Domain Names

Common Domain Name Questions

Whether your are looking for support on an existing domain name, or just looking to make sure the features you require are included before your register your new domain name, you will find answers to the most common questions in this F.A.Q.

1. What is a domain name?
2. What is a nameserver?
3. What is a DNS ‘A’ record?
4. How do I build a free website with my domain name?
5. How do I connect my domain name to Moonfruit.com?
6. How do I connect my domain name to Wix.com?
7. How do I connect my domain name to Weebly.com?
8. Why is there a DNS propagation delay when I make DNS/Nameserver changes?
9. How do I connect my domain name to MobileMe.com for publishing using iWeb?
10. How do I get my MobileMe site to work without the WWW prefix?
11. Can a non-UK citizen register .UK domain names?
12. What does “Registration request being processed” mean on my WHOIS record?
13. Why does ‘Everyones Internet’ show as my non-UK domain name registrar in WHOIS?
14. What is the difference between a parked domain and a hosted domain?
15. How can you offer free domain names? Is there a catch?
16. Can I use my domain name to point to my free ISP webspace?
17. Can I have any email sent to my domain name automatically forwarded to my primary email address?
18. Can I change my domain name servers?
19. Can I change my domain name IPSTAG?
20. How do I change my domain email/web forwarding?
21. I don’t want hosting now, can I add it to my domain name later?
22. I want to change my domain name, can I get a refund for the old name?
23. How long does it take to register a domain name?
24. What characters are valid in a domain names?
25. A domain name I want expired a while ago, why can’t I register it?
26. I just registered my domain name with you but it still says its available?
27. My Domain Name is not working yet, what is wrong?
28. Do I have to pay VAT even though in my country we do not?
29. How do I transfer my Domain to another Provider?
30. How do I transfer my Domain Names to UK-Cheapest?
31. What are the domain name renewal costs after 2 years?

Ongoing Charges and Fees

Before you register a domain name, we want to make you fully aware of all charges relating to the registration and use of your domain name.

Registration Costs

• .UK, .CO.UK, .ME.UK, and .ORG.UK domains start from £7.49 per year
• Non .UK (com, net, biz etc) domain names start from £9.99 per year

Renewal Costs

After the initial registration period has expired, the renewal costs become active. The renewal cost for all domain extensions is shown clearly in the Client Area from the moment of registration.

• .UK domain name renewal charges are £9.99 per year
• Non .UK (com, net, biz etc) renewal charges are £14.99 per year

Domain Privacy Costs

• Privacy is offered for £FREE with all .UK domain registrations.
• Non .UK (com, net, biz etc) domains come with privacy services for just £3.99 per year.

Maintenance Costs

There are many features that you receive with your domain name. Please find below the costs associated with each feature.

• Homepage Builder – £FREE – there are no ongoing costs with this service.
• Nameserver changes – £FREE -there are no ongoing costs with this service.
• Email forwarding – £FREE -there are no ongoing costs with this service.
• Web Forwarding – £FREE -there are no ongoing costs with this service.
• Custom DNS changes – £FREE -there are no ongoing costs with this service.

Transfer In Costs

There is no cost to transfer-in any .UK domain name however there is a 1 year renewal cost added to all non-UK domains. The renewal charges of transferred in UK domains are as stated above.

• All .UK incoming transfers are at no cost.
• All non .UK domains incur a 1 year renewal cost extending the registration period by 1 year.

Transfer Out Costs

There is no need to transfer your domain name to use it with any other web host, however, sometimes you may wish to transfer your domain name away to another domain name host so that their renewal costs will apply.

• All .UK IPSTAG changes (transfers away) are free of any charges.
• All non .UK domain UNLOCK and TRANSFERS are free of any charges.

Changes to charges

Changes to our charges will be detailed on this page. An alert will also show in your domain name control panel to advise that the charges have changed and you will be asked to review this page to ensure you are aware.

Questions?

If you have any questions do visit our HelpDesk. VAT is applied to all charges stated above.

With so many registrars to choose from it is difficult to determine which deals are the best.

If you have done your homework you will have already discovered that the initial registration cost is not the only cost you need to consider. The hidden fees make it extremely difficult to choose who to use. We make it very easy – by not having any! 

• Transfer Out Fees – Our Transfer Out (or Away) fees are £0.00, that’s right, we do not hold you to ransom if you register your domain name with us. You can transfer your domain away at any time.
• Beware the Small Print – There is NOTHING in our small print that will enable us to charge, penalise or fine you in any way for the use of your domain name.
• WHOIS Record Charges – It is important to keep your WHOIS details up to date. We do not charge for any changes to your WHOIS record nor do we restrict updates to your WHOIS record, you are free to make these changes.
• IPSTAG Change Fees – We do not charge any fee to transfer away your UK domain name or for IPSTAG changes. Many registrars make this fee so high it’s easier to stick with them. Check this fee before you register with anyone
• Registrar Lock Fees – It is important to lock your non-UK domain but we don’t extort you for it. We give you FULL control over your Domain Locking. You can lock and unlock your domain at will and as required at no cost
• Transfer Auth Code Fees – Registrars often quote free transfer outs and then charge you for the AUTH code! You can get your domain auth code from us at any time for free. The transfer away of any domain is at no cost.
• Parked Domain Advertising – To make money from domains many registrars place advertisements on your parked domains. We do not place third party advertisements on your parked domain or any other service.
• Web Forwarding – You can forward your domain name to any location and change this setting whenever your with. For free. Often registrars will make small annual charges for changes to your web forwarding service.
• Name Server Changes – You are free to change your name servers as you wish, no limited, for free.
• DNS Management – This is often an additional fee based service to your domain registration. With us, you have FULL control over your domain DNS Management at all times. There are no fees to make any changes. Ever.

If your domain is hosted, this guide is not for you. If your domain name is parked, ie. using name servers ns.microlite1.com and ns2.microlite1.com and you have purchased a POP Mailbox – read on…

Your domain is registered, you’ve got your Webmail login for your Domain POP Mailbox, now you want to get things moving on your iPhone or iPad. Here is an example of a POP Mailbox configured on an iPad3 (Ok, The New iPad). Obviously use your own name, username and password as provided.

First, let’s set up the Incoming Mail Server:

Now let’s setup the SMTP Outgoing Mail Server:

That’s all there is to it. You can use the same setting in other mail clients such Outlook, Entourage etc.

It may soon be possible to register the much anticipated .UK extension for UK domain names. For instance, instead of domain.co.uk you will be able to register the shorter domain.uk version. This new domain extension will only available to UK registrants.

Nominet have begun a 3 month consulation ending January 7th in order to consider the issues put forward. The new extension would be a new service that would run alongside the already popular .CO.UK, .ME.UK, .ORG.UK and .LTD.UK domain extensions.

The .UK domain extension will not simply be another extension. It will be provided with additional security and verification features including:

* Available only to UK registered addressess
* Daily monitoring for malicious software and viruses
* Trustmark support for verified domains

The proposed pricing to domain registrars of the new .UK extension will be £20 per domain per annum as opposed to the current £2.50 per domain per annum for the other .UK extension.

You can respond to the consultation either by completing an online form, by downloading the consultation and emailing your comments to direct@nominet.org.uk or by requesting a hard copy of the consultation from direct@nominet.org.uk

View full details directly at Nominet’s web site under Consultation on a new .uk domain name service