Domain Name Hosting Questions

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a unique alpha-numeric name used to identify a particular computer (i.e. web server or mail server) on the Internet. Domain names allow Internet users to type in a name, such as mybrand.com, to identify a numeric address such as 209.67.50.203. The purpose of domain names is to allow ordinary users connected to the Internet to find web sites and send email to addresses with familiar names such as "mybrand.com" without having to memorize the numerical addresses that actually locate the computers or servers on the Internet.

What is a Top Level Domain (TLD)?

A top level domain (TLD) is the suffix that is attached to the end of a domain name. For instance, in the domain name mybrand.com, ".com" is the TLD. There are two types of top-level domains: global and country code. Global Top Level Domains (gTLD) were created to be used by the Internet public, while country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) were created to be used by each individual country, as they deem necessary. TurnKey Internet can register and valid TLD for your domain name. The most popular global Top Level Domains are as follows: .com .net .org .biz .info .edu .mil .gov

Do I need a domain name? Why should I get a domain name?

You don't necessarily need to have a domain name to design or host your web site with TurnKey Internet. We will host your web site under our web site's domain name if you wish to have that arrangement. However, a domain name is a very simple, easy, and cost-effective way to add identity, recognizability, and a professional image to your business' web site. In addition to being able to find your web site at a shorter, easier-to-remember URL such as http://www.yourdomain.com, all of your e-mail accounts will be "at" your own domain as well. I.e. yourname@business.com, for all your email needs.

How do I get a domain name?

You can order you domain name via TurnKey Internet. We offer instant purchase options to secure your domain name that you wish. You can even search for the domain name you want if you aren't sure yet. You can purchase the domain name separately, or as part of one of our TurnKey Mail or TurnKey Web hosting plans.



TurnKey Internet will take care of all the registration, renewal, and technical aspects of your domain name. All you have to do is choose a domain name which is available, or consult with us for help finding a suitable, available domain name.

What EXACTLY do I get with TurnKey Internet by registering a domain name?

Email Accounts: 10     Email Forwards: 10     Email Disk Storage: 10 MB     POP and IMAP Access: yes     Direct SMTP Access: yes     Web Email Portal: yes     Advanced Spam Filter: yes     Advanced Virus Scan: yes     Block Internet Attacks: yes     Operating System: ALL Setup fee waived! just $9.99 per year! *

Every domain name you register with us, includes our standard TurnKey Mail service with POP, IMAP and WEBMAIL access along with multiple email accounts and email forwarders. You can use the email accounts or forward all email to another provider and/or mailbox. You can manage your domain name (and email accounts) simply by accessing the TurnKey Admin panel. There are no hidden fees to register your domain name with TurnKey Internet. You can upgrade your standard domain name package to a Premium TurnKey Mail account and receive additional email accounts, advanced spam and virus controls, and even create mail-lists for your email accounts.

Who owns the domain names I register through TurnKey Internet??

You will be the owner of the domain name. You will be listed as the Organization Contact, which is the owner of the domain name. When you order you domain name via TurnKey Internet we list your company name, and or personal name as the owner.

How much does a domain name cost?

Registration fees for a domain name are done annually (at the time of registration), typically $9.99 a year per domain name. Please check TurnKey Internet's Domain Name Pricing for the latest pricing. This annual fee for the domain name registration is waived when you purchase any TurnKey Mail or TurnKey Web hosting package. (If you register multiple domain names with TurnKey Internet you pay for each one annually, though the first one is included free in any TurnKey Mail or TurnKey Web hosting package).

Why is this service so inexpensive?

TurnKey Internet is a leading provider of Hosting services. TurnKey Internet provides resale service to many other Service Providers which creates a very large volume from which we are able to use for lower pricing. We have made and fulfilled commitments to the central Domain Registrar authority to provide high volume domain name registrations, and this has provided TurnKey Internet with the means to provide substantial savings to our customers. We pass these savings on to you directly in the form of our low cost registration and hosting services.

Is a domain name all that I need to launch a web site?

No. You need to a TurnKey Web hosting package so that others may view your new domain name via the world wide web. Many clients simply want to reserve domain names for future business ventures - that is why the fee is so low (just $9.99 a year per domain name). If you wish to have web hosting service then you will be paying monthly fees for the web hosting account (and your domain name annual fee will be $0).

