Tansi Graphics & Design: Web Site Design and Print Design

For info contact us at
info@tansigraphics.com

about us
services
web site design
clients
technical info

frequently
asked
questions
- about setting up
a web site!

Frequently Asked Questions

— About Setting Up A Web Site!

General Information / Quick Start

What are the components I need in order to have a web site?
Do I need an email address or ISP to have a Web site?
How do I register a new domain name?
Where do I host my domain?
Where do I go to have a Web site designed and developed?

Domains

What is a domain name?
How do I register a new domain name?
What do I enter as contact information for my domain name?

Hosting a Domain Name

What does it mean to host a domain?
Where do I host my domain?
Can I register a domain without having a hosting provider yet?

Web Site Design and Development

Where do I go to have a Web site designed and developed?

Miscellaneous

What is the domain name system?
What does it mean to register a domain name?
Which top-level domains are available?
What do .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .ws, and .us represent?
What are the rules for registration of .biz, .com, .info, .net, .org, and .ws names?
Who qualifies for a .us domain?
Which extensions are not available, and why?
What can I do if I have misspelled my domain name?
What is the uniform dispute resolution policy?
What if someone has my trademark registered?

General Information / Quick Start

What are the components I need in order to have a web site?

You'll need a domain name, a domain host, and a finished Web site consisting of the files for text (HTML) and art (usually GIF or JPG).

Do I need an email address or ISP to have a Web site?

No, an ISP (Internet Service Provider) provides a connection between your computer and the Internet. You don't need this connection to have a Web site, but you do need it if you want to view Web sites or check Email.

ISPs generally come with an Email address, i.e. yourname@isp.com. Having a Web site will not interfere with this Email address. They are unconnected unless you expect to receive Email through your Web site. Your Web site host may provide you with additional Email addresses that can be accessed through your ISP.

ISPs do frequently provide domain (Web site) hosting. Compare rates and services before deciding.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a Web address. The domain name is mapped to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). Thus a domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page will open. For example, the domain name www.yourdomain.com locates an Internet address for "yourdomain.com."

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. The "com" part of the domain name generally reflects the type or purpose of the organization or entity and is called the top-level domain (TLD) name. The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (" . ") — "yourdomain" in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name — being the "readable" part of the address — refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address.

Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers- (ICANN-)accredited registrar.

How do I register a new domain name?

Domain names can be registered for 1-10 years. When you sign up for a domain, you do not own that domain outright. You are in essence renting the use of the domain name for a certain period of time.

There are many companies authorized to register a domain name for you. The two most well known registrars are Network Solutions and Register.com. These are also the most expensive. Search for registrars offering lower priced domain registration, and reviews of these companies, before making your decision. Tansi Graphics has had experience with a variety of registrars and would be happy to make a recommendation.

Once you have decided on a registrar, you will need to check for the domain's availability. Aim for names that are unique or uncommon, as these more likely will still be available.

When registering your domain you will be asked to enter your contact information. This information is used for administrative purposes and must be kept current. You can have up to four different contacts for your domain name:

Registrant — The person that registers a domain name.
Administrative — The person responsible for any administrative issues pertaining to the account. Any administrative changes to the domain must be approved by the administrative contact. The registrar will use this contact for any non-technical questions regarding the domain name.
Billing — The person responsible for all billing information relating to the domain name. The billing contact will also receive invoices, charges and billing questions.
Technical — The person responsible for providing technical data, including name-server information. The registrar will contact this person with any questions of a technical nature.

What do I enter as the contact information for my domain name?

Enter your name, address, phone number, email address, company affiliation, etc. Be sure to include accurate and updated information. The registrar relies on this contact information if it needs to reach you with issues concerning your domain name.

You must complete the Registrant part of the contact information form. If you wish to, you can elect to apply the registrant information to the technical, administrative and billing contacts as well.

Hosting a Domain

What does it mean to host a domain?

Hosting (also known as Web site hosting and Web hosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more Web sites.

Where do I host my domain?

There are a variety of companies that host Web sites. Search for "web site hosting" on the internet to find rates and reviews.

Some things to compare before deciding: rates, file size, file transfers, email addresses and supported technologies. Many companies tack on additional charges for larger Web sites, frequent file updates (editing), and email addresses. Also make sure that your host supports the technology that your site may use. These would include ASP, CFM, Front Page, database, etc. Many companies will charge for using these technologies as well. If you expect to add Ecommerce to your site, check the availability through your host as well as the cost.

Tansi Graphics offers affordable, dependable domain hosting with unlimited Email addresses, and technologies at no additional cost.

