Domain Name FAQ

Frequently asked questions about domain names

Domain name registration with UKC is easy. As the UK's fastest growing cheap domain name provider we register all domain names in your own name unlike other domain name companies. All cheap domains are fully featured and there's no popups, no ads, no restrictions and certainly no small print to catch you out!

However, there are always questions. So, before you consult our HelpDesk, take a browse through our domain name FAQ.

How can you offer FREE domains and renewals? Is there a catch?
Can I use my domain name to point to my free ISP webspace?
Can I have any email sent to my domain name automatically forwarded to my primary email address?
Can I change my domain name servers?
Can I change my domain name IPSTAG?
How do I change my domain email/web forwarding?
I don't want hosting now, can I add it to my domain name later?
I want to change my domain name, can I get a refund for the old name?
How long does it take to register a domain name?
What characters are valid in a domain names?
A domain name I want expired a while ago, why can't I register it?
I just registered my domain name with you but it still says its available?
My Domain Name is not working yet, what is wrong?
Do I have to pay VAT even though in my country we do not?
How do I transfer my Domain to another Provider?
How do I transfer my Domain Names to UK-Cheapest?
What are the domain name renewal costs after 2 years?

We are authorised Tucows and Nominet Members for the provision of UK and TLD domain names

1) How can you offer FREE domain names? Is there a catch?

There is no catch! We offer FREE UK domain names with our hosting packages. You can read more about this offer in our Free Domain FAQ. With our domain registrations there are NO BANNERS and NO ADS - this is a full service! We do not advertise on your site and your domain belongs to you!

2) Can I use my domain name to point to my free ISP webspace?

Yes. This is called web forwarding. You can redirect your domain name to point to your free webspace. We support framed web forwarding so your domain name remains in the address bar. There is no cost for this service. All aspects of your domain name can be managed on your Domain Management control panel.

3) Can I have any email sent to my domain name automatically forwarded to my main email address?

Yes. Any email sent to anyone@yourdomain.co.uk will be forwarded to the email address of your choice. There is no cost for this service. All aspects of your domain name can be managed on your Domain Management control panel.

4) Can I change my name servers?

Yes. Your nameservers can be changed whenever you wish. There is no cost for this service. All aspects of your domain name can be managed on your Domain Management control panel. Your Nameservers can only be changed via your Domain Management control panel.

5) Can I change my IPSTAG?

Yes. All aspects of your domain name can be managed on your Domain Management control panel. Your IPSTAG can only be changed via your Domain Management control panel. Changing your IPSTAG will transfer your domain name to your new provider. There is a small administration charge for IPSTAG changes.

6) How do I change my email/web forwarding?

Once your domain is registered you will receive an email containing all the information required to change any of your domain name settings. All aspects of your domain name can be managed on your Domain Management control panel. If you can not locate this email then please advise us, quoting your order number, and we shall forward the email to the email address used at the point of order.

7) I don't want hosting now, can I add it later?

Yes. You can add hosting to your domain name at any time in the future. You do not need to purchase hosting with your domain name. Please note, that you will not qualify for the FREE UK Domain Discount if you purchase your services seperately.

8) I want to change my domain name, can I get a refund for the old name?

Unfortunately domain names cannot be unregistered. Once registered they are yours for the minimum 2 year period.

9) How long does it take to register a domain name?

How fast can you type?! Once you have found the name you would like then simply register it with us online and the registration process will be commenced.

10) What characters am I allowed in domain names?

The rules for domain names are:

1. characters allowed abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789-
2. cannot start or end with a hyphen (-) or contain a space
3. UK RULES: length between 2-63 characters
4. UK RULES: 2 characters allowed if 1 letter and 1 number
5. US RULES: length between 2-67 characters including .com
6. INFO RULES: length between 3-68 characters including .info
7. BIZ RULES: length between 3-68 characters including .biz

11) A domain name I want expired a while ago, why can't I register it?

When a domain name expires it often takes weeks or months before it "drops"; i.e. before the domain again becomes available to the public. The decision as to when to allow a domain name to drop is effectively up to the registrar concerned.

Although some registrars allow expired domain names to "drop" immediately, other registrars give the owner a "grace" period after the official expiry date, within which the domain name owner can renew the name. It is common for such "grace" periods to be 1 - 180 days.

12) I just registered my domain name with you but it still says its available when I do another domain search?

The domain search utility uses the global WHOIS database to check the availability of domain names. This database can be up to 36 hours old and so any registrations that have taken place in the last 36 hours may still show as availble.

13) My Domain Name is not working yet, what is wrong?

Once your Domain Name has been registered, it then has to be recognised globally (known as propogation) by all the servers and ISPs servers, these only update periodically on a daily basis. Therefore it can take from 24/72 hours for your domain name to be fully functional.

14) Do I have to pay VAT even though in my country we do not?

Value added Tax (VAT) at the current rate is added to all UK-Cheapest invoices. This applies to both EU countries and non-EU countries. This is a ruling by HM Customs and Excise because the service is supplied in the UK and not the country of the ISP or registrant. You may be able to reclaim VAT in your own country. Please see the HM Customs & Excise website for details.

15) How do I transfer my Domain to another Provider?

This depends on the type of domain involved.

UK Domains: If the domain is of UK type (eg .co.uk/.me.uk/.org.uk etc) then you must login to your control panel and change the IPSTAG, this will transfer your domain to your new provider.

Other Domains: If your domain is of global type (eg .com/.org/.net/.biz etc) then the company that you are transferring your domain name to will commence the transfer. Please note domains can not usually be transferred if registered within the last 60 days.

16) How do I transfer my .co.uk/org.uk Domain to UK-Cheapest?

Is your domain name is due for renewal with another provider? You can transfer your domain name to uk-cheapest and renew it at a much lower price!

Simply ask your current domain provider to "change the IPSTAG to MICROLITE". Often you can do this in your domain name control panel without having to contact your provider at all. Then, simply advise us that you have changed the IPSTAG and we will renew the domain for you at our low price.

17) What are the domain name renewal costs after 2 years?

We know you love our domain name prices! After 2 years your domain will come up for renewal. This is where most providers STING you! Some charging up to £80+VAT for renewal. Here are our renewal costs...

UK-Cheapest.co.uk