Domain Names

What is a Domain Name?
A Domain Name (for example, yourname.com) is a very valuable asset to a company or an individual. It provides a quick and easy way for your clients and customers to find you on the Web and to send you e-mail. However, the supply of Domain Names is limited and virtually all superior names have been registered.

What is a TLD (Top Level Domain)?
Often called extentions or "dot endings", the most common TLD's are .com, .net and .org. Although new "country code" TLD's are becoming more and more popular such as .co.uk for the United Kingdom and .au for Australia.

Can I buy and use a Domain Name that is a trademark of someone else?
It very much depends on the specifics. For example, if IBM bought apple.com, legal precedent indicates that the court would likely require IBM to release apple.com to Apple Computer. If, however, an apple farmer bought apple.com to sell fruit over the Internet, Apple Computer would likely have less of a claim. For the most comprehensive information on this topic, please read Internic's policy on Domain Name ownership.

What other top level domains are there besides .com, .net and .org?
Of the over 200 "country code" TLD's, the most popular are .cc, .ws, and .tv. For a complete list of "country code" TLD's and their respective countries, click here.

How valuable are these other top level domains?
As .com's are becoming more and more scarce .net, .org, .cc, .ws, and .tv names are all becoming more valuable, however it is our belief that the .com names will continue to lead the market in value.

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Domain Manager

What is the domain manager? Who has access to the domain manager?
The domain manager is an online utility that allows All Pro Web Designs' customers to modify their domain name information directly. It gives customers the ability to edit their Domain Name Server Information, IP Addresses, Contact and billing information. The domain manager is only available to customers that have registered their domain names through All Pro Web Designs Web site and can be accessed at All Pro Web Designs Domain Manager.

What is the purpose of having a set of DNS listed as authoritative for my domain name?
Listing a DNS (Domain Name Server) as authoritative for your domain name (which is done automatically during All Pro Web Designs domain name registration process) is a requirement for domain names to function and be accessible on the Internet. If a set of authoritative DNS is not specified for your domain name, that name will have no meaning on the Internet; in other words, a visitor attempting to connect to your domain name will receive an error message, since no DNS could be found to assist in the translation of your domain name into an IP Address.

In the event that you contract with All Pro Web Designs or another hosting company to maintain a Web site on the Internet for you, that company may request that you change the Domain Name Servers responsible for your domain name to Domain Name Servers that are administered by that company. They would then become responsible for specifying IP Address information for your domain name, the mail servers responsible for email distribution for the domain name and other necessary zone file information.

Please check with your Hosting company before specifying or changing DNS Information to ensure that the DNS that are going to be responsible for your domain name have been configured to "recognize" and respond for your domain name. If you register your domain name(s) with All Pro Web Designs, your DNS servers will be setup automatically for our servers unless you change this information during the domain registration process. This ads a big benefit to our web hosting customers.

Is there a charge for using the domain manager or for making any changes to my domain name through it?
No, accessing the domain manager and any modifications you make to your domain name information through the domain manager are free of charge.

How do I access the domain manager?
To use the domain manager, visit All Pro Web Designs Domain Manager .

Note: If you registered your domains through another registration site, you need to use their domain utilities or transfer your domain to our service and recieve an additional year registration at the same time.

To begin using the domain manager, you must log in. Use the username and password that you established during the domain name registration progress.

Once you have logged into the domain manager, you can navigate the system by using the links at the top of the screen or the menu list displayed when you initially log in.

Forgot your User Name or password? no problem click the link to have us send it to you through the email address you gave at registration.

I am having trouble logging into Domain Manager.
If you forgot the password, go to the domain manager page located at All Pro Web Designs Domain Manager and enter your email address where it asks. This will generate an email containing your username and password. Once you receive this information, you can login to the domain manager to edit the domain name(s) that were missing from your previous list.

If you know your All Pro Web Designs' username and password, please ensure that Caps Lock has not been pressed on your keyboard, as usernames and passwords are both case sensitive. Check to ensure that you are entering your domain name properly, in the format of yourname.com. Enter only the domain name, not the http:// or www and be sure to include the TLD (i.e., com, .net, .org, etc.).

