FAQ Domains

A domain, top level domain, TLD, or extension, is the last part of the domain name following the "." (dot) to the right of the web address (url).

A domain is a sequence of characters interspersed with "." (dots) and each dot separates one level from the next.
As we have already seen, the top level domain is the rightmost part after the last "." of an url; while the part that precedes the "." is simply the second level domain.
Let's use the domain www.dominiando.it as an example to identify the levels, starting from the right:

• "it": top level domain managed by the Italian Registry of .it domains;
• "dominiando.it": a second level domain assigned by the Registry to Dominiando;
• "www.dominiando.it": third level domain used to direct Dominiando's web resources on their own servers.

Normally the end user is assigned a second level domain through which the various resources are directed by Nameserver systems.

A domain is the basis of most services used daily on the Internet.
For example, the domain "dominiando.com" is essential for the site www.dominiando.com to be accessible to visitors, and for the info@dominiando.com email to work properly.
Technically, by using a nameserver system, a domain translates a catchy name into IP numbers (domain name resolution), facilitating the access to the various resources of the owner of the domain; its operation is very similar to what happens with a cellphone’s phonebook, where selecting the contact "Joe Schmoe" triggers the call to a number of 10 or more digits.

Most domains can be registered by any applicant, whether it be a business or a private customer.
In some cases, however, the registry may impose registration requirements that are more or less restricted, in which case you must re-enter to register the domain.
For example, in the case of .com domains, there are no restrictions, while with the .travel domains, you have to demonstrate that you are a company operating in the tourism industry.
Dominiando regularly publishes and updates information on the various rules for the different types of domains, so by checking our domain profiles, you will always know whether or not the domain you want to register has limitations.

Dominiando allows you to register more than 1,500 domain extensions and has one of the widest assortments in the international panorama, including classic generic domains (.com, .net...), all Italian second level domains (.rm.it, .milano.it...), all international domains that are eligible to be registered on the 5 continents (.fr, .us...) and all recently introduced new domains (.online, .guru...).
This wide selection not only allows you to have more of a chance of finding a name that suits your needs, but it lets you protect your name in markets or areas where you could have users in the future.

Some extensions have registration limitations, and you can find all the details in our domain profiles, which are constantly updated.

The characters that are allowed are: all letters in the alphabet, numbers from 0 (zero) to 9 (nine) and "-" (hyphens). A "-" cannot, however, be used for the first or last character.
The maximum number of characters a domain name can be composed of, varies from domain to domain. Depending on the domain chosen, in real time our system automatically verifies the exact number of characters permitted.

 "Internationalized Domain Name" domains or "IDN" are Internet domains that contain non-ASCII characters. This makes it possible for you to use characters of all existing non-Latin alphabets like Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, etc. These involve transforming the domain into a string of characters and numbers, which always starts with "xn--".

As many as you like!
With Dominiando, all domain types and extensions are managed by a single control panel, which also facilitates the management of multiple domain portfolios.

The DNS (Domain Name System) is the Internet's framework and is responsible for the resolution of all domain names and their translation into IP addresses according to a hierarchical system in which each node is essential, so that domain resources can be visible.
Dominiando, to ensure maximum reliability of managed domain name resolution, uses a complex Multicast DNS system consisting of 4 public nameservers distributed on 3 different continents. This not only allows extreme reliability and scalability of the system, but also accessibility by users around the globe, even in the event of there being problems or slowdowns in the backbone of international connections.
The system also supports an optional Premium mode that optimizes the features described above by using 18 nameservers distributed over the 5 continents and accelerates response times by using the nearest DNS server for each individual user, enabling them to receive an answer in less than a few milliseconds!

Yes, Dominiando's order wizard allows you to easily differentiate the future recipient of the domain you intend to register from our direct client.
In this way you can request the registration of domains and assign them to third parties and then manage them from a single control panel.
As the title holder of the customer account, Dominiando will send all communications related to the domain portfolio to you alone.

Most domains are registered for one year and must be renewed each year in order to continue using them.
For some extensions, however, there is a minimum registration period of more than a year, and our order wizard will inform you if the domain you are requesting falls into this category.

In most cases, once registered, the domain is valid for one year.
Since it is registered with the competent Authority, it is not possible to cancel it before its natural expiration date.
The only solution is to simply not renew it.

To renew your domain, all you need to do is send the renewal payment to Dominiando by using one of the methods you will find listed on the payment page.

If you do not renew your domain, Dominiando will not renew it at the competent Authority, which then proceeds with the cancellation procedure, varying depending on the extension (TLD). However, they usually foresee a brief period to allow you to reconsider, during which time only the recipient may renew the domain, and at a cost often higher than the renewal.
Once the cancellation procedures have been interrupted, the domain will be free and registrable also by third parties, according to the Authority's regulations.

Not all domain extensions follow the same renewal procedures, and while some immediately publish the new expiration date, others do so after a few hours or days, some on the same day as the expiration, and others, even later.
In any case, if you look in the customer area, you will see the renewed domain and we will be happy to follow each domain's renewal procedure as foreseen by its registry.

With Dominiando, you can transfer any domain with any extension by using the site's order wizard; during the order or right after receiving it, we will let you know the most appropriate procedure for transferring your domain.
Depending on the extension of the domain you are transferring, and sometimes also on the domain itself, the procedures may vary.

To transfer a domain to another Registrar, you will need to contact the new Registrar so they can tell you the correct procedure to process your request.
If you require data or some actions from our part, you can request it from us by opening a support request directly from your Customer Area.

