Domain Names

This section is intended to answer some of the more common questions you may have on domain names. We have also included a link to our domain name checking service so you can see if your preferred name is available.

jensys is able to register and host most domain names for you.

Please note that this section is for guidance only and we recommend you visit Nominet.UK or other relevant Naming Authority for full details of the latest rules and conditions.

If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us. We will do our best to help you.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the 'address' of a web site and each one is unique. Domain names always have 2 or more parts, separated by dots. e.g. yourname.com. When the name is in use it does not have to be prefixed with 'www' although most are configured this way.

The first part of the name is chosen by the registrant of the name, the last part refers to the 'level' of the domain.

The common 'Top Level Domains' (TLD's) are .com, .org and .net although discussions sometimes take place about others which may be made available from time to time.

Second level domains contain a two-letter code specific to a particular country e.g. .uk. Each country may release variations of these to denote a particular type of organisation e.g. .co.uk, .gov.uk

The owner of a domain name may also create a sub-domain to further identify their organisation or make their domain available to others by adding a prefix e.g. yourname.theirname.co.uk

Please note that .uk.com is not a UK domain but a special sub-domain of .com

Why do I need a Domain Name?

Having your own domain name gives you the opportunity to have a unique and memorable address linking your Internet presence to your organisation's name or its purpose / products. Using your organisation's name also presents a more professional image to your clients and customers - we are constantly amazed at how many well-established and well-known organisations seem happy to use a sub-domain such as theirname.service-provider.co.uk for their web site or e-mail address.

What are the syntax rules for a Domain Name?

Domain Names can be made up of almost any sequence of letters and numbers upto 67 characters in length (including the domain type). The only special character allowed is a hyphen (-) and you cannot have any spaces.

One character names are reserved. If you want a two character name it must be made up of one letter and one number as two letter names are reserved for country codes.

You cannot have the same name as a top or second level domain. e.g. gov.co.uk or net.com are not permitted

What domain type should I choose?

When the Internet started, life was rosy and the world was a wonderful place; .com domains would be used for businesses, .org for non-profit organisations and .net for Internet Service Providers. These fine ideals didn't last long and now, with the exception of certain country-specific second-level domains (e.g. to register a .ltd.uk domain you must be registered at Companies House), you can choose almost any type you wish.

Despite this, we would recommend you try and choose a domain type that reflects your organisation so as not to confuse potential visitors, a business using a .org domain might be misleading. Another thing to bear in mind is that some of the search services build regional editions of their databases using country-specific domains so you may have trouble getting listed in a UK search engine if your domain is a .com, similarly you might be relegated to a regional directory if your domain is a .co.uk.

What if my preferred name is a trademark?

We would strongly recommend you seek legal advice before trying to register a trademark or other name that is subject to copyright. Courts tend to assume you are trying to take advantage of the good will and reputation of the legal owner of the disputed term and will usually order you to give up the name.

jensys register all domain names in good faith. We will not get involved in domain name disputes and as soon as we are notified that a domain that is hosted on our server is disputed we will remove it until the matter is settled.

Can I protect my domain name?

The best way to avoid a dispute over a domain name is to choose one which is as close as possible to the name of your company or organisation.

The Nominet UK site has more details about resolving disputes over domain names.

How do I register a domain name?

This is the easy part - check that the name(s) you want are available then just contact us with the details, we will confirm the cost and, if you're happy, do everything else for you.

Please note that although you can register a domain name elsewhere and transfer it to our server, jensys only register domain names that we are also going to host.

If you wish to register a domain name and host it with a different service provider we would recommend you go to their site or one of the many 'shops' that are available though make sure you read the small print first. Some companies, especially those who offer 'free' domains will quite often impose very strict conditions such as registering the domain in their name, requiring you to use their dial-up account to access the Internet, charging a hefty 'administration' fee or requiring a release fee if you want to move to another hosting company later on.

How many domain names can I register?

How many do you need?

jensys will usually register and host upto 25 domains per hosting solution you buy from us. These must usually be configured to send visitors to your web site or to a subsection of your web site although we may, depending on the circumstances, allow you to 'park' a domain with us.

Do I get proof that I own my domain name?

No - because you do not 'own' the domain, you are merely the registered holder. If the registration fees are not paid when they are due, or the registration authority or a Court decide you do not have a valid reason for having the domain or you have contravened the rules, the name can be taken back and made available to others.

When a domain name is registered the registration authority will usually send an e-mail confirming or rejecting the application which we will pass on to you. They will usually also send written confirmation or a certificate direct to you, although you may have to wait 6-8 months.

How long can I hold my domain name?

Provided the name meets the requirements of the registration authority, no-one disputes your claim to it and the registration fees are paid on time, you should be able to hold the domain name indefinitely.

Is my preferred domain name available?

You can check to see if your preferred name is available by using our You can check all .uk or top level domains individually or all at once. The form appears in a new window - just close it when you've finished checking.

If you wish to register a different domain type, please contact us with your requirements.

Please note that even though a domain name is reported as being available, it may have been reserved.

How much will it cost?

The first UK domain you register with us is free and comes with the hosting package we provide.

Charges for additional domains are currently:

UK domains - £10.00 per year

.net, .org, and .com domains: - An annual fee based on the actual cost of registration to us converted to, and rounded up to, the nearest UK pound (£).
e.g. if the registration fee is USD($)30.00 with an exchange rate at the time of registration of 1.35, our fee would be UKP 23.00 per year.

Please contact us for details of registering other domain types.

What is a domain name?	Why do I need a domain name
What are the syntax rules for domain names?	What domain type should I choose?
What if my preferred name is a trademark?	Can I protect my domain name?
How do I register a domain name?	How many domain names can I register?
Do I get proof that I own my domain name?	How long can I hold my domain name?
Is my preferred domain name available?	How much will it cost?