Can I register a domain name with TurnKey Internet without having a web site?

Yes, we offer free domain name parking specifically for companies and individuals who don't want a web site at this time. This will reserve your domain name, protecting others from registering it since you will be the owner. You do NOT need to purchase a web or mail hosting package to park your domain name.

What TLD's(Top Level Domain) domain name extensions (.com, .net) can I get with TurnKey Internet?

TurnKey Internet can register and host for you your own domain name with any following TLD/extension. If you don't see the one you want, just contact us. The most popular TLD/extensions are:

Can I transfer my domain name to TurnKey Internet to take advantage of your low cost domain name registration renewal fees and other free services you offer to domain name registrants?

Yes, this is called a "domain name registrar transfer". In order to do this we need to bill you for a one year registration. This allows you to transfer your domain names over to us as the registrar (you remain the owner of the domain name) and adds a 1 year registration extension on to your domain name registration (ie. if you move a domain name over that is 6 months away from renewal, after you pay us the 1 year renewal fee and are transferred to us, you won't have to renew your registration for 1 year and 6 months). Click here to initiate a domain name registrar transfer.

I already have a domain name. Can TurnKey Internet still provide web hosting or e-mail hosting for a this domain name?

Yes, TurnKey Internet can still provide web hosting and email service for any domain name even if you registered it with another Internet Provider. You simply will need to 'point' your domain name at TurnKey Internet's servers or transfer your domain name to TurnKey Internet. Feel free to contact TurnKey Internet if you do not understand the process. Since we pay your domain name annual fee for FREE with any TurnKey Mail or TurnKey Web hosting package - you probably will want to transfer your domain name to TurnKey Internet to save more money.

What is an email alias and how does it work for me?

An email alias is like a forwarding service. You are able to receive email sent to addresses at your domain name and send email from addresses at your domain name using your existing dialup, web-mail or POP mail account. It's a lot easier than it sounds! You simply configure your email settings via the TurnKey Admin panel at https://secure.turnkeyinternet.net/customer/login.php and tell it where to forward all your email. You can even have our mail servers filter your email for spam and viruses before the mail is ever sent to your mail box! We offer a wide range of mail services (mail lists, auto responders, aliases, forwarders, pop mail, IMAP, webmail, encrypted email access for privacy! etc). Full instructions are sent once you sign up for your domain name.

What is a TurnKey Internet POP mail account?

A TurnKey Internet POP mail account is an email box that allows you to receive email sent to your domain name. This is separate from your existing ISP, dialup or web-mail account email. If you wish your domain name email to be delivered to your existing email address or another ISP you can configure that via our admin panel (see next question) as a mail forwarding box. To access your TurnKey Internet POP mail account you would configure your mail software to retrieve mail for username@yourdomain.com via pop.turnkeyinternet.net . Full instructions are sent once you sign up for your domain name.

How do I setup and manage my free TurnKey Internet POP mail account and email aliases?

You can login to your TurnKey Admin panel at https://secure.turnkeyinternet.net/tkadmin and setup your account options, and email settings. You can even upgrade your account for more features such as Mailing Lists, auto responders, and advanced spam and virus control settings for your email boxes.

Can I get sub-domains for my domain name? (i.e. "http://subtopic.myname.com")

Yes, you certainly can. By default (if you registered or transfered your domain name to TurnKey Internet) all your sub-domains are preconfigured to point to your main web site already at no charge! We can even setup separate web account space for different sub domains (separate logins, separate email etc, if you so desire).

Can I get multiple domain names?

Of course! You can register as many domains as you wish (in fact most of our clients register 10 or more to help protect their business identity). You can point as many domain names at your web hosting account at no extra charge (you do have to pay annual domain name registration fees for all domains after the first free one included with your web hosting account). If you need / want to have separate web sites (different content, multiple email domains etc) you will need to purchase additional web hosting or mail hosting accounts. (We do offer modest discounts for quantity over 5, please contact us for more information).

What is a name server?

