Domain Name Guide

What is a domain name?
 

A domain name is an Internet address, as well as a brand for your website. Every website is tied to a domain name. A domain name, like "yourdomain.com", is an easy to remember Internet address that allows people who surf the Web to find your website. As all domain names are unique, there is sometimes competition in the market to register a domain name of choice before other Internet users have the chance. In order to get your own domain name, the name you want needs to be registered and put on record, so that computers querying the DNS (Domain Name System) can find your website.

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How does a domain name get registered?

Registering a domain first involves finding a registrar or a company that can license domain names, and paying that company a fee to register your domain. Next, the registrar sends your registration information to be stored at the NSI Registry. The NSI Registry is where all valid gTLD are stored. (gTLD = "generic Top Level Domain" names, such as .com, .net, and .org, but not foreign domain name extensions like .uk or .cc). Once the domain has been placed in the NSI Registry, it is yours until the registration expires, anywhere from 1 to 10 years depending on how long you have registered it.

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How do I point my domain to 24/7 Solutions Online nameservers if it is registered elsewhere?

If you registered your domain with 24/7 Solutions Online, simply e-mail our support department with your information and we can modify your nameserver information for you. In this case, when you order your server from 24/7 Solutions Online, you need to choose "Option 2: I own this domain and want to transfer it" in the "Reserve A Domain Name" section of the order form.

If you registered your domain at a company other than 24/7 Solutions Online, you will need to contact your registrar and provide them with the 24/7 Solutions Online nameserver information. In this case, when you order your server from 24/7 Solutions Online, you need to choose "Option 3: I own this domain, but I do not want to transfer at this time" in the "Reserve A Domain Name" section of the order form.

 

      24/7 Solutions Online Nameserver Information:

        Primary Server Host Name:
        NS1.DNSHOSTSYS.COM

        Primary Server Net Address:
        XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

        Secondary Server Host Name:
        NS2.DNSHOSTSYS.COM

        Secondary Server Net Address:
        XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

        NIC Handle:

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Does 24/7 Solutions Online register domain names?

Yes, you can register domains with .com, .org, and .net extensions with 24/7 Solutions Online. 24/7 Solutions Online does not register the .edu or .gov domains, however, and we do not register international domains. Please check our International NIC Guide for information about registering foreign domains.

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How much does it cost to register domains through 24/7 Solutions Online?

Registration fees are the same no matter what length of time you register a domain name. You will pay $30/year if you register for 1 year or 10 years!

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For how long can I reserve my domain at 24/7 Solutions Online?

You can register domains at one-year increments for up to 10 years.

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How long can a domain name be?
 

Your domain name can technically be up to 67 total characters long. The 67 characters include the extension (.com, .net, .org), but do not include the "www." Basically, if you register a domain with a ".com" extension, you still have room for 63 characters for the domain name itself.

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What domain name extensions can I use?
 

In the United States, there are currently only five valid domain name extensions: .com, .net, .org, .edu, and .gov. There are a variety of other extensions that can be used from other countries as well. For details on the available international extensions and on any requirements that may be associated with them, please take a look at our International NIC Guide.

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What are the uses for the different domain name extensions?

The domain name extension system was set up so that each of the extensions would be used for a specific purpose. The guidelines for .com, .net, and .org are not hard set, and the lines between them have been blurred significantly in recent years. On the other hand, the guidelines for .gov and .edu extensions are generally adhered to. They are basically as follows:

  • .com domains are to be used for general commercial or business purposes. It is accepted practice to use .com for personal websites as well.
  • .net domains are to be used for networked systems. This can be a network of people, companies, communities, or computers.
  • .org domains are to be used for non-profit organizations. Sometimes these are used for personal websites as well.
  • .edu domains are reserved for use by accredited, secondary educational institutions only.
  • .gov domains are reserved for use by United States government agencies only.

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My domain registration has expired. Can I register it with a new registrar now?

Yes, but this can be risky. When you allow your domain to expire with your current registrar, it can take anywhere from 1 to 45 days before that domain is fully free to be registered somewhere else. There is no notice or warning when the domain is set free, and someone else can sneak in and register the domain before you have a chance to re-register it.

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Can I change registrars before my domain has expired with its current registrar?

Yes, but it is more expensive to do it this way. When you cancel your domain with its current registrar, you do not get money back for the unused time, and you must pay the full registration amount with the new registrar. For example, if you originally paid for a 2-year domain registration, and only three months has passed before you decide to utilize another registrar, you will need to pay the new registrar for the entire new registration period (up to 10 years with 24/7 Solutions Online), and the old registrar will not refund your unused 21 months. Because of this, it would make more sense to change registrars near the end of your registration period.

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