Domain Registration FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Listed below are some domain registration FAQ. If you don't find your answer here, please feel free to send us your question.

01. Why do I need a Domain Name?

Domain Name is your identity on the web. To promote yourself and your business on the web it is necessary to have one. World wide people can visit you online to know about your business through your website and you can promote your online business with the domain name.

02. Who can register a domain?

Any entity, be it Individuals, organizations, ISPs, corporate resellers, etc in any type of profession can register a domain name to get recognition on the Internet.

03. What are the valid characters for a domain name and how long can a domain name be?

The domain name must conform to Standard rules for domain names:

* Only characters in the range of A to Z, 0 to 9 and hyphen are allowed for example www.test-123.com
* Names cannot begin or end with a hyphen for example www.-test123 is not acceptable.
* You can use UPPERCASE or lowercase letters when registering a Domain name, but you may occasionally run into
    problems if you mix cases, depending on the exact configuration of the web server that will be hosting your web site.
    The easiest way to make sure your Domain name will not cause you any problems later is to register it using all
    lowercase letters.
* A Domain name can contain up to 67 characters. Some Top Domains from specific countries have additional
    limitations on length and on the number of characters in a Domain. Some even specify a minimum length for a
    Domain name, such as 3 characters or more.

04. What do .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .ws stand for?

.com represents companies or for-profit organizations. It is also the most common extension for domain names. Most personal web sites also use this extension.
.net generally represents Internet Service Providers.
.org represents non-profit organizations or groups.
.info is the first of the new top level domains. It is designed for general use and is expected to become more popular.
.biz is also a new top level domain. It is designed for general business use and is expected to become more popular.
.ws means Website and is an excellent choice for any business or personal site. It is also a great alternative ifyour .com is not available.

For definitions and explanations of other domain name extensions please view our "domain name terms" article.

Though these are general guidelines, you may use any of these extensions when registering a domain name. If you want to be make sure no one else can benefit from your domain name, it's a good idea to register all good variations of a domain name.

05. Can I transfer existing domain name to you?

No problem. Many of our customers have transferred domains to our service. Whether you place an order by email or via our online order form be sure to specify that you are requesting a transfer and NOT a new domain.

06. What to do if I have registered your domain name elsewhere and want to host my website on your server?

First login to the manage your domain section of your current domain registrar and transfer the domain to the nameservers provided to you while taking a hosting package from us. If you need any assistance, click here to let us know.

07. Can I check domain name availability ?

Yes, you should always check for domain name availability before placing an order.

08. Can I register more than one domain name and point them to the same site ?

Yes, we can point multiple domains to your web site (after receiving your request), but these must point to the main site, not a sub-folder. We do offer generous multi-site discounts if you need multiple websites.

09. Do you offer technical support to customers?

Yes, we provide Technical support to our customers through Email and telephone.

10. Can I change my domain name?

Once you've purchased a domain name you cannot change it. If you wish to discontinue the domain name you purchased you should refrain from renewing it when it expires and just buy another domain.

11. How do I renew my domain name?

If we have registered the domain for you then you should send the renewal payment to us at least 14 days before expiry of the domain.

12. What DNS servers should I use when I point my domain to your servers?

Currently you should use:
Primary server host name - ns.7is.com Primary server IP address - 209.50.236.73
Secondary server host name - ns2.7is.com Secondary server IP address - 209.50.236.74
As we continue to launch more and more servers the information above will be updated in the future.

13. How do I register a Domain Name with Centaurhosting?

Please visit our "domain registration" section.

14. How much time does it take to register a Domain name?

It takes maximum of 48 hrs for a Top Level Domain name to get registered.

15. My site is not ready, can I still register my domain name now?

Yes, you can.

16. Can I register any domain name I want?

You may register any domain name you want, up to a point. Your domain name must be unique because it is an address that can point only to your web site. Additionally, you cannot register a domain name that is trademarked by another company or is so similar to a trademark that it is confusing or easily mistaken for the trademark.

17. Is there a refund if I misspell my domain name or simply do not want it anymore?

Service is rendered the moment we register the domain name for you. The domain name registry does not allow for refunds, and therefore we cannot. It is imperative that you double check your spelling of the domain name. Make sure that it is spelled the exact way you want. We cannot correct misspellings. In the event of a spelling error and you want the domain name spelled correctly (presuming it is available), you will need to register that second name as well.

18. What is a host name?

A host name is an Internet address or domain name with a prefix. For example, the host name of the domain name "yourdomainname.com" is "example.yourdomainname.com."

19. What is Domain locking?

Domain locking is a security feature that prevents your domain name from being transferred to another domain registrar without your permission. Domain locking can protect your domain name from domain hijackers and other unauthorized domain transfers.

20. What is DNS (Domain Name Server)?

Domain Name Server converts domain names into IP addresses which computers can recognize. For example, if someone wants to visit 'Yahoo' (www.yahoo.com), DNS translates this domain name into its IP address 204.71.xxx.xxx. This process enables the computer to have access to the web server directed by the domain name.

21. Can I use anything I want for my username and password?

The username must begin with a letter, but can be any combination of uppercase/lowercase letters and numbers, with a minimum of 5 characters. The password can be any combination of uppercase/lowercase letter and numbers, with a minimum of 5 characters. If a username has been used by a previous customer, you will be asked to select a new username.

22. Can I change my domain password?

Yes, you can.

23. Once I have a domain name secured, how long may I use it?

If there are no trademark disputes, your secured domain name will be yours for as long as you maintain the yearly registration fees.