Can I purchase a domain without having a hosting provider yet?

You can register as many domains names as you'd like and choose to have them "parked" (un-hosted) until you have found a hosting provider. Your Web site will automatically be parked if no host is indicated. If this option is chosen, a temporary Web page will be displayed while you finish creating your site, host the domain, etc. The temporary site will usually inform anyone passing by that this is the future location of your site.

Web site design and development

Where do I go to have a Web site designed and developed?

Web site design and development is available from around the globe. In general, it is better to avoid companies that are located outside the US as these are not guided by US law. It can be difficult to determine where a company is located. If that's the case, look elsewhere.

Ask friends and associates with Web sites about their experience. Check local listings in the phone book, or membership rosters in familiar business directories - Chambers of Commerce, BBB, etc. Most important, find a company that you feel comfortable with and that offers all the services you are looking for. When meeting for the first time, don't forget to ask for rate information, payment terms, and to communicate expectations - yours and the company's.

Miscellaneous

What is the domain name system (DNS)?

The domain name system (DNS) enables each machine connected on the Internet to be recognized by a domain name. Every computer on the Internet has a unique IP (Internet protocol) address which consists of a string of numbers. Since the IP addresses can be difficult to remember, the DNS allows a familiar string of letters (the "domain name") to be used instead of the IP address. So instead of typing the IP address' arcane string of numbers you can type "www.yourdomain.com", for example.

What does it mean to register a domain name?

The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the computer on the Internet you designate (your host) during the period the registration is in effect.

Which domain extensions (top-level domains) are available?

The following top-level domains are available:

.com
.net
.org
.biz
.info
.ws
.us

What do .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .ws, and .us represent?

.com — ("commercial") The most common extension for domain names. Often represents companies or for-profit organizations. Most personal Web sites also use this extension.
.net — Generally represents Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
.org — Usually represents non-profit organizations or groups.
.biz — ("business") Reserved for use by businesses.
.info — Made for both businesses and individuals. Usage is unrestricted, but a .info TLD indicates that the Web site primarily is informative.
.ws — (Web site) An all-around, universally available top-level domain.
.us — Country-code top-level domain available for registrants in the United States.

What are the rules for registration of .biz, .com, .info, .net, .org, and .ws names?

The .com, .info, .net, .org, and .ws TLDs are globally available and unrestricted. Traditionally, however, names in .net have been used by organizations involved in Internet infrastructure activities — typically ISPs (Internet Service Providers) — while .org is frequently used by noncommercial organizations. .biz is available to businesses only. Albeit unrestricted, usage of the .info TLD implies that the site content is of a primarily informative nature.

Who qualifies for a .us domain?

To qualify for a .us domain name you must meet one of the following Nexus Requirements. The U.S. Nexus Requirement is intended to ensure that only those individuals or organizations that have a substantive connection to the United States are permitted to register for .us domain names.

To be in compliance with the U.S. Nexus Requirement, all registrants for the .us domain must be either:

A natural person (i) who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories, or (ii) whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions,

An entity or organization that is (i) incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories or (ii) organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or any of its possessions or territories,

An entity or organization (including a federal, state, or local government of the United States, or a political subdivision thereof) that has a bona fide presence in the United States.

Which extensions are not available, and why?

The sponsored top-level domains .aero, .coop, .museum, and .pro. require the registrant to be member of or affiliated with specific communities, and are therefore not accessible to the general public. The .aero TLD, for example, requires the registrant to prove membership of the aviation community. Similarly, .gov and .mil are reserved for the U.S. Government, and U.S. Military, respectively, while .edu is restricted to educational entities.

Country-code TLDs outside the United States are also excluded.

What can I do if I have misspelled my domain name?

Your domain-name registration is submitted as soon as you complete the registration process. The registrar is required to pay the registration fee at that time. Therefore, your domain name cannot be changed after you complete the registration.

You will have to register the correct spelling if you want that domain name. Most registrars cannot offer any refunds for misspelled domain names.

What is the uniform dispute resolution policy?

ICANN's Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) defines how disputes over domain-name registrations are resolved in the global top-level domains (.biz, .com, .info, .name, .name, .net, .org, .pro, and .ws, as well as .aero, .coop, and .museum). In accordance with the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, you can dispute a claim to a domain name by following the dispute process. The UDRP does not apply to country-code top-level domains, except in a few cases where the local administrator has decided to adopt it.

What if someone has my trademark registered?

If you can prove that the trademark in question is yours, you may be able to bring a dispute against the registrant.

. . . .