What is a Domain Name?
All computers on the world wide web ("the Internet") are assigned special numbers called IP addresses (Internet Protocol Numbers), e.g. 210.8.67.40, to enable them to locate and communicate with each other. Like telephone numbers, each Domain Name must be unique.
Domain names are used generally as a convenient way of locating information and reaching others on the Internet. The Domain Name System was created so that names like www.domainreg.com.au could be used in place of 210.8.67.36:80.
Your domain name should be distinctive and directly related to your company's name. In many instances people find your web site by assuming or guessing, based on your company name, so it is imperative that your Domain Name is easily associated to your company's name.

What are the benefits of Domain Name registration?

	Like any trade name, logo, or brand name, your domain name is an integral part of your corporate identity - it should be something customers and businesses can recognise, remember, and positively associate with your services or products.
	Security - Once registered you have secured your business name, product or service for the Internet - providing you are not infringing on someone's trademark rights. Once registered it's gone for good!
	Use your Domain Name for personalised e-mail addresses. Everyone in the organisation can have his or her own personal e-mail address. Stop advertising your local Service Provider's domain!
	Your Domain Name is a powerful marketing tool. Promote your Domain Name on your business cards, letterheads and marketing material.
	Avoid cypersquatting. Cypersquatters are people that register Domain Names and approach companies with the intent of making financial gain out of selling the registered Domain Name.
	Your domain name is portable. It is independent of your ISP, hence your web address and e-mail will remain constant wherever in the world you may venture.
	Submissions to search engines - Some engines are reluctant to list a site without a domain name.

Companies are realising the true marketing potential of the Internet, and are often disappointed to find their Domain Name has already been taken by another company - are you one of them?

I think I have a Domain Name?

Not sure if you have a true Domain Name or not - look at the following examples.
A true domain will be in the following format:-
Yourcompany.com
Yourcompany.com.au

A subdomain or subdirectory Domain is where your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is still promoting themselves
Yourcompany.yourISP.com.au
YourISP.com.au/business/clients/yourcompany

If you fall into the sub-domain category you should register your true Domain Name immediately. Provide a solid perception of size, stability and professionalism for your company's presence on the web. Register Now

Who controls the Domain Name registrations?

Each country has a controlling registrar(s) that approves and holds the applicant information on domain name ownership and technical information on location of your web site and e-mail services.

International Domains - .com, .net and .org are registered through one of several accredited registrar's with all information centrally located in the USA.

In Australia, the controlling body AUNIC (soon to be controlled by auDA) maintains the information and database detailing who has registered what domain. Again there are several organisations that control each domain space. InternetNamesWorldWide control the .com.au space , Connect.Com controls the .net.au space and various other bodies control the other au Domain Name spaces.
On registration through DomainReg the information is submitted to the appropriate registrar - the contact information you provide will act as the administrative contact for the Domain Name record. This information is required to authorise changes or modifications to the Domain Record. All records of Domain Names in a database called "WHOIS." This database provides other computers on the Internet with the information necessary of the location of your Domain Record.

Domain Registrations is an agent for all the above controlling bodies and registrars.

Who is ICANN?
Based in the USA, ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the organisation that was formed to administer the IP (Internet Protocol) address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system (DNS) management and functions. Visit www.icann.org

Who is Internic?
Until Mid 99, Internic was noted as Network Solutions, the registrar in the US of .com. .net and .org Domains. Network Solutions was the sole registrar of .com, org and .net Domain Names unitl ICANN introduced competition and established several accredited registrars. Internic now is a central location of information and resources on all accredited registrars.

Who is AUNIC?
Each country is assigned a body that controls the administrative functions associated with the operation of the Domain Name system. - AUNIC is Australia's. (Shortly to be handed over to auDA)

How do I register a Domain Name?
Simple!

1. Search for a domain name
2. Select the name you wish to register - check the Naming Guide for allocation rules.
3. Submit your details

Want to register your domain name - click here to do so

Who can register a Domain Name?

