Domain Name Registration Help

What Are Domains?

Domain names are also known as the URL or the www. address of a site. They are registered for a limited amount of time (from 1 to 5 years). Registration usually takes place through agents like Grow but all registrations are held with the relevant authorities like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or The UK registrar, NOMINET

What are Top Level and Sub Level Domains?

Top Level Domains end in .com .net. .org .info etc. They usually cost slightly more than Sub Level Domains. Sub Level domains are country specific like .co.uk .org.uk.

What is an IP Address?

I.P. simply stands for Internet Protocol. A domain name or URL will resolve or 'point' to the IP address of the server where the pages of your site are hosted.

IP addresses are a series of numbers expressed like this 127.100.100.1 - you can type IP addresses into your broswer address bar and it will find the computer it belongs to just like the www. address.

A domain name like gr0w.com can also redirect visitors to another web site or computer where files are stored- just like having your mail forwarded in the real world.

What is the DNS?

DNS is an acronym for Domain Name Servers - it is an address attached to the domain name registration details that tells web browsers on which server to look for the web site's files. So when you type into your browser a domain name like gr0w.com. it uses the DNS to find where that site is and display the files or pages.

As we discussed before, the URL or domain name is just an easier way of expressing the IP address of a the computer or server when your web site files are hosted.

When you register a domain name the registrar like Grow registers your purchase of the domain name with the domain name registration authorities like ICANN and NOMINET. Part of that registration is the DNS of the domain name. If you do a WHO IS search for any domain you should see the DNS as well as the registrant and registrar details.

Choosing a Domain Name

Domain names are a matter of personal choice but a name that is appropriate to your organisation or intended use like surfing-info.co.uk for a surfing site will help people to fnd you. At Grow we offer the best value domain registration we can starting at £7.50 per year.

*Caution: Many companies offer all-in packages but be careful of those offering free domain name registration - by doing so they often will tie you in to a hosting package that may not necessarily be the best value for money for what you need.

Buying a Domain from Grow

1. First go to our domains page and search for the domain name you would like to register.
2. Then either register the domain using our online purchasing service or contact us directly if you prefer.
3. When we have received payment you will recieve an e-mail confirmation of the registration from us.
4. If you are hosting the site with us we will help you choose what services you need based on the purpose of your website and set it all up for you. If you are hosting elsewhere simply inform us of the DNS of the host and we will 'point' the domain the those servers for you.
5. At Grow we do not operate an automatic charging system - when you domain requires renewal we will contact you requesting payment.

See our customer service promise for more information - at ever stage we make it as easy as possible for you to get good clear objective advice. Please feel free to contact us at any stage to ask for assistance.

Getting Your Domain Hosted

So you have a domain name... now its time to think about where it will point to.

A server will host your website files and at Grow we organise your domain name to point to a server for you. Our hosting packages are completely flexible allowing you to get the best deal possible and then concentrate on the fun bit of developing your idea into a website. All you have to decide is what type of server you want - hosting packages can vary considerably in price and attributes depending on what you want to do with your website.

See our hosting advice section for more information or find out how we guarantee to help you with personal support.

If in doubt we can advise you - please contact us.

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