Domain name FAQ

Patertech Our team of domain name experts has assembled a number of online resources you can access anytime for detailed help and information. Whether you're new to Domains or an experienced domain owner, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions like these:

1. How do I choose a domain name?
2. What do .net, .org, .us, .biz, or .info mean?
3. What can I do with my domain name?
4. Can I purchase additional domain names for an existing web site?
5. What is included in the Domains solution?
6. If I already have a domain name, can I use it?

1. How do I choose a domain name?
Your domain name is your address on the Web. It's the vehicle that helps friends, associates or customers find you or your business online. When you pick your domain name, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and hyphens ("-"). Spaces and other symbols, like underscores, are not allowed, and domains cannot begin or end with a hyphen. Domain names are not case sensitive. They can be between 2 and 63 total characters, not including the domain extension.
  • People who do not know your domain name may try to guess what it is. This is especially the case if your domain name represents a business online (e.g. your-company-name.com). For this reason, it's in your interest to choose a domain that matches your company name, or is a logical abbreviation. If your web site is based around a specific brand or subset of your products, you may prefer to choose a domain name based on that brand or product. Of course, you can always register more than one domain name to ensure customers will find you.
  • Try to register the .com version of your name first because that is the most well-known domain name extension. If .com is taken then consider using .net, .org (for noncommercial use), .us, .info, or .biz. You may want to make sure that companies who own the other extensions for the same domain name have professional and reputable sites, as your customers may accidentally visit their sites.
  • Keep your domain name short-but not too short. Shorter names can be easier to remember, but only up to a point. Be careful not to abbreviate your name so much that it becomes unrecognizable. If you must use abbreviations, focus on the one or two words that have the most impact, and work your abbreviations around those words.
  • Choose a domain that is easy to say, understand, remember, type, and spell. For example, you may not want to select www.scents.com because it could be confused with www.cents.com or www.sense.com when said over the phone or radio. Be sure to test out potential names with friends before making your final selection.
  • If your first choice is not available, try rearranging the word order, using synonyms, adding hyphens, including locations, or using abbreviations to come up with a unique alternative.
  • Once you've found the perfect domain name, protect it and your brand from infringements by registering the same name with different extensions (additional charges apply). For example, if your primary domain name is your-company-name.com, consider registering variations such as your-company-name.net and your-company-name.biz to keep them out of the hands of your competitors. You can also register domain names similar to yours with slightly different spellings or hyphens so if web surfers inaccurately type in your domain name, they'll still be able to locate you online. Domain forwarding will allow you to point these additional names to your primary domain name. Back to top.

2. What do .net, .org, .us, .biz, or .info mean?
When you select a domain name, you can choose from several different extensions. These extensions can help indicate the type of business or service you are providing online or your geographical location. Different extensions may also have different domain names available in inventory. For example, newer extensions such as .biz may have more available names than the more mature .com extension.

Here are definitions of the extensions you can choose from:

  • .com represents the word "commercial," and it is an unrestricted global domain name extension. Many businesses prefer a .com domain name because it is a highly recognized symbol for having a business presence on the Internet. But, the number of available .com domain names is shrinking as more and more businesses go online.
  • .net represents the word "network," and is an unrestricted global domain name extension most commonly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), web hosting companies, or other businesses that are directly involved in the infrastructure of the Internet. Additionally, some businesses choose domain names with a .net extension for their intranet web sites.
  • .org represents the word "organization," and is an unrestricted global domain name extension that is primarily used for non-commercial sites. However, many commercial entities register the .org extensions corresponding to their .com domain names in order to protect their brands.
  • .biz is a restricted-use global domain name extension used for business web sites. As a relatively new type of domain, .biz offers a company the opportunity to get the domain name it really wants and enhance its presence on the Web with a domain name that means business.
  • .info is an unrestricted domain name extension that creates an opportunity to reach a worldwide audience with information about your business and ideas. .info is growing in popularity, but still has many great names available.
  • .us is a restricted-use country code extension that may be used by any individual or organization with residence in the US or its territories, including foreign organizations that do business in the US. Back to top.

3. What can I do with my domain name?
Getting a domain name is just the first step in establishing your business on the Internet. It reserves an address where you can establish a web site, customized business email or an online store. Patertech offers several products that allow you to put your domain name to work:

  • Custom Mailbox provide you with customized email accounts that match your domain name. Custom Mailbox gives you one address and Business Mail provides ten, with the option to add more.This product allow you to access your email via your browser or a POP mail client, such as Microsoft Outlook. They also include SpamGuard and filters to protect your accounts from distracting junk mail.
  • Web Hosting allows you to establish a business web site at your domain name. It comes in two affordable plans and includes everything you need to get started: plenty of storage for your site content and more.
  • Merchant Solutions provides a complete, cost-effective solution for selling products online. Available in three plans to meet your business needs, Merchant Solutions includes web design tools, a shopping cart, credit card processing, product catalog management, marketing tools, and more. Back to top.

4. Can I purchase additional domain names for an existing web site?
Yes. Once you've found the perfect domain name, consider registering other extensions of the same name (like .net or .biz). When you do so, you can use domain forwarding to redirect traffic from these other domains to your main site. This makes it easier for customers to find you if they're not sure of your exact web address and it also keeps similar web addresses out of the hands of your competitors. Think about it this way: if you register your-name.net, potential customers may search for your-name.com and end up at a competing business. Why not protect yourself up front? The cost of recovering a domain name from someone else is usually far higher than the cost of registering it for yourself in the first place. Back to top.

5. What is included in the Domains solution?
Domains include the following:

  • Domain name registration. You may purchase domains for a contract term of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years.
  • A choice of domain extensions. Choose from .com, .net, .org, .biz, .us and .info
  • A bonus starter web page. This allows you to post your name, contact information, and text content about yourself or your business at your domain. You'll choose from standard templates to determine the look of the page, but note: these templates cannot be altered by adding graphics or additional pages.
  • Domain forwarding. Forward traffic from your new domain name to an existing site.
  • Email forwarding. Direct mail sent to your new domain name to an existing mailbox.
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6. If I already have a domain name, can I use it?
Yes, you can use an existing domain name.