What is a domain name?

A domain is a unique name used to identify and locate computers on the Internet. A domain name is an address on the Internet that your customers will use to find your company. Typical domain names would be concordnet.com.au or microsoft.com.  

What are the components of a domain name?

The domain name is made up of two parts:

• A top level domain

• A second level domain

In the domain name concordnet.com.au, the .net is a top-level domain, and ConcordNet is a second level domain

What are country code top-level domains?  

The United States uses the .com, .net, and .org codes, but other countries, territories and geographic locations have a two-letter country code as part of the top-level domain. For example, Australia uses the .au extension, therefore the top-level domains become com.au, .net.au and .org.au. It should be noted that the .com, .net and .org are also known as “international top level domains”, as any business or person worldwide can register a domain name using these domain extensions. The rules for registering domain names in the country code top-level domains varies significantly, and some are reserved for use by the citizens of the corresponding country. To see the rules for registering a domain name click here

What are the benefits of registering a domain name?

A business can protect its products, trade name or unique identity by registering a domain name. This will prevent someone else from using it, and this allows you to gain worldwide recognition of you product or trade name on the Internet. This is especially the case if you want to use a domain such as yourbusiness.com.

Click here to check if your domain name is available.

Your domain name is portable.  Without a domain name your business relies on your Internet access provider for an email address, for example, yourbusiness@bigpond.com.au. If you change access providers you will need to change your email address. With a domain name you avoid this hassle, your email address will stay the same no matter what access provider you use, for example, sales@yourbusiness.com.au . So your domain name or web address stays the same whether you move the physical location of your business or change Internet access providers. There is no need to notify suppliers and customers of your new email address, or print new business cards and letterheads, your domain name and email address remains the same.

Click here to register your domain name today

A domain name builds credibility on the Internet. If you are trying to do business on the web, a domain name is essential. It is the difference between setting up a stall at the markets with 40 other stalls and owning you own shop.

And with registration for $40 a year for .com, .net and .org domains, this is a very small price to pay for increased credibility in the eyes of potential customers. Domain names can be resold or leased. Some names have sold for over $1 million - and cost less than $100 to register

Domain Names can be used to improve a site’s ranking by Search engines. If you want to promote your business on the Internet some search engines favour web sites with a domain name over others that take their domain name from their Internet access provider, for example, http://yourcompany.bigpond.com.au If you are trying to run an online business you need a unique domain name before people can take your company seriously. Click here to register your domain name today

How do I choose an effective domain name?  

There are several important factors to consider before you choose a domain name:

• How easy will the name be to remember? The successful domain names are those that are easy to recall.

• How will the domain name look on business cards and company stationery

• Will the domain name make a good first impression?

• How many characters will be in the domain name? A domain name can be 67 characters long (including the domain extension), but the ideal length should be no more than 20 characters. In general, when selecting a domain name “less is more”. In other words the shorter the domain name the better.

Why buy your name from ConcordNet  

• There are no hidden costs. The registration fee is value for money with all fees stated upfront.

• All domain names registered through ConcordNet will be in your name (or your company’s name if you nominate this).

Who does a registered domain name belong to?

Domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis, and much like a phone number, no one can actually own a domain name. Legally, you only own a license to use the domain – you do not gain title to it. However, for all practical purposes the end result is the same. When you complete the order form to register a domain name you should pay special attention to the company or organization field. It is this field that determines the “ownership of the domain. If you do not as yet have a company formed or are not acting as an agent for another organization, we usually recommend that you put your name in this field to avoid disputes about ownership. A domain name remains under the control of the lessee as long as (a) the lessee pays the renewal fee when due and (b) the domain name does not infringe a current trademark or legal right of anyone else to register the name.

The license fee is payable yearly, although if you register your domain name through ConcordNet you can prepay the fee for between 1 and 10 years. Click here to see our domain registration pricing

What does it mean to “register” a domain name?

The Internet Domain Name System (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, or all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the computer on the Internet you designate during the period the registration is in effect.  

What is involved in registering a domain name?

To register a domain name you will be asked to provide ConcordNet with the various contact and technical information that makes up the registration, such as:

• The administrative contact for the domain. This is the person or organization authorised to act on behalf of the domain name owner. The administrative contact should be able to answer non-technical type questions about the domain name and its proposed use.

• The billing contact. This is the person or organization that will be invoiced for the registration and renewal of the domain name.

• The technical contact. This is the person or organization that can answer technical questions about the domain name and its registration. In most cases where ConcordNet registers a domain name for a customer, we act as the technical contact.

ConcordNet will keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry". This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. Your will also be required to enter a registration agreement with ConcordNet, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained. 
Click here to see the domain name registration agreement

What does a domain name cost?

Click here for domain name registration costs.

Do I need a Website to own a domain name?

No, you can reserve a domain name even if you don’t have a website (this is known as domain parking). ConcordNet will register your domain name for just $30 per year with free domain parking. Later, when you build your Web site you can host your new Web site with ConcordNet with one of our "value for money" hosting plans.

When I register a domain name do I get a website too?

ConcordNet offers a number of options for customers when they register their domain name through us. We offer the complete package that includes domain registration (.com, .net, and .org), Web site development and Web site hosting from a low $77 per hour. Click here to check out our Design section.

What are the domain name rules?

Click here to see the domain name rules for .com, .net, .org, .com.au and .net.au.