Information on Domain Names Published: Mar 22, 2005
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Domain names are often confusing to web hosting customers. Trying to understand the difference between a parked domain, addon domain, url forwarding, sub domains and more can be frustrating so we explain domain names here.

Domain names are often confusing to web hosting customers. Trying to understand the difference between a parked domain, addon domain, url forwarding, sub domains and more can be frustrating so we explain domain names here.

It’s been two years since John started his online business. He is very much satisfied with his current web host whose services he acquired one year ago. Today John is relaxing in his chair and thinking about the initial days when he spent many hours on the Internet collecting information related to web hosting. Like him there are many John’s out there who are in search of information everyday, visiting this and that website hoping to find the most illuminating advice. The problem is that common topics of interest can be found on most of the websites whereas other relevant issues are not dealt with everywhere.  This article is going to touch on one of those areas: various concerns related with domain names.

What is multiple domain hosting?
Many times you will see that a web host offers multiple domain hosting. In simpler words it means that on buying an account you will have the ability to get multiple websites. For instance, if the plan provides you with five domain names, you can use one domain for your website and you will still have four domain names leftover to use. The advantage of this scenario is that you can resell these four domain names to your clients. 

What is domain parking or parked domains?
If you are planning to build up a website and have decided on a name for it you then must purchase that domain name from a domain registrar: i.e. your domain name gets placed on a name server so that you can use it later on. This is known as domain parking. Even if your website content is not ready, it’s better to park your desired domain name. Otherwise, it might be possible that in future somebody else acquires that particular domain name.

What are sub domains?
Sub domains are ‘third level’ domains in the sense that they are used solely to organize your website content. They are simply folders under your root directory, but to access them a special URL is used. For instance, http://www.m6.net is a regular URL without a sub domain. http://features.m6.net is an URL with the sub domain name: "features". Here the:
.net: is the first level domain,
m6: is the second level domain,
features: is the third level domain

What are addon domains?
Addon domains are provided by your web hosting plan. They allow you to have one hosting plan or account with your provider that has 2 different websites, each with a different URL (domain) for each. Let's say I own Plan 2 from Tower Host which offers 2 addon domains. My main site uses the domain webhostgear.com but through my control panel I can add a second site with a second URL but under the same hosting account. So my second domain would be ramprage.com. As you can see addon domains are very useful if you have more than 1 website and you want to save on hosting costs!

For how long does a domain name belong to you?
Generally when you register a domain name it is registered for a minimum of one year. However, you can register it for more years, as there is no hard and fast rule as such.

What is Domain Renewal?
After one year you need to renew your domain name so that your website doesn’t get lost.  Generally when your domain is about to expire your domain registrar will send you a reminder mail regarding the domain renewal. If you do not renew your domain you lose the rights to own it. After this someone can take over your domain and register it for themselves - see domain expires below.

What happens when your domain name expires?
When your domain name expires you can renew it within one month. If you don’t renew it in this period it goes into a redemption phase. It stays in this redemption phase for 15 to 30 days before it is then available for purchase again at a normal price.  Getting a domain name out of redemption phase is like buying fifty domains as it can cost around $200! If you don't renew your domain before it expires somoeone else can buy it and use it.

How to find out the owner of a domain name?
To find out the owner of a domain name, use the WhoIs search tool on the Internet .For E.g. Go to http://whois.sc and type the domain name.  It will show you the name of the registrant/domain’s owner/web host.

What is WhoIs record?
WhoIS record is a domain name search engine/Internet program where users can enter an Internet entity (e.g. a domain, a network, some hosts) and it will give detailed information on the domain registrar, the owner of the domain, and respective DNS records.

Priyanka Agarwal Hosting evangelist http://www.m6.net - Modified by Steven Leggett https://www.webhostgear.com

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Comments (1)

  • Gravatar - Richard
    Richard 03:46, May 9, 2007
    Great information, keep it up

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