Domain Names- FAQ's
General Domain Information:
• What is a domain name?
• Do I need a domain to host a site with TOAD Web Sites?
• How much time does it take to get a domain on the Internet?
Registering a new domain:
•What are the steps and costs involved in getting my domain?
•Do you provide registration services?
•Do I need to get the domain or the hosting account first?
Transferring existing domains to TOADWebSite Host:
•How do I transfer my domain to my TOAD Web Site hosting?
TOAD Web Sites domain settings for new and existing sites:
• What are your DNS servers?
• Who should be set as the technical contact?
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique identifier for an Internet site; a domain name contains two or more parts separated by dots, such as "yourcompany.com". The part before the dot identifies the unique name of your site, while the second part identifies its origin or type; for example, ".com" is a commercial site, while ".gov" is a government site, and a ".it" is a site in Italy.
Do I need a domain to host a site with TOAD Web Sites?
A domain is not necessary to host your site with us. You could use what is called a sub-domain on toadwebsites.com. If you use this method, your site can be accessed in the format: http://yourname.toadwebsites.com/
You can replace the word "yourname" with anything you want, but we DO NOT recommend this method for business sites. Domain names are very inexpensive these days, and it's much more professional for businesses to have their own domain.
How much time does it take to get a domain up and running?
It can take 24 to 72 hours before your domain propagates across the Internet. This is by far the most frequently asked question we are asked and is probably one of the most important concepts to understand. It can take up to 72 hours (and sometimes longer) for all the servers on the Internet to pick up the DNS changes for new and transferred domains.
What are the steps involved in getting my domain?
To register a domain name, you don't need anything more than the registration service. After you register your domain you may park it or activate it. To activate your domain, you'll need reliable hosting service. We offer our clients affordable hosting to fit every budget. Please see our Hosting page for more details.
Do you provide registration services?
TOAD Web Sites offers domain name registration services via our affiliation with Wild West Domains, Inc., an Accredited Registrar. We can register your domain for you, or if you'd rather set up your own account with Wild West Domains or GoGaddy you are welcome to do that.
We are not the least expensive domain registration service out there; we know you can find cheaper domain names. However, by hosting and registering your domain with TOAD, you will have peace of mind knowing that both your Web site and hosting are in very capable hands, and your billing information will remain secure! You can also rest assured that YOU will own your domain, not the designer who builds your Web site. Buyer beware! Know your Web designer/developer. Make sure YOU own your domain. There are sites on the Internet that make it seem cheap and easy to buy your domain, build your web site, and maybe even offer free hosting. Sometimes, these companies retain the rights to your domain name! It's how they keep you locked in to their hosting and maintenance which inevitably rise each year. You can literally be "nickeled and dimed" to death by such companies. We cannot stress this enough...Buyer Beware! Know exactly what is included in your domain name, site-builder, and hosting provider you choose to do business with.
Do I need to get the domain or the hosting account first?
This really makes no difference, although we suggest you register the domain you want as soon as possible as there is a chance that someone else might take it if you wait. There are hundreds of thousands of domains registered every day, and if you think your domain name is a good one, you're better off registering it as soon as you can rather than waiting and perhaps face disappointment if it is taken. We've seen this happen to clients, so by all means, secure your domain name ASAP!
How do I transfer my existing domain to TOADWebSite hosting?
Your registrar needs to be told that TOADWebSite is your new Web host. To do this, you need to visit your registrar's Web site and set your domain name to point to our DNS servers and technical contact. Most registrars have Web-based interfaces which let you make these changes easily with step-by-step instructions. Because the procedures vary greatly, you will need to contact the individual registrar to find out how to make the changes. We know this process can be confusing, so please ask us for help if you need it. If you want us to take care of this for you, we will need your login and password information to access your account at your existing Registrar.
What are your DNS servers?
NS.TOADWEBSITE.COM and NS1.TOADWEBSITE.COM
Who should be set as the technical contact?
TOAD Web Sites, Inc. should be set as the technical contact on all domains we host. This is done so that if we ever have to change the DNS server numbers, we'll have the information we need and your site will not experience unnecessary downtime. The technical contact should be set as follows:
TOAD Web Sites, Inc.
P.O.Box 721261
Orlando, Florida 32872-1261
1-866-TOAD-WEB
email: kathy@toadwebsites.com
We hope we've answered your questions; but if not, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We'll respond as soon as possible.
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