What is a domain name?

A domain name is the essence of your company's online identity. It is a unique alpha-numeric name used to identify a particular computer (i.e. Web server or mail server) on the Internet. Domain names allow Internet users to type in a name, such as yourdomain.com, to identify a numeric Internet Protocol (IP) address such as 207.15.12.173. The purpose of domain names is to allow users connected to the Internet to find web sites and send email without having to memorize the long, numerical (IP) addresses that actually locate the computers or servers on the Internet.

What is a Top Level Domain (TLD)?

A top level domain (TLD) is the suffix attached to the end of a domain name. For example, in the domain name mycompany.com, ".com" is the TLD. There are two types of top-level domains: "global" and "country code". Global Top Level Domains (GTLD) were created to be used by the Internet public, while country code Top Level Domains (CCTLD) were created to be used by each individual country, as they deem necessary. GTLD's include .com, .net, .org, .edu, .biz, .info. Examples of CCTLD's are .co.uk, .de, .fr, which respectively are used by the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Morris Creek Hosting Solutions offers both global Top Level Domains and country code Top Level Domains.

What does it mean to "register" a domain name?

There is a central registry of all domain names on the Internet. For your domain name to become a part of the registry, your domain name needs to be added to that registry. "Registering" a domain name means you are associated with that domain name for the period of the registration. You effectively own the domain name and no one else can register that exact same name!

Who should register a domain name?

Anyone thinking about establishing a presence on the Internet should register a domain name. You don't have to utilize it right away, but you can reserve it for your future use. Domain names are being registered at the rate of more than 300,000 per month -- they go quickly! For more on why you should register a domain name, please see "Do I really need to have my own domain name?"

Do I really need to have my own domain name?

The one word answer is "YES". If you put up your web site with some of the free web hosting services, the only company who benefits is the web hosting company. The last person who benefits is you.

How should I choose my domain name?

There are some important do's and don'ts when choosing a domain name, particularly if you want to get lots of visitors to your web site. Choose a domain name that is memoriable, short, and represents your company.

What is the procedure to register a domain name?

If there's a domain you'd like to check availability for, you should enter it into the search box on our homepage. If it's available, click the checkout button and go through the registration process. The first time you register a .COM .NET .US .ORG .BIZ or .INFO domain name with Morris Creek, you'll need to set up an account with a username and password. This is how you will get access to your domains later. You may specify whatever username and password you'd like, as long as it has not been taken by another applicant. If your username has been taken, you will have to specify another username. Continue on through the registration process, and your domain name will be submitted. You will get a confirmation email at the email address you've chosen. You will also receive all email correspondence through that email address.

How long does the registration process take?

Morris Creek 's application process should take less than five minutes. All registrations take place in real time -- once your application has been processed and approved, your name is registered.

Is it possible for someone to register my domain name after I have registered it?

The availability of .COM, .NET, .ORG, .US, .BIZ and .INFO domain names is verified through a central registry system. This system prevents a domain name that is successfully registered from being registered by another person or entity. The Morris Creek registration and processing system updates the central registry in real time.

If a domain name is already registered, can I find out who owns the name?

Yes. If you check the availability of a domain name and it is already registered, click on the box: "Show Registrant Information". This will display the contact information associated with a registered domain name.

I want to register a domain, but it's not available even though it has expired. Why? What can I do?

Domains that expire at Morris Creek are released to the registry some days later. Please remember when looking at a domain's expiration date that the format is Month/Day/Year- MM/DD/YEAR. Domains that expire at other registrars are subject to their own policies. They do vary from registrar to registrar. Often, you will need to give a domain at least 30 days from the time of expiration to be released.

However, Network Solutions (our affiliate) has adopted a policy of not releasing domain names. If a name expires at Network Solutions (NSI), they require it to be re-registered at NSI. For a registrar's specific release policy, you should contact the registrar that owns the name. You can find out who is the registrar for a specific name by entering the name into the central database search engine at <http://www.internic.net/whois.html>.

If the domain name you attempted to register was already registered by someone else, you can back-order that domain name using SnapBack <http://www.qksrv.net/click-763885-3217413>™ service. SnapBack <http://www.qksrv.net/click-763885-3217413> will monitor the domain name for you and immediately it becomes available, they will automatically acquire it on your behalf <http://www.qksrv.net/click-763885-3217413>. For other expired domain name services, please see our FAQ for Expired Domain Names.