I forgot my User Name and password.
If you have forgotten your All Pro Web Designs' username or password, please go to All Pro Web Designs Domain Manager and enter your email address where it asks.

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Registering New Domains

Where do I begin the registration process?
To begin the registration process, please click here. Enter the domain name you are interested in registering in the open field. Click the "GO" button to continue. If the domain name you want to register is available, you will be informed and given the option to register the other (.net or .org) counterparts at the same time. Select the check boxes next to the name(s you wish to register and click the Continue button. You will be guided through the rest of the registration process, and will be prompted to provide administrative and organizational Contact and billing information.

What do I need in order to register my new domain name?
The only things you will need in order to register an available new domain name is a valid MasterCard, American Express, Visa or Discover Card, and accurate contact and billing information.

How do I check domain name availability?
To check for domain name availability please click here. In the open field, enter the domain name you would like to register and click "GO". A screen will appear, indicating whether or not the domain name you are interested in is available, with further instructions on how to proceed. If the domain name is taken, you will be given the option to register other forms of the domain.

What if the domain name I want to register is already taken?
If the domain name you are interested in registering has already been registered, you must select another domain name that you would like to register, or try registering the same name within a different Top Level Domain. For example if yourname.com is not available, try registering yourname.net or yourname.cc. There is nothing that All Pro Web Designs can do to assist you in registering a domain name that is already registered.

What do I do if I accidentally misspell my domain name during the registration?
All Pro Web Designs has a no refund policy on Domain Name registrations.

What methods of payment can I use when registering a domain name? A valid MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover card is currently the only means of payment accepted. Note: If you are interested in purchasing a large number of domain names, please call us at (817)845-2369 or click here. Once you register your first domain name you will have a user name and password and will be able to use our multiple domain registration utility to register them any additional domains, all at the same time.

I only wanted to register my domain name for one year, but your page defaulted my registration to two years. Can I get rid of the extra year?
Once you have registered your domain name for a specified registration term, you cannot change the registration term.

All Pro Web Designs adheres to a no refund policy on all registered domain names. This includes all fees in whole or in part, even if your domain name registration is suspended, cancelled or transferred prior to the end of your current registration term. All customers requesting to use All Pro Web Designs' domain name registration services are bound by the All Pro Web Designs' registration agreement.

When my domain name is up for renewal, what increments of time can I renew it for?
You can renew your .com, .net or .org domain name for up to 10 years, when the domain name is up for renewal. You will receive a notification email before your domain name registration expires, reminding you that you need to renew the registration term.

Can I register other TLDs besides .com, .net and .org for up to 10-year increments? The only Top Level Domains that are available for variable domain name registration are .com, .net and .org. The registration term for all other ccTLDs (country code Top Level Domains - i.e., .lt, .to, .fm, etc.) is determined by the registry for the specific TLD.

I registered my domain for 2 or more years, and I want to sell it before the registration has expired. Will my current registration carry over to the new registrant?
When you transfer registrant of a domain name, the new registrant will take over the remaining term of the registration period that was initiated by the current registrant.

For example, a customer has a domain name that he has registered for five years. He wishes to transfer registrant of the domain name after 6 months. After the transfer of registrant, the new registrant will continue the existing registration term; in this case, 4 years and 6 months. There is a fee for the transfer of registrant, regardless of the term of registration. If you wish to transfer registrant of your .com, .net or .org domain name, please call us at (817) 845-2369.

I want to transfer the registrar for my .com, .net or .org domain name before my registration has expired. Will my current term of registration continue with my new registrar?
When you transfer your domain name registration, you are transferring any remaining time on the initial term of registration for the domain name. You are also required to extend your registration for an additional year.

For example, if you register your domain name for an initial 10 years, then wish to transfer the domain name after 5 years, you will continue your current term of registration, plus one year. In this case, you would then begin with the new registrar with a 6-year registration. If you wish to transfer registrar for your domain name to All Pro Web Designs, please click here for complete instructions and pricing information.

