A domain name represents a specific location on the internet, typically, an IP address. Without domain names, we would have to try to remember a string of numbers to access a site online, or send an email. Domain names are mapped to IP addresses using a system called DNS. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) currently manages the links between IP addresses and domain names. This allows us to access websites by typing in an easy-to-remember name, instead of a string of numbers.
Domain names are just one of the pieces needed in order to have your own website. Without a hosting service for your domain, the domain won't be able to display what you want to share with the world. That being said, a domain name is just as important as having hosting. To get a domain name, you have to register one. You can register a domain through an ICANN accredited registrar, which we are, so you can register your domains through us! Once you have a domain name, you need to set it up with DNS, which will map your domain name to an IP address, which are attached to specific locations on the internet. If you don't want a hosting service right away, we offer a variety of included services that you can apply to your domain including:
A "Domain Reserved" page to let others know that the domain is registered.
An "Under Construction" page to let people know they should expect your site to be available soon.
A URL Redirect which allows you to direct visitors to an existing site when they visit your domain name.
A Frame Forward which allows you to direct visitors to an existing site when they visit your domain, but they will still see your domain name in their web browser. You can also add a description, keywords, and a title with this option which will allow you to start building a search engine presence for your domain. Please note that some destination sites prevent the use of Frame Forwards.
Domains are registered on an annual basis and you can have one registered for up to 10 years at a time. Once you have a domain registered, you have to renew the registration on an annual basis (or before its expiration date if you've registered it for longer than 1 year). Everyone has to renew their domain name in this same way (even the multi-million dollar companies out there). If you don't keep the registration of your domain name up to date you can, unfortunately, lose possession of your domain. Due to this, in a sense, no one can ever outright own their domain name without having to keep the registration for their domain active.
A premium domain is a previously registered or existing domain that is of a higher quality and has potential for a memorable web site. Having a domain name that is memorable, directly related to your online business, and that instantly attracts your target audience is the first step in establishing every successful and profitable web site. Because the domain is already registered, you will most likely end up paying a premium price for the domain. It's important to remember that, even though you may have paid a premium price, premium domains still need to have their registration kept up to date in order for you to maintain ownership/possession of the domain. We have an offering of over 500,000 high quality premium domains to chose from. You can search by category or keyword on our website by going to our Domains page and filling out the search field under "Find Your Premium Domain".
If you already have an account with us:
Log into your account and hover over the Domains navigation tab.
Select the Register Domains option from the drop down menu.
Enter the domain in the search box and click Search.
You should now see the results of your search. Select the domain(s) you would like to register and click the Continue With Order option. If the domain you're looking for is unavailable, click the Start a New Search button to return to the main search page.
Choose if you would like your domains to be Automatically Renewed, and/or if you would like Private Domain Registration, and then click the Continue With Checkout button to complete the registration of your new domain.
If you do not already have an account with us:
Go to our Domains page and enter the domain name in the Search Field. Click Go.
You should now see the results of your search. Select the domain(s) you would like to register and click the Continue button. If the domain you're looking for is unavailable, click the Start a New Search button to return to the main search page.
Choose if you would like your domains to be Automatically Renewed, and/or if you would like Private Domain Registration, and then click the Continue With Checkout button to complete the registration of your new domain.
Log into your account and hover over the Domains navigation tab.
Select the Domain Renewal option from the drop down menu.
Check the box to the left of the domain you would like to renew.
Choose the amount of years you would like to renew your domain for and click the Renew button to pay for and complete the renewal of your domain.
To transfer your domain name to us, you'll need to first make sure of the following:
The domain name must be currently active. Domains in Redemption Status cannot be transferred.
The registrar lock for your domain must be turned off. This can be done through your current registrar.
The transfer authorization (also known as EPP) code must be obtained from your current registrar.
To initiate the transfer of your domain over to TierraNet:
Log into your account and hover over the Domains navigation tab.
Select the Transfer Domains option from the drop down menu.
Enter the domain you would like to transfer in the search box and click Start Transfer. Note that you can enter multiple domains in the search box, separated with either a comma or a space.
Use the drop down menu under Registration term to select the number of years of registration you would like to add to the domain during the transfer process. Click Add to Basket to continue onto payment.
Once you've completed the transaction for your transfer, please look at the top of the Domain Services page for a red exclamation point. Then click the link regarding the pending transfer(s). Our system will ask for the transfer authorization (EPP) code a few minutes after the order.
Whereas we are sad to hear that you're leaving, we understand the need to transfer your domains. However, if there is anything we can do to encourage you to stay with us, please let us know! If you still plan on transferring your domain, there are a few things you should know:
Your domain has to be registered for at least 60 days before your domain can be transferred.
Your domain name should be active during the time of transfer, if your domain is expired, please contact support. Domains in Redemption Status are not eligible for transfer.
The registrar lock for your domain will need to be set to "off" in order for the domain to be able to transfer.
The transfer authorization (EPP) code will need to be obtained from within your account and supplied to your new registrar.
To turn the Registrar Lock off:
Log into your account and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
Expand the Domain that you wish to transfer.
While viewing the domain you wish to transfer, click the Registrar lock button in the bottom left hand column.