When I try to register a domain, why do I receive an error message saying "Sorry! One or more of your purchases has failed"?

The most common cause is that the Zip code in your account is formatted in a way the database can't handle. Remedy: Please review and correct the Zip code entry in your domain account. If this does not resolve the problem, enter N/A or NA as the Zip code. If this still doesn't resolve the problem, please email support.

I just registered a domain name with Morris Creek but when I check the availability of the domain in WHOIS, the domain shows up as available. Why is that?

The domain name is registered instantly, but since the global domain database takes about 24-72 hours to get updated worldwide, you need to allow that time period for the domain name to show up as registered by you. If someone else registers the same name after you have done so but before the global database is updated, his registration will be rejected or reversed.

How can I find out the WHOIS information for a domain?

WHOIS databases are specific to each registrar. If you registered the name properly, it will show in our WHOIS database immediately. It will show in the InterNIC central database 24-48 hours later, but might not ever display in another registrar's database. That doesn't mean someone else can register the name; the name record is still taken, but it might not show you as the owner.
Your best bet is always to look up a domain at the registrar of record. To find out who the registrar is for a name, go to <http://www.internic.net/whois.html>.

I registered some domain names at DomainsNow4U.com, but I did not receive a confirmation and the domains are not displayed in my control panel. What happened?

When a domain is successfully registered, our system immediately sends you an email confirmation. You can also check whether your domain name was registered by looking up our WHOIS database.

The most common reason why the registration was not completed successfully is that you may not have filled in all of your credit card details.

In particular, did you fill in your CVV2 details?
CVV2 is a security measure required for all credit card transactions. Since a CVV2 number is listed on your credit card, but is not stored anywhere, the only way to know the correct CVV2 number for your credit card is to physically have possession of the card itself.

All Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards issued in USA in the past 5 years or so have a CVV2 number, while those in Europe and Asia will be joining the CVV2 program shortly.

Below are further details about your CVV2 number. If you have any additional questions about CVV2, please contact your bank or credit card issuer.

CVV2 is an authentication scheme established by credit card companies for reducing fraudulent internet transactions. It consists of requiring a card holder to enter the CVV2 number at transaction time in order to verify that the card is on hand.

Visa & MasterCard: Your CVV2 number is printed on your MasterCard & Visa card in the signature area of the back of the card. (It is the last 3 digits AFTER the credit card number in the signature area of the card).
American Express: American Express cards have the CVV2 number printed above and to the right of the imprinted card number on the front of the card.
If your credit card does not have a CVV2 number please enter 000 in the CVV2 field.
Here is the link to re-start your domain registration.

Can I delete a domain name if I made a mistake?

No. Once you complete the registration process, you cannot delete or change the domain name. Consequently it is very important you take care to double check the spelling of the name you want before you complete the registration process.

I've got my domain name, now what?

There are several things you can do with your new domain name. Some people want to build a web site for their corporate or personal use. If that is the case, you may choose any web hosting company or select from the range of affordable, guaranteed web hosting plans Morris Creek offers to suit almost everyone.

Once you have signed up for Web Hosting, your domain name can be hosted on the servers of your web host by following these steps...

Contact your web host, and get their Domain Name Server (DNS) information. The DNS information will look something like this: ns1.webhostcompany.com
ns2.webhostcompany.com

Then enter this DNS information by clicking the "Domain Manager" link on the Domain Registration Page at this site. After logging in with your UserName and Password, go to the "Change DNS/Hosting Info" section and enter the desired changes. When you're done, your domain name will point to your new web host in about 24-72 hours.

Note: When you enter your DNS information, do NOT include any IP numbers (for example 123.45.67.890).

Others want email addresses. Again, get the DNS information from your service provider (ISP). You can have them set up mailboxes to route from your domain being hosted on their web servers. If your domain name is registered with us, you can use our email forwarding service by logging in to the "Domain Manager". Some just want to resell domain names. In that case, you may certainly sell your domain name to whomever you like. You may transfer your domain name to a new buyer by using our "Transfer of Ownership" form in the "Domain Manager".