their records and update their DNS record. If you use this same provider for your Internet access you will not be able to access your domain site until they update their DNS.

An important item to keep in mind when transfering a domain is that Domain Registrars will not accept the transfer request without authorization from either the Administrative or Technical Contact for the domain. The Registrar will send an email to the Administrative and Technical Contacts for the domain, asking for authorization to perform the domain transfer. At least one of them must acknowledge the transfer is valid.

Name servers may be registered through the same company that registered your domain name. Additionally, if you have access to your domain name management console, you can register name servers yourself. In the console, there will be a link to 'register DNS' or 'register name servers'. Use this link and follow the instructions as provided by your domain registrar.

Domain names must be 67 characters or less including the top level domain suffix, such as ".com", at the end. A domain name must start and end with a letter or a number and may be composed of letters, numbers, or the dash, "-", character. Underscores are not allowed.

Currently, domain name registration prices vary depending on the registrar you choose. If we register your domain name for you the cost is $12.95 USD per year. Domain names must be paid for at the time of registration. Domain name fees are non refundable.

A virtual domain is your own domain name (http://www.yourname.com). Domain names are being taken at a rate of approximately 10,000 per day. If there is a particular domain name that you would like to have for your web site, you must check to see if the name is available. If your name is available you should register it immediately. Names are given on a first come first serve basis.

A Domain Registrar is an independent organization who is responsible for domain name registrations and routing of Internet domain names. Registration fees vary by registrar, and some registrars insist on listing themselves as the domain owner. Some of the most popular Registrar's are Enom.com and Networksolutions.com.

Some domain name extensions have rules regulation who may register the extension. For example, .com . net .org .info .biz, may be registered by anyone. While .us .ca and other country extentions may only be registered by citizens or landed immigrants into that country. And .edu may only be registered by a recognized Educational Institute.