My credit card was declined or rejected during the registration process; how can I register my domain name?
In the event that you were unable to complete your registration due to a declined or rejected credit card, please try to register the domain name using a different credit card. Currently, a credit card is the only means of payment accepted by All Pro Web Designs. For more information about why your credit card was declined or rejected, please contact your bank or credit card vendor.

Can All Pro Web Designs send me a copy of the invoice for my domain name registration?
In order to request an invoice for your domain name registration, please create a customer service ticket by emailing: us. Include the following in the body of the message:

1. Your user name 2. The domain name you require an invoice for 3. A brief request for an invoice

An invoice for the requested domain name(s) will be emailed to the administrative or billing contact on file for the domain name.

Who do I contact for additional assistance?
If you have other questions or need information that is not contained above, Please email: us for any further help or questions

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Renewals

How will I know when my domain name registration is up for renewal?
We will notify you via email before your current domain name registration term is set to expire. Additionally, you can check the expiration date(s) of your domain name registration(s) through your domain manager.

Do I have first priority to renew this domain name, or can another individual register my domain name when it is up for renewal?
The current registrant of a domain name has the right to renew the registration term before the domain name is returned to the pool of available domain names upon expiration. However, should the current registrant choose not to renew the domain name, the name will become available to other potential registrants.

How do I renew my domain name registration?
To renew your domain name registration, use the link in the renewal notification email or log into the domain manager.

The domain name you are about to renew will be listed on the screen.

Next, use the select box at the bottom of the screen to choose the registration term you would like to renew the domain name for. Once you have done this, click the renew button to complete the renewal process.

When you have finished renewing your domain name registration, an invoice will be sent to you via the email address currently on file for the domain name.

Can I renew multiple domain names simultaneously?
At this time, you must renew domain name registrations individually, using the link in the renewal notification email or through the domain manager

What if I want to renew some of my domain name registrations, but not others? Do I have to renew them all?
No, you do not have to renew all of your domain name registration terms. You can choose which of your domain names you wish to renew and renew them individually.

Note: Domain name registrations that are not renewed will expire and you will no longer be the registrant of the expired name.

Can I renew my domain name registration term before my current term is set to expire?
Yes, you can renew your .com, .net or .org domain name registration at any time during the registration term. However, the term length cannot exceed 10 years at any one time. In other words, you can add time to your registration term before the term expires, but the total term length cannot exceed 10 years.

If you wish to add time to your domain name registration before it is set to expire, please log into the domain manager, located at All Pro Web Designs Domain Manager, and click on the renewal link to access a screen on which you can add time to your registration term.

How much does domain name registration renewal cost?
The renewal cost for a domain name varies, depending on the TLD (such as .com, .net, .cc, etc.) and the number of years you select. For single year renewals, the cost is generally the same as a new registration.

In what increments of time can I renew my domain name registration?
You can renew your .com, .net or .org domain name from 1-10 years. However, your domain name registration term cannot exceed a maximum of 10 years at any one time. You can renew your ccTLD (.cc, .to, .tv, etc.) domain name for the renewal term (number of years) set by that country's registry.

Are the terms of renewal different for different domain name extensions/TLDs?
Yes, each registry has its own guidelines for renewal terms.

Will I automatically be charged for renewing my domain name when my registration expires?
All Pro Web Designs does not automatically renew expiring domain names. Customers must renew their domain names using the link in the renewal notification email or by visiting the appropriate domain manager to renew each name.

What payment methods are available for domain name registration renewals?
All registration term renewals must be paid for via credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card for registration and renewal payment.

What will happen to my domain name if I don't renew the registration?
If you choose not to renew your domain name registration term, the domain name will become available for registration upon the expiration of the current registration term on a first come, first serve basis to any other potential registrant.

Can I renew my domain name, which was originally registered through another registrar (Network Solutions, Register.com, etc…) through All Pro Web Designs?
Yes, if you have registered your domain name through Network Solutions, Inc. or any other domain name registrar, you must transfer the registrar of the domain name to All Pro Web Designs before the domain name expiration date in order to renew the registration through All Pro Web Designs.

