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Article number: kb-20
Q. What do I need to know about domain registration?
A. To have a website, you need to register a domain name, you must use an accredited registrar, keep the contact information current and renew the domain at the end of its contract. Following is breakdown on these three important tips:
1. Domain registration is the process by which a company or individual can secure a website domain, such as www.yoursite.com. Once you have completed domain registration the domain becomes yours for the period of the contract, usually one year. Before registration expires it must be renewed, or the domain reverts back to being available to the general public.
2. Accredited domain registrars. ICI is a reseller of domain names for GTI.net/TwuCows. It is important that you use an accredited domain registrar such as TwuCows in order to ensure that your name is unique, available to users on the web, and while under contract--your property. A lot of money is invested in your website, better to go with a trusted vendor than an unknown because the price is cheap.
3. Registration information: It is very important that when you register your domain that you include correct company and contact information and that if this information changes you make the update. This is critical both for notification of a renewal and for when you need to purchase an SSL certificate to accept ecommerce sales via your website.
When you apply for an SSL certificate, your registration or WHOIS information must match exactly to your company name. For example, if your company Big Company, Inc. and you omit the "Inc." or any of your information does not match your corporate records, this certificate will be denied until it is updated properly.
What can happen if you are not careful:
If your domain name is registered under the name of a web developer or designer on your behalf--if this occurs, you will not own the domain.
Section 3.7.5 of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement requires registrars to delete domain registrations after a second notice and a grace period, unless there are "extenuating circumstances." Some examples of such "extenuating circumstances" might include ownership disputes, payment disputes, or lame server delegations. Only the registrar would know exactly why it hasn't yet deleted a particular name. No specific dates or deadlines are prescribed in the current provisions. Dispute resolutions must go through ICANN. The sooner you start this process the better as it takes a while. If you are offered the ability to repurchase the domain--again make sure that it is an accredited registrar--do not use a private registry.
Article number: kb-20