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Domain Name Registration FAQ

Domain Name Registration Questions

Domain Name Registration FAQ Answers

  1. What is a domain name?

    A domain name is the address of your website on the World Wide Web. It's what you type in the browser's address bar to go to a specific website and what your customers will see in the search engine results when looking for your business.

    For instance our domain name is www.thecompanywarehouse.co.uk

    Domain names are also used as part of the e-mail addresses for your business. In order to setup suitable e-mail addresses you need a suitable web hosting package.
     

  2. Why do I need a domain name?

    Without a domain name, customers will not be able to find your website and it will not show up on the search engines either. Registering a domain name is the first step to getting your business online.
     

  3. Does registering a domain name protect my business?

    We recommend that you register a domain name in the same name as your business to prevent other people from doing so and passing off their website as yours (potentially damaging your goodwill). You should do this even if you do not intend to use that domain address for your website. However, domain registration alone is not enough to stop someone from registering a company under a similar name or registering a trade mark. To get the best protection for your business and your business name, we recommend carrying out a company formation to start a limited company and registering your company name as a trademark at the same time. Otherwise someone else could complete a trademark registration using that name and take legal action to stop you using the domain name.
     

  4. How do I register a domain name?

    Use our domain name registration tool to find and order the ideal domain name for your business. We recommend ordering the a number of the most popular TLD (top level domains) in order to protect your business and ensure that customers can reach your website with ease. If you had www.registered-domain.com there would be nothing to stop another business getting www.registered-domain.co.uk and taking advantage of your goodwill/reputation.
     

  5. How do I get started with domain name registration?

    Choose a suitable domain name

    There are millions of domain names available for registration. Try to think of as many names as you can that will be memorable for your customers. Short names are often considered to be better and remember if the domain name you want is already registered, try variations or separate words with the dash symbol "-". If your company name is suitably short you may wish to use that to help people easily remember and associate it with your business. It is important to pick a domain name which is easy to type. A misspelling or typing error could easily take potential customers elsewhere or nowhere at all.
     

    Check domain name availability

    Once you have thought of a suitable domain name or have a list of domain names you wish to register you can use our domain name registration tool to check the availability. Domain name results will show if your chosen name is available and a variety of Top Level Domains to choose from.
     

    Register your domain name

    Your search results will be displayed on the page and you can choose which domain name or names you would like to buy. Please bear in mind that new domain names may take up to 48 hours to become available.
     

  6. What is a TLD?

    TLD stands for "Top Level Domain" but may also be referred to as a domain extension. They are the end of the domain name and have a number of meanings/connotations. As time passes more and more top level domains are available, many of them are specific to a country or region (for example .co.uk for UK domains while .de is used for German domain names) while some are specific to an organisation:

    • .COM – the most well-known and well used of all the domain names. It started off representing company domain name addresses, but became far more widely used over time. Often used to represent American domains, but you can find UK websites using a .COM domain name.

    • .CO.UK – these domain names have been used in the UK for many years. They are used to represent company websites within the UK. It is actually a second level domain name – the first level merely being .UK. Other organisations within the UK also use it – for example .gov.uk for Government websites, .ac.uk for academic site.

    • .ORG – people often register .ORG domains for non-profit organisations such as charities and those enterprises which are non-commercial in nature. This domain was originally established in 1985 with the other main TLDs (.COM, .NET, .GOV and .EDU).

    • .ORG.UK - as above, but used for UK based non-profit businesses. There is nothing to stop an organisation using the .ORG TLD if it so chooses.

    • .INFO – originally a top level domain which was meant to represent informative websites – these domains became very popular with over 5million registered by 2008.

    • .NET – this domain is a shortening of the word "network" and was originally intended for use by internet providers and other networking/technology organisations.

    • .ME.UK – commonly used for personal (non-commercial) websites.

    • .BIZ - originally established as an alternative to .COM domain name registration to alleviate some of the demand .BIZ top level domains were also used to register a domain name where the .COM alternative had already been taken by another business. In recent years their popularity has declined but registration may be a good way of protecting alternative variations of your domain and TLD.