In the pop up, click the Continue Unlocking button.
Please note that it may take up to 12 - 24 hours for the new registrar lock status to reflect within the Whois database.
To obtain your Transfer authorization code:
Log into your account and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
While viewing the domain you wish to transfer, find the Registrar lock button in the bottom left hand column.
Click View Auth-Info/EPP Code link to the right of the Registrar lock.
Clicking the View Auth-Info/EPP Code link should generate a small window containing the transfer authorization code for that domain. Please note that this code is case sensitive, you will need to submit this code to your new registrar exactly as it appears in your account with us.
After the transfer authorization code has been successfully submitted to your new registrar, they may send an email to the administrative contact of the domain, found in the Whois database, asking for approval of the transfer request. Please note that not all registrars take this step. Once the authorization code has been successfully submitted, and/or the transfer has been approved on the gaining registrar's side, our system will send you an email within 24 hours, asking you to approve the transfer. If you choose to reject the transfer at this point, the transfer request will be canceled. If you do not specifically reject the transfer, or don't respond to the instructions in the email, the transfer will automatically go through within 5 days.
If you just registered the domain within the last 5 days, you can cancel the registration of the misspelled domain, and try to register the correct one. Please note that if your domain name has been registered for more than 5 days, we will not be able to cancel the registration of the domain. To correct your misspelled domain:
Log into your account and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
While viewing the domain you need to correct, if the domain is within its initial 5 days of registration, you should see two buttons listed under the domain, Refund and Correct Spelling.
If you choose the Refund option, the domain will be canceled and your account will be issued a credit for what you paid on the domain.
If you choose the Correct Spelling option, you will be canceling the registration of that current domain and given the option to register a new domain of equal value.
Please keep in mind since the spelling has changed, the domain you are looking for may already be registered, in which case, the domain will not be available for registration through your account.
For most types of domains (.com, .net, .org, etc.) we're able to provide a 30 day renewal grace period. This means that, whereas your domain's services will be suspended once your domain expires, you will still be able to renew the domain at your regular renewal rate for up to 30 days after the expiration date. Please note that we will always encourage domain registrants to renew their domain(s) before their expiration date. It's always good to be safe than sorry!
Most expired domains should be fully active again within 24 hours of renewal. In some cases, services for your domain might activate after only a couple hours, but it's typical for it to take about a day for most.
Nameservers are machines on the Internet which convert domain names into numerical (IP) addresses that computers can understand. Nameservers basically tell web browsers where to go and what to do when you try visiting a domain name. Your domain name must use at least one nameserver in order to function properly. You can use the default nameservers provided by TierraNet, or you can use the nameservers provided by your web hosting company or IT manager.
To update the nameservers for your domain:
Log into your account and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
Expand the domain you wish to update, click on the Edit button next to the listed Nameservers found on the right hand column.
To use our nameservers for your domain, click on the Use Defaults button. If using another provider's nameservers, simply replace the currently listed nameservers with the new ones. Click the Preview Changes button.
After reviewing the previewed changes, click on Confirm Changes to complete the change on your domain.
Since Nameserver changes have to propagate through the primary root servers of the internet, it can take up to 24 - 48 hours for nameserver changes to fully propagate. If it has been over 48 hours since you've updated the nameservers for your domain and you're not seeing what you're expecting, please let us know.
In order to use your own Nameservers, you first need to register the nameserver name with the registry. Registering your own nameservers can be done through the registrar of the domain that you are trying to use for the nameserver name(s). To register your own Nameservers through our system:
Log into your account and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
Click on the Register Nameservers button on the top of the page.
Enter the name for your nameservers (typically something along the lines of ns1.yourdomain.com) and then enter the IP address for the server that you have configured as a nameserver.
Click on the Register Nameserver button. Your nameserver will be registered through the registry and should be ready for use within a few minutes.
With your nameserver(s) registered, you should now be able to assign domain names to your new nameserver(s).
Whois (pronounced who is) is a protocol that allows you to search databases that store information about domain names. More specifically, it will include information ranging from the creation and expiration date of a domain, the registrar the domain is currently registered through, and the nameservers the domain is using, to the contact information for the registrant and administrator of the domain. There are many sites, including ours, that provide Whois access.
Through the Whois database your contact information is freely available to anyone who wants it. Spammers, telemarketers and others use the WHOIS database information they collect to send unwanted email and calls or sell your contact information to others who will do the same. With Private Domain Registration you can shield yourself from unwanted intrusions, fraud, theft and SPAM.
Moving a domain between TierraNet accounts is a different process than transferring the domain to another registrar. To move domains between accounts:
Log into the account currently holding the domain you would like to move and click on the Domains navigation tab to go to your main Domain Services page.
On the Domain Services page, expand the domain you wish to move and click the Move This Domain button on the bottom right hand corner.
Enter the username of the account to which you would like to move the domain(s) into the To account: field.
To move additional domains, click the Edit/View selections button and check the desired domains from the pop up box. Once the domains have been selected, click Submit.
Click the Continue button to Confirm the move of the domains.
The domain name(s) should be immediately moved into the new account.