If the domain has been expired for a few days, it is normally possible, but it may depend on the extension and the procedure of the Registrar in charge of the domain.
In any case, you can make the transfer order on our site, and if it is not possible to transfer it, we will either refund the anticipated amount paid or we will send you alternative solutions when possible.

According to the regulations of most registries in the world, your provider is required to send you the authorization code for all of your domains.
If, however, for any reason they are not cooperative, you can contact the Registrar you are using, and they will give you directions on how to resolve the problem.
If you need our assistance in solving the problem, feel free to contact us by completing a contact form.

With Dominiando, you can immediately associate your domain with all the services you need, unless you have registered a domain for the sole purpose of blocking it (Brand Protection) or for using it in the future.

During the order procedure, you will find the option to purchase the hosting and emails or the redirect service, or even to choose nothing at all and simply purchase the domain, so that when and if necessary, later you can associate other services.

Yes, domain registration is necessary for the services on the domain to be activated.
However, it is not mandatory to register a domain with Dominiando to use Dominiando's Services. So, we can show you how to purchase the services from us and direct the domain to our servers. Or you can manage your domain with Dominiando and direct the services to other Registrars with redirect service.

Domain redirection or domain forwarding is a service that allows you to direct your domain to other resources. For example, if you had the domain pippo.com and wanted to register pippo.it as well, you could direct the new domain to the one already operating, to avoid creating a twin site.
For more details, we suggest you go here.

The Whois Privacy service allows you to obscure domain administrator data from the public whois of international Registries.
Dominiando offers its customers this service. For more details, you can go here.

The local presence service allows you to register domains that have strict residence requirements in the country of the Registry.
Very often some Registries require that the owner, or the administrative contact of the domain, reside in the country of the domain; this makes it so that foreign subjects are ineligible and thus unable to register the domain.
Examples include, Japanese domains .jp, Finnish domains .fi, German domains .de, and many more.
Dominiando has a dense international network of relations with trustees who reside in the countries concerned, and thus act as administrators for the registration of these domains.
For more details, we suggest you go here.

"Premium" domains are very particular, with names that are in great demand, and thus have significant economic value. So, Registries take advantage of the interest they generate and increase their registration price.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a nonprofit intergovernmental organization that deals with defining the words that make up a domain and coordinates the fundamental technical services and functions for the continuation of Internet activity, has approved a domain extension program, which involves the introduction of many new generic domains on the Internet.
These are domains that use generic terms, such as .shoes, .shop, .app, .law, and many more.
Check out the complete list of new generic domains.

The registration of a new domain is not much different than that of a generic or international domain.
However, unlike the latter, they can also be registered during their launch period, so even during specific launch phases that will trigger the release of new generic domains and that precede their general availability.
Check out the launch phase calendar for new generic domain names.

The Sunrise, lasting at least 30 days, is the very first stage of the entire launch period of a new generic domain in which only registered trademark holders, and homonyms of the domain to be registered, in a privileged way and with an additional cost, may register that domain before it is sold to the public.
To take part in the Sunrise, however, it is necessary to have the trademark validated by a third party designated by ICANN: the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH).

ICANN decided to create an instrument to allow registered trademark holders to protect their brands ahead of time. The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) is a central database containing all registered and validated trademarks. The service is managed by Deloitte, as validator, and by IBM, as technical administrator of the database.

To validate a registered trademark at the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH), you must provide proof of use of that trademark, that is, send a statement declaring that the trademark is in use, as well as an example (advertising, a product, a screenshot of the site, etc.) that helps to prove that that trademark is in use.
Only after submitting the proof will you be entitled to take part in all future Sunrises and, above all, receive third party domain name notifications during the Sunrise periods (Claim Service).

At the end of the trademark validation process, the system automatically generates a file named SMD (Signed Mark Data) that is issued, containing the labels associated with the trademark.
It is not possible to participate in the Sunrise phases of all new generic domains without it.

The Claim Service enables anyone who has registered a trademark in the TMCH database to receive notification of a third party domain registration (corresponding to one or more authorized labels) both in Sunrise and in the 90 days from the start of the opening of the domain (Go Live phase).
The service also communicates in real time to those who are requesting the domain that this corresponds to a trademark filed with the Clearinghouse and if the applicant confirms the application, it will inform the trademark holder.

Anyone who does not possess a registered trademark but is still interested in registering a new generic domain ahead of time, may take part in a particular phase called the Landrush period, which follows the Sunrise period but precedes its opening to the public.
The price of this phase is higher than that of the yearly registration, but offers more chance of being assigned requested domains, since this phase takes place before the domain is actually available to the public.

The "Early Access Program" or "EAP" phase only occurs in certain cases and only for some new generic domains, usually excluding the Landrush period.
This phase makes it so that in the first 7 (or more) days of opening, it is possible to register a domain at higher prices, decreasing as the days pass. On the last day, as soon as the EAP phase has ended, the domain enters the Go Live or General Availability phase.

Go Live or General Availability is when the domain actually opens to the public.

Normally, at the end of the Sunrise and Landrush periods, multiple requests for the same name are resolved by an auction between the applicants.
However, some Registries have adopted a different procedure, that of respecting the order of arrival, i.e. using a rule of "first come, first served."

For all new generic domains for which the dates and registration prices have not yet been disclosed or published, Dominiando offers you the opportunity to preregister them!
Preregistration is free, there is no  obligation, and it allows you to keep an eye on the domains you are interested in, however, it will actually be Dominiando that checks on them for you, alerting you by email as soon as the registration times and prices are published.
Only then will you decide whether or not to proceed with the registration. Consult the list of new generic domain names you can preregister.