     

    A full list of other top level domains can be seen on the Norid Website.

  7. Is any Top Level Domain more valuable during domain registration?

    Over the years, there has been some rumour and speculation as to the various values of the top level domains in terms of search engine optimisation and usability. Some argue that .COM is most popular with people and search engines, yet .CO.UK sites can rank just as highly. People have suggested that .ME TLDs were viewed negatively for a while because they were given away for free for a short period. However, recently activity seems to suggest that no TLD is more valuable than another in terms of SEO.

    We do however recommend that you order all the variations during the domain name registration process in order to protect your domain name from being duplicated by others. Customers may type a .COM domain expecting to find your website. If you only have .CO.UK or .NET they might not find you! You could re-direct all the domain names to one site so your business is easy to find.
     

  8. What is a subdomain?

    Once you have purchased a domain name registration you may choose to set up a subdomain. Subdomains are used to add new elements to your business website in what are essentially subfolders – without detracting from the main theme of your website. You may opt to have forums.yourcompany.com, support.yourcompany.com etc. Multiple subdomains can be added when you order a business hosting package through us.
     

  9. Is a domain registration enough to get my business online?

    No. A domain registration on its own is not enough to get your business online. The domain is the address of your website, but you will also need somewhere to store the files. This is known as web hosting. A service which allows you to save and manage the files of your website. Through us you can order all the essential elements for your business website at a low cost. Order a domain name registration, then purchase a suitable hosting package and a website design and once the design process is complete the design team will upload the files of your website to your hosting server. Then when customers type in your domain name or search for you on the search engines, they'll end up in the right place. With our premium hosting packages you can get a .CO.UK domain name for FREE!
     

  10. Do I own my domain name once it is registered?

    You cannot own a domain name. Subject to the registrar's terms and conditions by registering a domain name you are entitled the exclusive use and automatic right of renewal. By registering a domain you are entering into a 3 way agreement between the registrar (this will be different depending on which domain extension you have bought), the registrant's agent (that's TheCompanyWarehouse) and the you, the registrant.

    For .UK domains you can view the Registrars Terms and conditions at the following address: www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/aboutdomainnames/legal/
     

  11. What is a domain registrant?

    A domain name registration may be completed in the name of an individual or a business. If you are carrying out a domain registration for your business then it makes sense that the business is the registrant. Any type of business may be a domain registration – whether you're running a limited company, partnership, sole trader or other form of business.
     

  12. How long is my domain registered for? Do I need to renew at any point?

    .COM, .NET, .BIZ, .ORG and .INFO domain names are purchased for 1 year. .CO.UK, .ORG.UK, .ME.UK domains are purchased for 2 years. After that period you will need to renew your domain name registration or you might risk losing your website address.
     

  13. How do I get Service and support?

    Service and support is available by e-mail and telephone during our normal office hours which are business days Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm.Outside of business hours you may contact us by e-mail with your enquiries:

    By e-mail:
    websupport@thecompanywarehouse.co.uk

    By telephone:
    0800 0828 727

    By post:
    Web Support Team
    The Company Warehouse
    76-80 Baddow Road
    Chelmsford
    CM2 7PJ
     

  14. What do I do if I have a problem or dispute?

    Dispute resolution policy:

    Initial Stage:
    First contact the support team using the above contact information. They will tell you what steps we will be taking next to resolve your issue and how when you can expect a response. If the issue is still not rectified by the deadline provided by the support team you may contact us again and state that you have an unresolved issue and wish the matter raised to the "Escalation stage" of our resolution policy.

    Escalation Stage:
    All problems and disputes will receive a written response within 5-7 business days, telling you the name of the manager dealing with your dispute, his or her contact details and any action or decision that has been taken in your case.

    Review Stage:
    If your dispute or issue still remains unresolved or you are unhappy with the manner you issue has been dealt with you may as a final step write to our managing director for a review of the steps and actions taken. You will receive a written response within 7 business days:

    Richard Jobling
    Managing Director
    The Company Warehouse
    76-80 Baddow Road
    Chelmsford
    CM2 7PJ