If I wish to transfer registrars at the time of renewal, can I do so?
If you want to transfer the registrar for your domain name, you must do it either before the registration expires or at least 60 days after you have renewed your registration.

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Whois

Why does my recently registered domain name still appear to be available when I go to another domain name registration site and perform a WHOIS search?
If you are checking your domain name availability on All Pro Web Designs' web site after you have completed the registration process for a .com, .net or .org domain name, your WHOIS, domain name and Contact Information is typically generated and available online immediately.

If you are querying or searching for your newly registered .com, .net or .org domain name's availability through another domain name registration web site and receive a message "No match for domain yourname.com'" it may simply be an indication that the registration web site you are visiting is not displaying the WHOIS information of competing accredited registrars. It does not mean that your domain name is still available for registration. If you were to actually attempt registering your new domain name through a competing registrar's site, you would receive a message stating, "yourname.com is not available". This is an indication that the SRS (Shared Registration System) has an entry on file for the domain name (i.e., the domain name is already registered).

Note: ccTLDs (Country Code Top Level Domains) - for example, .ro, .dk, .sh etc. WHOIS information may take a few days until updated by the individual country's registry.

How long before my newly registered domain name is accessible on the Internet?
.com, .net and .org domain names registered through All Pro Web Designs may take up to 72 hours (normal Internet propagation time) until they are accessible on the Internet.

ccTLDs (Country Code Top Level Domains) - for example, .cc, .tv, .de, etc. - may take a few days until they are accessible on the Internet. Registration processing time is determined by each individual country's registry.

Is it possible to hide or edit my Contact Information when someone does a WHOIS query on my domain name?
The Contact Information displayed in the WHOIS should always be kept current. You can edit this information to display whatever you would like (although you cannot leave the fields blank). Please note that if you enter invalid or false information, you are breaching the terms of the All Pro Web Designs registration agreement.

WARNING: Be sure that the contact email address listed for your domain name is valid and accessible. Certain changes and/or confirmation of changes to domain name information typically involve a process requiring access to the contact email address on file to complete the confirmation process.

Why are the changes I made to my domain name still not appearing on the Internet?
Changes to domain name information are not instantly reflected and typically require standard propagation time.

Any changes to IP Addresses, Domain Aliases, MX and SOA Information typically take up to 24 hours to take effect.

DNS changes (which require updating information on file with the registry) may take up to 72 hours to be reflected on the Internet for .com, .net and .org domain names. DNS modification schedules for ccTLDs vary.

How do I change the email address and/or Contact Information on file for my
.com, .net and .org domain names registered through All Pro Web Designs? For .com, .net and .org domain names registered with All Pro Web Designs and/or domain names for which All Pro Web Designs is the registrar, you can edit the Contact Information, including email addresses, associated with the domain name registration using the Manage Your Domains link, which can be accessed here.

Once you have reached this page, you will be prompted to log in using the user name and password you created when initially registering the domain name.

Transfer Registrant - If I change the Contact Information for my domain name to another person or organization, will that change the registrant of the domain name?
No. The only way that registrant of a domain name can be transferred to another person or organization is through an official Transfer Registrant.

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DNS

What is a DNS (Domain Name Server)?
A DNS (Domain Name Server) is a computer connected to the Internet that is responsible for distributing your domain name's zone file information, which translates your domain name into an IP Address and specifies the mail server(s) responsible for email distribution for your domain name.

What is the purpose of having a set of DNS listed as authoritative for my domain name?
Listing a DNS (Domain Name Server) as authoritative for your domain name (which is done automatically during the All pro web Designs domain name registration process) is a requirement for domain names to function and be accessible on the Internet. If a set of authoritative DNS is not specified for your domain name, that name will have no meaning on the Internet; in other words, a visitor attempting to connect to your domain name will receive an error message, since no DNS could be found to assist in the translation of your domain name into an IP Address.