International .com, net, org Domain Names
At present there are no restrictions on these domains. Any individual, business or company can register in this domain.
Australian Domain Names
You must be a registered company, business, association or organisation operating and registered in Australia to register in this domain.
Please refer to Naming Guide

Once I have a Domain Name - What next!

That is entirely up to you - You have made the most important step of securing your domain name. Once you have your domain you can then have e-mail services implemented for personal e-mail addresses for everyone in your organisation. Plus you can use your domain name for your web site. Both of these services usually incur fees - but are a very cost effective, beneficial and profitable form of communication and business operation in today's world.

Transfer a Domain Name:-

International Domain Names.
.com, .net. org
If you wish to transfer the ownership of a Domain Name - it must fall into one of the following categories:-
1. organisation to organisation
2. individual to organsiation
3. individual to individual
4. organisation to an individual

E-mail transfers@domainreg.com.au and we will provide you with the necessary documentation - include the domain name as a tracking number needs to be generated. Transfer can take upto 2-3 months in busy periods through Network Solutions.

Australian Domain Names
To date you cannot transfer .au Domain Names. They must be terminated then re-registered by the new company in compliance with the allocation rules outlined in the Naming Guide

E-mail transfers@domainreg.com and we will provide you with the necessary documentation. .au transfers take up to 10days.

I like your service - how do I delegate my domain to you?

For further information on delegating to DomainReg see Delegations

I wish to delegate my domain to another ISP - how do I do that?

1. Talk to your chosen ISP and they will take you through the process.
It involves a letter of authorisation to the appropriate Registrar from you.
E-mail: services@domainreg.com.au

I need to update my contact details?

Please E-mail admin@domainreg.com.au

How long does it take to process my domain name?

DomainFastService - DomainReg is an authorised Channel partner and authorised agent for the most popular Domain Names providing us with priority services.
DomainFastService ensures your Domain Name is registered as quickly as possible to ensure your name is secured promptly.

.com, net, org - Can be registered and approved in 5 minutes if need be
.com.au 24-48 hours working days
.net.au - 12-36 hours working days
.asn.au. edu.au & gov.au - 1-2 weeks
.org.au - 1-2 months

Australia - Allow 2-3 days for internal processing and delivery of information via Post -
Internationally - Allow 5 days for internal processing and delivery of information via Post -

On receipt of approval and license you may then use the Domain Name on your business stationary, letterhead and business cards, e-mail services and web site address and traditional marketing materials.

What is Cybersquatting?

This is when an individual, business or company registers domain names with the intent to on-sell and profit from the sale of the Domain Name to a legitimate organisation that it might be readily identified to, own the trademark or benefit from the domain name. Recent developments have lead to various procedures being put in place to prevent cybersquatting such as up front payment methods on all Domain Name registrations. It has also been ruled in the USA that is now illegal and you could be sued if found guilty of cybersquatting. However, cybersquatting does still occur - register your name now

What is I-Mail?

I-mail allows users to access e-mail through any web browser from anywhere in the world

	You may read and send e-mail from any Web browser - Netscape, Internet Explorer etc
	I-Mail is full of Enhanced Web Messaging Features so you can enjoy familiar mail client features such as Address Books, Attachments and Multiple Folders
	I-mail is complete with Anti-Spamming controls
	You may self administer your mail for mail delivery including Auto-responders, directory information and vacation messages.
	Full message sorting and search facilities by date, subject or sender

You will need to have some form of Internet Connection. Documentation and a basic Setup and User Guide will be provided on approval of your Domain Name or is readily available on our Web Site.

I already have an E-mail account through my local Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

The new E-mail provided by DomainReg will be associated to your new Domain Name - so you promote your business name rather than your local ISP's. E-mails associated with you Domain Name are portable, even if you change ISP's, your e-mail address will stay consistent - no hassle of new e-mail setup, additional fees and notifying customers of new e-mail addresses.

Eg:- yourname@newdomainname.com.au rather than yourname@ISP.com.au

You will still need a connection to the Internet. You can now have multiple e-mail accounts all forwarded to the one location to save you logging on to several different services to view your mail.
For multiple e-mail addresses we recommend using Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook
Once you have one of these packages installed, follow our basic Setup and User Guide