1. What is a domain name?

A domain name is an alphanumeric Internet address, formed by the name that you have chosen and a TLD (Top Level Domain).  A domain name is most often used to name a website (such as www.webistewizard.org) or an email address (info@mysitewizard.org).

In these examples ‘mysitewizard is the domain name and ‘.com’ the TLD.  The TLD is the extension such as .com, .net to name a few.
The popularity of the web has made it increasingly difficult to secure the domains that we first choose or the most popular extensions.

How can you get almost what your in a domain with a little compremise? You can use hyphens/dash in your domain name.  In some cases, a dash between a string of words can be an asset.  This can make the domain name both easier to read and easier to remember. 

A domain name must contain less than 63 letters/number characters (no spaces). Domain names  are not case-sensitive.

A domain name is easier to remember than its IP address (such as 146.101.249.106). Fortunately, the domain name does not change according to the place where your web or e-mail data is actually hosted.  You can change your hosting company or your Internet access provider without having to change the name of your website or your email address.

2. Do I need a domain name?

If you are building at site with mysitewizard.org you are provided with a free domain name.  At a later name you can purchase a domain name that suits your best.  Click on the Prices tab above to see which packages you get additional domain names.

A domain name allows you to personalize your address on the web.  A domain name can be used both for a website address, i.e. http://www.mysitewizard.comYou can keep your domain name no matter where you host your website or your email, so it can be a great way of creating a consistent long-term address for yourself or your business on the Internet.

3. How do I buy/register a domain name?

Simply go to above menu and locate ‘Domains’. Then use the search tool provided to find a domain name that you want to buy.  Start by typing your ideal name into the search box and we will tell you which extensions (.COM, .NET, .ORG, .CO.UK etc) are available.  You can then choose to buy any number of domains from the available list.  Most popular names or words are already taken with the most popular extensions.  So may need to try several times to get a domain name that you are satisfied with.

4. What can I do if my domain name is taken?

The domain name system has been around for many years, so many of the popular words or phrases have already been taken along with the most popular extensions (.COM, .NET, .ORG, .CO.UK etc).

When you do a search we will show you which extensions (or TLDs) your domain name has available, i.e. it might not be available as a .COM though you could buy it as a .biz or .EU. If you are still unhappy with the selection, you will have to try something else.  It can sometimes take a while to get something you like, but everyone gets there in the end.  With a bit of effort you can locate an available domain name that is right for you.

5. How long before I can use my domain name?

After you have requested and paid for a domain name, your domain is registered by us as quickly as possible (normally this occurs in a few minutes). As soon as you received our order confirmation by email, the domain name belongs to you, and is no longer available for anyone else.  Then you can manage the domain via your ‘Domains’ page.

Our database is updated immediately and the registry record is normally updated within a few minutes.  That’s why sometimes you may not immediately see your domain name in the Whois.net database.

Technically, your domain may take about half a day to become available worldwide.  This is the delay required for the technical information to be distributed throughout the Internet. During this time, your website will not be accessible from this domain name.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

This delay pertains to DNS propagation and does not depend on us, but rather, on the entire network of servers that make up the Internet.

6. How do I use my domain name with my site?                                      

If you have bought your domain name through our domain service then setting it up to use with your site is very easy.  Simply go to ‘Domains’ on the toolbar (Use Edit first on the Basic Toolbar) then click on ‘Manage your domains’ in the drop down.  You will then see a list of your domains.  Click the ‘manage’ link on the domain you want to edit and you will se an option to ‘point’ this domain to one of your sites.  Select the site you want from the drop down list and that’s it!  It should be up and running on this address very quickly.

If you haven’t bought your domain name through our domain service then you will need to contact your current domain name provider and ask them to ‘point your DNS A record’ to our web servers IP address which is 146.101.249.107.  This can also be described as ‘managing your zone file.’  You will then need to go to the ‘Admin’ section of your site, then go to the ‘site addresses’ tab and add your domain name to the list of addresses associated with your site.

Your domain provider may ask you for name server details, but you do not need these.  A name server is like an address book and the A-record is your address.  You don’t need to change your address book to change your address!  If your domain provider can’t update you’re a-record, then you will need to transfer your domain to a provider that does offer this, or use a free (3^rd part) service like Zone Edit that allows you to manage your DNS zone file yourself.

7. Can I use my own domain name with my site?                                     

      a.  Please ask your domain name provider to point your ‘DNS A-record’ to the IP address of our servers at 146.101.249.107

 b.  Add your domain name to your site.  From the toolbar (advanced view), select ‘Adminàsite address’ which will load the ‘Admin’ panel.  In the ‘Site Address’ tab enter the domain name in the last text field provided and click ‘Add’.  You can have up to 3 additional addresses for your site.  Alternatively, you can access the ‘Admin’ panel and the ‘Site address’ tab in basic view ‘by using ‘Edit > Manage your site.’                      

You may have to wait for up to 72 hours for the change to take effect.  If in doubt after this period, double check with your domain
name provider that they have ‘pointed’ your ‘A-record’ and not just forwarded your domain.  By pointing your domain name to our servers and adding it to your site.  Addresses as instructed above, your site will be indexed correctly by the search engines and will minimize problems with many features, especially PayPal.

Tip: Please ensure that you check before purchasing that the domain name provider permits you to change your DNS A-record.  You must be allowed to ‘point’ you’re a-record to our web servers.  If they cannot provide this service then you will need to find a domain name provider who does allow ‘pointing’.

 8. I already own a domain name, how can I use it with my site?                                                                                                         If you already own a domain name, want to use it with your site and don’t want to transfer it to us, follow the instructions below:

     a. Please ask your domain name provider to point your ‘DNS A-record” to the I address of our servers at 146.101.249.107 

     b. Add the domain name to your site. Click ‘Edit my site’ to ensure you are in edit mode.  On  the toolbar (advanced view), select
        ‘Admin’ -> Site address’ then enter the domain name in the last text field provided and click ‘Add’.  You can have up to 3   
        additional addresses for your site.  With your toolbar in ‘Basic view’ you can use ‘Edit’ -> ‘Manage your site’ 
       ‘Admin’ 

This change can take up to 72hrs to take affect.  Note: We do not recommend using URL forwarding as search engines will not index your site successfully and it will impact some features e.g. PayPal.

Note: Your domain name provider must permit you to change your DNS A-record.  You must be allowed to ‘point’ you’re a-record to our webservers.  If they cannot provide this service then you should consider transferring your domain into sitemaker.  More information can be found in ‘Can I transfer my domain name…’ FAQ.  This operation may incur a charge by your current provider. Looking for more information for: transferring websites to our domain service or pointing your domain name from another provider to your website that you have built with us go to  Support  and enter your search into the box.