Guide to domain names

What's in a name?

Your domain name is important because it's the address for your website and emails.

Even if you're not ready to get a website at the moment, you should register your domain name before a competitor does. It shouldn't happen but it does.

Once you've registered your name you can start using it for emails even if you haven't got a website. Each domain can have up to 100 email addresses, e.g. sales@yourdomain.com, accounts@yourdomain.com etc. We provide this service as part of the registration package.

The name I want has gone

We can come up with a list of alternatives. If you think that someone has your name and they shouldn't, there are procedures in place that may help but they are costly and time-consuming. Be sure to register an alternative in the meantime before that has gone too.

You may even want more than one name. For instance, we are called Vantech Media so we have vantechmedia.co.uk, but because that's a bit of a mouthful, we use vantech.co.uk as our main identity. Both domains point to the same website and emails can be addressed to either. By having the longer version as well, we catch people who type in the full company name.

Which is best, dot com, dot eu or dot co dot uk?

Technically speaking there is no advantage or disadvantage with either, it depends on your image, what looks or sounds best and what's available. Pricewise, .co.uk names work out cheaper.

Are there others?

Yes, for most businesses .com or .co.uk are a good choice because of their familiarity but we can register the following names: co.uk, ac.uk, gov.uk, org.uk, ltd.uk, plc.uk, me.uk, com, net, info, net, biz, org.

For names ending in .plc.uk and .ltd.uk special conditions apply, contact us for details. For names ending in .ac.uk and .gov.uk please see our JANET page.

What do I need to do?

The best thing is to contact us for advice. We can register a name for you immediately, without prepayment. When you register a name we'll need your contact details. You should be aware that you're entering into a contract between yourself and the naming authority.

Prices

See our current price list. We charge reasonable rates for registration.

Let's be careful out there

There are companies who charge five times the amount that we do (no need to yell about who they are) and some who can do it cheaper. Naturally, we want you to register with us.

Do be warned that some of the cheaper companies have a clause that prevents you from moving your domain in the future without paying a hefty "admin" fee. You may be stuck with them and later find that their hosting charges are excessive, or perhaps they don't offer the services that you need.

Sub domains

A sub domain is useful if your company's activities are broad and you need separate web addresses for each department. An example of a sub domain at vantech.co.uk is webmail.vantech.co.uk. Once you have a domain, sub domains can be created without further registration fees, although any website on them would attract a separate hosting fee.

Exclusive to Vantech Media - Norfolk town domains

If your business is centered around a particular Norfolk town, or as an alternative to a full domain name, we offer free* registration of many Norfolk town domains.

The format is as follows: yourname.yourtown.net (or similar). Your email address would be: yourname@yourtown.net. An example is dt.fakenham.net with the email address dt@fakenham.net.

*Free provided you host with us

The following towns are available:

Attleborough, Aylsham, Cromer, Dereham, Fakenham, North Walsham, Sheringham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton, Wymondham.