In the event that you contract a Hosting company or ISP to maintain a Web site on the Internet for you, that company may request that you change the Domain Name Servers responsible for your domain name to Domain Name Servers that are administered by that company. They would then become responsible for specifying IP Address information for your domain name, the mail servers responsible for email distribution for the domain name and other necessary zone file information.

Please check with your Hosting company before specifying or changing DNS Information to ensure that the DNS that are going to be responsible for your domain name have been configured to "recognize" and respond for your domain name.

What is a primary and secondary Domain Name Server?
Domain Name Servers (DNS) typically function in pairs; one server, called the Primary Server, will be responsible for updating the second DNS with relevant information about their domain names. The Secondary Server is dependent on the Primary Server for information. The relationship between the servers is established and maintained by the DNS administrator. As a result, when specifying a set of authoritative DNS in Domain Manager, it does not make a difference what order you specify the related entries.

What Domain Name Servers are currently listed as authoritative for my domain name?
To view the DNS (Domain Name Servers) listed as authoritative for your domain name, log into the domain manager. The screen will display all current DNS listed as authoritative for your domain name.Note: This feature is only available for domain names where All Pro Web Designs is the registrar on file.

How do I change the DNS Information listed as authoritative for my domain name?
Often, Web Hosting companies and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) will request that you change the authoritative DNS (Domain Name Server) Information for your domain name so that they may manage and make necessary zone file modifications for the domain name; for example, connecting your domain name to a Web site they may be hosting for you, or setting your domain name's mail routing options.

In the event that your Web Hosting company or ISP has requested that you change the DNS Information currently listed as authoritative for your domain name, you will need to make the changes to your domain name using the domain manager.

Once the information has been submitted to the registry, please allow 24-72 hours (standard Internet propagation time) for the update to be completed.

For step-by-step instructions on how to edit your DNS Information through the domain manager, please email us at help@allprowebdesigns.com.

Note: In order to edit the DNS (Domain Name Servers) listed as authoritative for your domain name, you will need to have access to the current email address on file for the domain name. You will need to be able to access this email account in order to complete a confirmation process that has been set up to ensure that the requested DNS change is authorized. This confirmation email will be sent to the email address on file for the domain name and will include a URL link to the last step in the confirmation process.

My ISP/Hosting Company asked me to have All Pro Web Designs "release" my domain name. What does this mean?
When an ISP or Web Hosting company tells you that the registrar needs to "release" your domain name in order for them to point it to your Web site or configure it for email, this basically means that you need to change the DNS (Domain Name Server) Information listed as authoritative for your domain name.

Do I need to change my DNS Information if I sign up for Web Hosting with another company?
Often, Web Hosting companies and ISP's will request that you change the DNS (Domain Name Server) Information for your domain name so that they may manage and make necessary zone file modifications for your domain name; for example, connecting your domain name to a Web site they may be hosting for you or setting your domain name's mail routing options.

In the event that your Web Hosting company or ISP directs you to change the DNS Information listed as authoritative for your domain name to DNS that they administer, the IP Address and other zone file related functionality of Domain Manager is no longer relevant or accessible. The administrator of the new DNS will need to create the necessary zone file entries for your domain name using their own systems. Zone file modifications through Domain Manager (such as IP Addresses and MX Records) can only be made when the domain name lists All Pro Web Designs' DNS as authoritative for the domain name.

Your Web Hosting company or ISP may provide you with the following two options:

Option 1: Update the authoritative DNS listed with the registry for your domain name to DNS
that they manage so that they can administer your zone file entries using their internal systems.

Option 2: Allow All Pro Web Designs' DNS to remain authoritative for your domain name and simply edit
the IP Address of your domain name using the domain manager, so that your domain name translates to the IP Address of the computer that is hosting your Web site.

Note: Although this option is a quicker means of achieving the same objective of connecting your domain name to the Web Server that is hosting your Web site, Option 1 may be preferable to your Web host or ISP, since they will be able to create and manage the exact zone file settings for your domain name without requiring you to make the changes through the domain manager.