When using a domain name (for email, web hosting, and just parking a domain) it must reside on a host computer, called a Domain Name Server (DNS). Domain Name Servers are connected to the internet and use special software to translate domain names into the numerical addresses (Internet Protocol numbers) used by the Internet. When internet users enter your domain name into their browser bar, the Domain Name Server directs them to your web site. Without it, your domain name is invisible on the Internet. Normally when you register a domain name with TurnKey Internet, you simply will use the TurnKey Internet name servers:

ns1.turnkeyinternet.net, ns2.turnkeyinternet.net, ns3.turnkeyinternet.net, ns4.turnkeyinternet.net

If you registered your domain through another registrar, you will most likely use their name servers. Dedicated Server and Virtual Server (VPS) hosting accounts can run their own name servers for even more flexibility and ease of use when setting up domain names.

Wherever your domain resides for the name servers, is where you will make the specific dns configuration for your domain to point email and web addresses at for the proper ip address that you will be assigned when ordering email or hosting services from TurnKey Internet.

How do I register my own Name Servers?

Dedicated Server and Virtual Server (VPS) hosting accounts can run their own name servers for even more flexibility and ease of use when setting up domain names. The process of setting up a name server requires that you contact the specific registrar where your purchased your primary domain name from - to 'register your name server'. You will simply contact them with the ip address (or 2) of your name server(s). NOTE: Dedicated Server hosting accounts typically come with multiple ip addresses, so you can simply pick any of the 2 IP's to use. Virtual Server (VPS) hosting accounts typically come with just 1 IP address, so you can either choose to purchase a second IP address from TurnKey Internet, or register just 1 name server (or 2 name servers using the SAME single ip address).

Here is how to setup a name server for a domain name registered through these alternate registrars:

1. Login to your account at http://www.enom.com .
2. Look under Domains then click on Advanced.
3. Click on create name servers.
4. Enter the host name of your first name server in the entry box labeled "Host". The most common names are "ns1" or"dns1". For example, ns1.yournewdomain.com or dns1.yournewdomain.com.
5. Just below, add the IP of the nameserver in the "IP Address" entry boxes. For example, 64.128.117.99.
6. You will need to create at least 2 nameservers. To create a second nameserver, repeat steps 4 to 5. Common practice dictates that the second nameserver will be named "ns2" or "dns2". For example, ns2.yournewdomain.com or dns2.yournewdomain.com.
7. For the ip address of the second name server, use any of your server's ip addresses. If you only have 1 ip address, then use the same ip address as step 5.
8. You have successfully created your own nameservers. Remember that your changes may take up to 72 hours to take effect (propagate).

1. Point your web browser to http://www.godaddy.com/ and login to your account.
2. Log into your account by clicking on the "My Account" link located just below the menubar of the webpage. If you don't have an account yet, you will have to create one.
3. Enter your login name or customer number in the entry box labeled "Login Name or Customer Number".
4. Enter your password in the "Password" entry box located below the "Login Name" entry box.
5. Click on the "LOGIN" button located below the "Password" entry box.
6. select the "Manage Domains" menu item from the "Domain Names" drop down menu located on the left side of the webpage.
7. Below the "Domains Names" menu, select the domain for which you will be creating nameservers. If you do not have any domains, you will have to register one. For example, anydoaminname.com.
8. In the bottom right hand corner of the webpage (you may have to scroll down), expand the "Domain Host Summary" box by clicking on the "+" icon.
9. Click on the "Click here to see details or to modify" link below to begin creating the your nameservers.
10. On the right side of the webpage, enter the host name of your first name server in the entry box labeled "Host". The most common names are "ns1" or "dns1". For example, ns1.yournewdomain.com or dns1.yournewdomain.com. 11. Just below, add the IP of the nameserver in the "IP Address" entry boxes. For example, 64.128.117.99.
12. Now create the nameserver by clicking on "Add New Host".
13. You will need to create at least 2 nameservers. To create a second nameserver, repeat steps 10 to 12. Common practice dictates that the second nameserver will be named "ns2" or "dns2". For example, ns2.yournewdomain.com or dns2.yournewdomain.com.
14. For the ip address of the second name server, use any of your server's ip addresses. If you only have 1 ip address, then use the same ip address as step 11.
15. At this point you could add additional nameservers but it is not required. To save your nameservers, click on "Save Changes".
16. You have successfully created your own nameservers. Remember that your changes may take up to 72 hours to take effect (propagate).