What is a domain name and why should I register one?

A domain name is first part of the address after www. that you enter into a web browser (e.g. mydomain.com) to find a web page on the internet. It is also the last part after the @ sign in an email address.

Domain names are useful for business and personal use, for having your own website, online shop and email address.

What can I do with a domain name?

There is a lot you can do with a domain name, but first you need to add some services to it. For example if you want to build a website for your business or just for fun, you will need a Web Hosting package to get the website online.

If I register a domain name is it mine for life?

When you register a domain name it is usually registered for an initial period of either 1 or 2 years. At Fondue we operate an auto renewal policy designed to ensure continuity of service, which means that at the end of the initial registration period we will notify you with details of your auto renewal for a further registration period.

Can I use my domain name immediately?

Once you have chosen and registered your domain name it usually takes up to 12-36 hours for all the DNS servers across the internet to see your domain. This means that while you might be able to access your domain, your next door neighbour might not if he is using a different DNS server.