What is a domain name?

A domain name is a unique address that identifies you on the Internet. Once a domain name is registered, it is no longer available to any other party to register. Domain Names allow Internet users to type in a name, such as example.com, to identify a numeric address such as 209.67.50.203. The purpose of domain names is to allow ordinary users connected to the Internet to find web sites and send email to addresses with familiar names such as "example.com" or "webfarm.co.nz" without having to memorize the numerical addresses that actually locate the computers or servers on the Internet.

Do I need a domain name?

Mostly, people get a domain name because they want to establish a presence on the Internet, eg a website, or their own email address. This is often a 'branding' issue in business - most Name Holders want to use the company name as part of their e-mail or web site address, rather than the name of their ISP. eg yourname.co.nz.

A domain name gives you a 'portable' identity on the Internet; it means if you change your ISP, you keep the same e-mail address identifier so you don't have to change the company stationery or call your friends to let them know your new email address, or redirect e-mail for example.

For businesses, there are many benefits to having a presence on the Internet. As a means of reaching people with common interests or to promote or sell your product or service, the Internet is probably unequalled as a marketing tool.

For interest groups, it presents an opportunity to swap and share information, make new contacts and exchange ideas.

The power of holding a domain name is only harnessed when used in conjunction with other Internet services, such as e-mail or a website. If you have no need to link your name to an Internet application, then you may have no real need for listing a domain name. However, many people also register a domain name to preserve it for future use.

What .nz Domains can be registered in New Zealand?

.ac.nz - Tertiary educational institutions and related organisations
.co.nz - Organisations pursuing commercial aims and purposes
.geek.nz - A domain name for the "Geek" or technical community
.gen.nz - Individuals and other organisations not covered elsewhere
.govt.nz* - Government departments and offices
.iwi.nz* - Maori tribe, typified by a Trust Board
.maori.nz - Any party that relates to or represents Maori culture, business or other matters
.mil.nz* - Military
.net.nz - Organisations and service providers directly related to the NZ Internet.
.org.nz - Not-for-profit organisations
.school.nz - Primary, secondary and pre-schools and related organisations.

*These names are moderated, i.e. require permission to register from respective authority.

What is a DNS Server?

A DNS (Domain Name Server) is a computer that serves up domain names from a database. It tells the browser what IP address is allocated to a domain name.

How long is my domain name mine for?

Your domain name will remain yours as long as you continue to pay your registration fees.

What happens if I register a domain name but mis-spell it?

For .nz domain names if you contact WebFarm within 72 hours of initial registration....
For .com, .net, .org, .biz and .info domain names if you contact Freeparking within 24 hours of initial registration....
we can cancel the domain name and refund that transaction in full. After this time, it is not possible for us to cancel the domain name at the Registry or issue refunds.

Please note that .uk and .au domain names cannot be cancelled after registration, so please be careful to spell correctly when registering.

What happens if my contact details change after I register my domain name?

It is your responsibility to keep your contact details up to date at all times. WebFarm uses email to send communications about your domain name, including renewal reminders, so it's essential your email address is correct.  To modify your details, log in to the My Account facility provided on our website.

Who is the 'Name Holder' or 'Registrant'?

The Name Holder or Registrant is an identifiable individual (over 18) or a properly constituted organisation listed in the Registrant field on application for the domain name. It is extremely important on initial registration that care be taken to ensure that information for the domain name, the Registrant and the Registrant's contact name is recorded accurately in order for us to deal with the appropriate entity in the future.

What is a "Domain Registrar"?

A "Registrar" (or "Domain Name Registrar") is an organisation that has control over the granting of domain names within certain TLDs (top level domains, like the generic .com/.org/.net or country-specific .nz/.us/.uk etc.).

What is a "Domain Registry"?

The 'Registry' is the system backend that is maintained by the operators of the TLD (Top Level Domain). Registrar's write new names to a central registry database, from which the authoritative root (essentially, a table of all domain names) is built. In the case of .nz, InternetNZ through its registry company New Zealand Registry Services runs the registry, and qualified registrars have shared access to it.

What is a "WHOIS" database?

WHOIS databases contain nameserver, registrar, and in some cases, full contact information about a domain name. Each registrar must maintain a WHOIS database containing all contact information for the domains they 'host'. A central registry WHOIS database is maintained by the Registry.

What is a UDAI?

A UDAI is the Unique Domain Authentication ID and applies only to .nz domain names. It is a unique identifier issued at the time of registration of a domain name under the New Zealand SRS registry. To transfer a domain name from one registrar to another, the UDAI must be supplied to the gaining registrar. The UDAI can be obtained from the existing registrar upon request.

What is an Auth Code or EPP Key?

An EPP Key (also called an Auth Code or Authorisation Key) is like a password, and is required to transfer ..com, .net, .org, .biz and .info domain names from one Registrar to another.  You can obtain the EPP Key for your domain name from your existing Registrar. WebFarm customers will find a tool to obtain the EPP Key for their domain name from within the "My Account" facility on our website.