Support

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the name of your website. For example, our domain name is Dotster.com.

What are valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?

The only valid characters for a domain name are letters, numbers and a hyphen. Special characters like the underscore "_" or "&" are NOT permitted. Domain names cannot contain spaces or begin or end with a hyphen, "-". Domain names can be up to 63 characters long including the 4 characters used to identify the Top Level Domain (i.e., .NET, .COM, .ORG, or .EDU).

What does it mean to "register" a domain?

When you register a domain name, you create an entry into a directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on the Internet. Your registration records that you are the current registered owner of your domain name.

How much does a domain name registration cost?

Prices vary, depending on domain extension and terms of registration. Please see our TLDs page for more information.

Once I have registered a domain name, how do I get my site onto the Internet?

Once you register your domain and build your website pages, you need to choose a hosting package. During the hosting package selection step, you'll upload your website files to your account and they will be posted live on the Internet.

Pressed for time? Don't know how to build a site? Dotster also offers our Design Studio SM service. Our design team will work one-on-one with you to build you a custom website in a matter of days, not months. To learn more about Design Studio SM , click the link below. Design Studio SM

I already have a domain name; how do I renew it at Dotster.com?

When you register a domain at Dotster, your account is set to Auto Renew by default, meaning your domain registration will automatically renew using your credit card information on file. You can turn off Auto Renew. When your domain is close to expiring, you will be notified at your email address on file.

Once I have registered a domain name, how do I modify my DNS, administrative, technical, and billing information?

Simply log into your account and go to the 'My Domains' Tab. Then click on the domain you would like to manage.

How do I change ownership/registrant information if I sell or transfer a domain name?

You can change the ownership information for a domain name within your account, or give a new owner full access to this domain by moving it to a new account. If you have other domains in your account that do not belong to that person, it is not recommended to give them access to your account.

Changing Domain Ownership Information Within Your Account

1. Login to your account
2. On the Home Tab, click the Edit Profile link under the Account Owner Profile
3. Enter your contact information
4. Click the Update button

Will my name and contact information be publicly available?

For standard domain registrations, your name, address, telephone number, and email address are publicly available. Dotster does allow private registrations to keep your personal information private.

How long does a registration last? Can it be renewed?

Registrations typically last one or two years, but some domains can be registered for up to ten years. When you register your domain at Dotster, the terms and length of your registration will be clearly defined up front.

Do I receive an email address with my domain name?

When you register a domain, you will need to select an email or hosting package to receive a block of email addresses. If you don't have a website and you need fewer than 10 email addresses, then check out our simple email plan.

If you plan on launching a website or you need a larger block of email addresses, then explore one of our hosting options.

What happens if I don't renew my domains?

There are several steps after your domain expires to safeguard you from losing any domains you want to keep.

1. 60-days* before your domain(s) expire Dotster will send notices reminding you to renew them. The exact expiration date can be seen in your account.
2. If the domain expires it may still be maintained in the registration database for a 5-day* grace period where it can be renewed at the normal renewal price. During this time all services such as hosting or email will not be active.
3. After the grace period it will be deactivated and placed into a 30-day* Redemption Period (Note - Some domains may not make it to the redemption period if they are purchased by a third party. Be sure to renew your domains before they enter redemption status.)
4. Once the Redemption Period has elapsed the domain may be registered by another party.

* - Number of days stated in the domain expiration/redemption explanation are approximate.

My domain is in "Redemption." What does that mean?

(see renewal process above) Once a domain goes into the Redemption Period it can be obtained by other parties. You may still be able to redeem the domain for up to 30 days by request by filling out this form (there is a link to the form below). The fee for reactivating a domain in the Redemption Period is $99.95 + the normal renewal fee. At the end of the Redemption Period the domain(s) will go into a 5-day delete cycle at the end of which they will become available for anyone to register.

NOTE: The links to this information are provided in our renewal notices.

Make a request to reactivate domain(s) in the Redemption Period

There are errors in my account info. What do I do?

Click the "Update Account Info" button. Log in to your account. Update any incorrect fields in your account information and click "update." Note: If you are still getting more than one consolidated notice even though the account IDs are the same it may be because your account information is different. By making the account information the same you will get one notice.