Domain Registration Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a domain name?
  A domain name tells people (and their computer) how to find a site on the Internet. Each domain name is assigned to a unique numerical Internet address (eg. 127.0.0.1) by your host provider. Since people remember names better than numbers, the domain name translates this number into words. www.yourname.com
  
  
• Why do I need to register a domain name?
  Registering a domain name for your business or organization is essential to your marketing efforts. A domain gives your business credibility and a unique identity on the world wide web.
  
  
• Do you handle the domain registration process?
  Yes, we will contact OpenSRS on your behalf. We will process a new domain name registration or transfer an existing domain name to our servers.
  
  
• Can I transfer an existing name to your servers?
  Yes, simply specify that you are requesting a transfer and NOT a new domain. You should keep the service with your current provider while waiting for InterNIC to complete the transfer process.
  
  
• How will I be able to tell if my desired Domain Name is already taken?
  Before registering a domain name you will first have to do a "Whois" search to see if your requested domain name is available. The domain request comes up with "no match" you will then be able to register that domain name.
  
  
• How much does it cost to register a domain name?
  Please refer to the pricing page on this web site.
  
  
• Once I have secured my name, how long may I use it?
  If there are no trademark disputes, your secured domain name will be yours for as long as you maintain the yearly registration fees with us.
  
  
• What if my desired domain name is the same as a trademarked name?
  Generally, if you've registered the name in good faith, its not a name belonging to an internationally known company, and you can show that you have a legitimate reason to use that name then you are likely to be able to keep that name. That may not be the case if it can be shown that you purchased the name for the express purpose of re-selling it to a company with a legitimate claim to the name.
  
  
• How do I choose a good domain name?
  It is important to choose a domain that will reflect the intent and purpose of your website or business. Try to keep it short and simple. Your domain name will be one of the ways people recognize or evaluate their sites for their interests when they are searching via Yahoo or the other search engines.
  
  
• What are the valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?
  The only valid characters for a domain name are letters, numbers and a hyphen "-". Other special characters like the underscore "_" or an exclamation mark "!" are NOT permitted. Example: your name.com (not correct, No spaces allowed) Example: your-name.com (is correct) A domain name can be up to 26 characters long -- including the 4 characters used to identify the Top Level Domain (.NET, .COM, .ORG, etc.). Do not type the www. before your domain name when registering.
  

• Who is OpenSRS?
  OpenSRS is a cooperative SLD (second level domain name) registration service, managed by TUCOWS.com Inc. OpenSRS is fully accredited by ICANN and officially recognized by Network Solutions. It is a completely open system that has been designed to allow domain name resellers that are not ICANN or NSI affiliated to register domain names at wholesale rates.