When you register a domain name for your Web site, your registrar is required to submit a listing to their WHOIS database, an online directory that includes important information about domain ownership. While millions of people have registered a domain name, surprisingly few know what their WHOIS database listing reveals about their domain - and their business. Yet when it comes to the WHOIS database, what you don't know can hurt you.
After all, over 30 million people do a WHOIS domain search each month. With so much riding on your online business, it's smart to know what information is publicly available through a simple domain search. A standard WHOIS database listing can typically answer six questions:
#1: Who registered the domain name?
When you buy a domain name for your Web site, your name and address will appear in the WHOIS database as the domain name registrant. As a business owner, it is important that you own your domain name. If, instead, you work with a free web hosting provider who provides your domain name, control of your online business is not truly in your hands.
#2: When was the domain name registration?
The registration date will always refer to the date the domain name was first created - even if that domain was previously owned by someone else. Your domain name's "birthdate" can even impact your search engine optimization (SEO) success, as the major search engines tend to view older domain names more favorably.
#3: When will the domain name expire?
A number of people use the WHOIS database to check domain names for expiration dates. If someone wants to buy your domain name, they may search the WHOIS database, retrieve the expiration date and wait for the day to come - hoping that you will forget to renew your registration. Choosing auto-renewal can help you protect your domain name from an unwanted transfer of ownership that could result from a forgotten expiration date. Also, search engines may view longer registration terms as a sign of stability.
#4: Who is the domain name's administrative contact?
If you buy your domain name, you can expect your name (along with address, phone and fax numbers) to appear as the administrative contact. Private domain registration is the solution for those who wish to keep their personal information out of the WHOIS database. For a small monthly fee, your registrar will replace your personal contact information with its own.
#5: Who resolves the domain name's technical issues?
If you feel capable of handling your Web site's technical issues, you may be listed as the technical contact. However, most domain name registrants feel more comfortable referring technical issues to their web hosting company.
#6: What are your Web site's domain name servers?
All domain names point to nameservers, which are the location for the files that comprise your Web site. Your registrar must submit two nameservers to the WHOIS database. Search engines may use nameserver information to determine whether your inbound links are coming from Web sites on the same nameserver, which could hinder your SEO progress. It's important to know what a WHOIS domain search reveals about you and your web address. With this information in mind, you can take steps to secure your online business.
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