1. What is a domain name?
A domain name is the name that identifies a web site. Your
domain name in the online world is the equivalent of our retail
name and address in the real world. It is your address because
it shows customers and computers online where to find your site,
store, products etc. It is your name because you can move your
domain name from one web host to another at any time.
2. Who owns the domain name? When you buy a domain name, you are
actually leasing the name. It is a lease because there is no way
to own a domain name forever. You pay a fee on an annual or
bi-annual basis to your registrar to continue using the name. If
you stop paying your annual fees, it becomes a lapsed domain
name and goes back out on the market where anyone, perhaps even
your competition can purchase the domain for their use.
Note: Online traffic will follows the domain name. If you fail
to renew a name, it is basically sending free traffic to another
site owner.
3. Who is in charge of the domain name system? ICANN or Internet
Assigned Numbers Authority is the non profit organization in
charge of the domain name system. ICANN performs some of the
following duties to keep the domain name system running smoothly:
Approves Top Level Domain Names - .com/.biz/.edu etc ICANN is in
charge of approving domain name extensions such as .biz and
setting up standards such as which domain names such as .us or
co.uk belong to a particular country.
Regulates the domain name registration process and services
ICANN approves registrars who are who are responsible for
keeping track of registered names, billing customers, sending
out renewal notices and selling top level domain names to anyone
who wants one.
There are many reputable resellers on the web that are not
approved by ICANN but are simply organizations and individuals
associated with a registrar that are allowed to sell domain
names on their own. Whether you purchase your domain name
through a registrar or a reseller, always find a reputable
source for your domain name.
If a registrar or reseller does not maintain an active database,
you might find yourself on rare occasions paying for a name that
is already registered. If you ever receive such as note from
your registrar, or reseller, contact them immediately using an
online form or via the phone. Make sure the notice is legitimate
otherwise, you might be the victim of a domain name scam. If it
is true, your registrar should immediately make a correction,
preferably at their expense.
This integrity of a registrar or reseller's database of
available names should be maintained at all times.
Sets up conflict resolution policies to prevent domain name
theft and copyright (brand name) infringements. ICANN has setup
and is always revising its dispute resolution policy so that web
users can have fair access to any domain name while protecting
the sanctity of commercial trademarks. You can get any name you
want as long as it is not trademarked by another person or
organization.
It is always in your best interest to get familiar with the
ICANN website as well as its rules and policies. To build a
successful online presence is a long term proposition. If you
fail to do your due diligence upfront, it can have serious
repercussions later on due to lost time, web traffic, money and
possible loss of a domain name.
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