FAQ

A domain name is a name that you reserve the right to use for a fixed period of time, typically 1 to 10 years. A domain name may be registered as a placeholder to protect intellectual property or be used in conjunction with web services such as website hosting, email or DNS services.

All domain names are registered with a "registrar", which charges a registration fee to keep track of your registration record.The registrstion record serves 3 purposes:

1. It holds the registration date and expiration date. (Fees charged and notices sent based on those dates.)
2. The record contains all related contacts involved in the use of the domain and their respective names, addresses and emails.
3. The registration record allows you to point the domain to a website or webhost. (The website or webhost must be configured to work with the domain.)

When you register your domain, keep in mind that all the following rules apply:

1. Domain names are comprised of one string of letters, numbers and may include a dash or hyphen. No spaces are allowed.
2. Domain names are all lower case. (If you see mixed case domain names anywhere else, it is just for readability.)
3. "Privacy" or "Domain Protect", is a service privided by your domain registrar. It is not part of the domain registration record.

You may register as many names as you like. Some domain names are reserved for specific entities, such as Military (.mil), Educational Facilities (.edu) and Government Agencies (.gov).

  • Go to dotmebaby.com and click DOMAIN NAMES, then click REGISTER.
  • Enter your desired domain name.
  • The name must consist of letters and numbers with no spaces.
  • The only punctuation that is allowed are hyphens -
  • Follow the steps and add any other services you may want.

By default, your domains will automatically renew 3 days before it expires. Be sure to keep your credit cardx current to avoid losing your domain(s).
You will recieve 3 to 4 notifications prior to expiration to provide the opportunity to update your credit cardx.

1. Prepare your domain for transfer at your current registrar:

  • Login and access the domain manager tools of your current registrar.
  • Update your administrative contact email address to: domains@dotmebaby.com
  • Disable any privacy or Domain Protect.
  • Disable the Registry Lock.
  • Request your EPP Code, or transfer authorization code.

2. Initiate the transfer to DotMeBaby.

  • Go to dotmebaby.com and click DOMAIN NAMES, then click TARANSFER.
  • Enter your domain name and the EPP code from your current registrar.
  • Follow the steps and if your had Privacy, add it back into your Cart.

3. Once the transfer is complete, you will see it pop into your account. Typically the transfer can take anywhere from one to five days, depending on your current registrars rules.

To connect your domain name to your website, you must point it by setting the nameservers. If you do not know your nameservers, you can obtain them by contacting DotMeBaby support.

  • Log into your account
  • Click "Domains"
  • Click the domain name you want to point
  • Click the "Nameservers" button
  • Enter the proper nameservers, then click "Change Nameservers"

Typically, nameservers look like this:

  ns1.yourhost.com
  ns2.yourhost.com

Registering a domain name has no legal precedent. In other words, just because you have registered a domain, it does not mean you have legal rights to the name. New companies or entities typically file for trademarks or copyrights before or around the same time they register their domains. Most often, they search for a domain and use it for inspiration for their brand. Others establish a brand first, then acquire a domain at auction.

It is illegal to operate a website that uses a domain name that is similar or conflicts with an established brand and that may confuse or divert business from said entity. Be very thorough when creating a new company or entity as to not infringe on other intellectual property.

Registration for use with a website:

  • Always try to register you full legal name.
  • If your legal name is very long or hard to spell and if you are going to have your own email addresses,
    try to register the "short version" or nickname of your business to make your email addresses easier to type and remember.
  • If your name is commonly misspelled, then you may want to register a few of the most common misspellings
    and forward those domains to your website so no one loses their way.


Defensive Registration (Intellectual Property Protection):

  •It's wise to register your name or brand to keep potential domain re-sellers from capturing your name and holding it for ransom.

When you register your domain, your name address, phone and email address associated with your domain are available on the web. This exposes your information to marketing companies, spammers and anyone who would profit from exploiting or selling your information. If you purchase privacy with your domain, all contact information is hidden from public view.