How long does it take for changes to DNS Information submitted through Domain Manager to take effect?
DNS (Domain Name Server) changes must be confirmed via a link that is sent to the contact email address on file for the domain name. The link accesses the final step in the confirmation process. Once this confirmation process is completed, it will take from 24 - 72 hours for your DNS changes to be effective across the Internet.

I have changed the authoritative Domain Name Servers for my domain name to servers administered by a company other than All Pro Web Designs. Where can I go to make changes to IP Addresses, Domain Aliases, MX Records or SOA Information?
To make any changes to your IP Addresses, Domain Aliases, MX Records or SOA Information after you have changed the DNS listed as authoritative for your domain name from All Pro Web Designs' DNS to another company's DNS, you must contact the new DNS Administrators, since they are now responsible for creating and managing the zone file for your domain name.

I modified the DNS Information for my domain name, but the new information is not showing up in the registry and/or I still cannot connect to my Web site.
In the event that you have changed your DNS (Domain Name Server) Information and it seems that the old information is still active, one of the following three issues has most likely occurred:

1. The information has not yet propagated throughout the Internet. Standard Internet propagation time is 24-72 hours. Propagation time is the time that it takes for a change to your DNS Information to be "recognized" on the Internet. In other words, when you update your DNS Information, it must be distributed to the root servers, which are a series of thirteen computers responsible for domain name information (for global Top Level Domains, .com, .net and .org). The time it takes to reach all 13 of these root servers is called "Propagation Time" and is generally from 24-72 hours.

2. The Domain Name Servers entered were either misspelled or incorrect. If the DNS that you would like to list as authoritative for your domain name were either misspelled when entered or if the wrong information was entered, the information may not be functioning. Please check the domain manager to ensure that you have entered the correct information. If the DNS Information was provided to you by an ISP, Web Hosting company, or network administrator, please verify the spelling of the Domain Name Servers with them and re-submit your DNS modification using Domain Manager. You can verify the validity of a Domain Name Server at nsiregistry.org

Perform a search by entering the DNS name you are attempting to list or by entering the IP Address of that Domain Name Server. The query should produce the same result for both searches - an indication that the DNS is registered.

This database does not get updated in real time. Newly registered DNS may not yet be listed.

3. The administrator for the DNS (Domain Name Servers) listed has not yet created a zone file for the domain name on the proper DNS. Please contact the company or individual responsible for administering the Domain Name Servers that are listed as authoritative for your domain name. Check with the administrator to ensure that a zone file has been created for the domain name, and that the server has been properly reloaded since this file has been created.

A zone file is a file stored on a DNS in which all of the information needed to resolve (i.e., translate or connect) your domain name with its IP Address or Mail Server is contained. If this file does not exist on the Domain Name Servers that are responsible (authoritative) for your domain name, your domain name will not be accessible. The individual or organization that manages the DNS that you have listed is the only entity that can create or edit the zone file entries for your domain name. The domain manager will only allow you to edit zone file entries if All Pro Web Designs' DNS are listed as authoritative for the domain name. Therefore, if your DNS Information is correct and has propagated throughout the Internet (i.e., it has been 72 hours since the change was made), you may need to confirm that a zone file has been created by the new DNS administrators.

I've initiated changes to the list of authoritative Domain Name Servers for my domain name, but I don't have access to the email address on file with All Pro Web Designs for my domain name. How do I confirm my changes?
In the event that you need to make DNS (Domain Name Server) modifications but no longer have access to your old email account, the Registry database requires notarized authorization via fax or mail from the registrant to change the email address information associated with the contact(s) on file for the domain name.

Please email: us for instructions on doing this.

Do I need to own or register a DNS (Domain Name Server)?
You do not need to own or register your own DNS (Domain Name Servers) in order to register a domain name or to sign up for email or Web Hosting services. You only need to register a Domain Name Server if you have your own DNS running and wish use it to point your domain name instead of a Web Hosting company's server or our servers. In order to do this, you will also need to specify a unique, static IP Address for each server.

Please email: us for instructions on doing this.

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