What is a Domain Name?

Domain names are the ubiquitous names like blue-sierra.com or unicef.org that we see more and more of each day. It is a unique name that enables web browsers to locate your web site on the Internet. Without a domain name, one would have to use numeric IP addresses to locate a web site.

The reason for using a domain name instead of the IP address is that it is easier to remember a name than a string of numbers. For example, instead of having to remember the IP address 208.56.239.60 to locate our web site, you only have to key in www.blue-sierra.com to locate our web site.

Why are there so many kinds of domain names suffixes?

Different domain name suffixes denote the type of registrant and function. The table below shows the different types of domain name suffixes, among others.

Why would I need one?

Because you probably value prestige, identity, and recognition. These are the main reasons why you should get your own domain name.

Prestige - Having your own domain name projects professionalism. A domain name is necessary for use with your own web site or simply for use on your personalized e-mail addresses. Imagine if your company's sales department has the e-mail address sales@mycompany.com. It certainly is much more prestigious than mycompany-sales@hotmail.com; an e-mail address that sends your customers and associates the signal that you might not be as professional as you wanted to project.

Identity - Your domain name is unique in the world. This secures your uniqueness in the online world which is becoming more and more an integral part of our real world. Once somebody gets hold of your domain name, it may be next to impossible to wrest it from their hold. Look what happened to nissan.com and pldt.com.

Recognition - Your domain name is also your trademark. As such, a properly marketed domain name may be recognized the world over and carries substantial goodwill. I am sure that you have heard of Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com and immediately know what they are.

How much does it cost?

Top-level domain names usually cost USD 35 per year when registered with InterNIC. But our Sierra Domains pricing brings the annual registration fee per domain down to US$ 20 or PhP1,100.

How do I know if a domain name is still available for registration?

To check domain names for availability, you will need to consult a Whois server. Type in the domain name that you are looking for and it shall tell you if it is still available or not.

Do you also register .ph domains?

Yes, we do. The rate is USD 70 for two years.

What do I need to use the E-mail Forwarding feature?

All you need is a domain name registered with us, a working e-mail address (from e-mail services like Hotmail or Yahoo, but preferably your ISP-provided e-mailbox) and a working Internet connection.

I am currently using E-mail Forwarding and is considering changing my ISP soon, what do I have to do to ensure that none of my e-mail gets lost?

Here's how to do it to ensure none of your e-mails are lost when changing ISPs and using e-mail forwarding.

1. Sign up with your new ISP and have them set up your new e-mail box for forwarding.
2. Inform us by e-mail of your new forwarding e-mail address.
3. We replace the pointer for e-mail forwarding to the new address and send you a notification.
4. Try sending your e-mail address a test message. If you can retrieve it on the new ISP's e-mailbox, then it is done.
5. You start checking e-mail from your new mailbox from this point on.

I am planning to put up a web site for my business. How can I use the URL Forwarding to help me save on hosting costs?

If your web site needs only minimal hosting requirements, then you could get by using free web hosts like Tripod, Hypermart, or Angelfire.

You can then use the URL Forwarding feature to point your domain name to the web site hosted by any of the above hosts. This allows you to use your www.mysite.com to forward the browser to your web site as hosted by the free hosts and bypass using their long and unwieldy URLs like www.tripod.com/~mysite.

URL forwarding is transparent to the browser. This way, you save on the monthly service fees charged by commercial web hosting services.

However, if you should find that the pop-up banners or the limited features associated with free hosts are not for you, do check out our low-cost Sierra Hosting for professional web hosting service.

What happens when my domain name is about to expire?

About thirty days before the expiration date, we shall send you an
e-mail reminding you to renew your account. If you wish to renew your account, please send us a confirmation e-mail and your payment.

If I fail to renew my domain name, what happens to it?

It will be released to the public domain and you will lose ownership of your domain name. It is very difficult (and usually very expensive) to wrest a lost domain name registered by somebody else.