Domain Name FAQs

A domain name is your unique address on the internet — it is what people type in their browser to find your website (e.g., yourname.com). Think of it as your digital storefront. Every website needs a domain name to be found online. It builds brand credibility, makes your business look professional, and gives you control over your online presence. Without a domain, you would have to share a long, hard-to-remember IP address.

Registering a domain with UMVA is simple. First, use our domain search tool to check if your desired domain is available. If available, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout. Choose your registration period (1-10 years), add free WHOIS privacy protection, and complete payment. Your domain will be activated within minutes. You can then manage DNS, set up email, or connect it to our hosting services directly from your dashboard.

Domain prices vary by extension (TLD) and can range from as low as $1.00 for introductory TLDs like .xyz to premium domains that may cost several hundred dollars. Popular TLDs like .com are priced competitively at just $11.75/year. Country TLDs like .rw start at $14.00/year. Each domain registration includes free WHOIS privacy protection, a free SSL certificate, full DNS management, and domain protection — services that other registrars often charge extra for. Visit our Domain Pricing page for a complete list of all 800+ TLDs and their registration, renewal, and transfer fees.

The best TLD depends on your purpose. For businesses and professionals, .com is the most recognized and recommended. For non-profits, .org is the classic choice. For tech companies and startups, .io, .dev, and .app are popular. For local businesses targeting a specific country, ccTLDs like .us, .co.uk, .ca, or .rw are ideal for building local trust. For creative projects, newer TLDs like .design, .art, .photography, and .store offer unique branding opportunities. We offer 800+ TLDs to choose from.

New domain registrations typically become active within a few minutes to 24 hours. Most domains resolve within 5-30 minutes after registration. The propagation time depends on the TLD registry and your DNS configuration. If you point your domain to our hosting services, your site can be live almost instantly after registration.

If your desired domain is already registered, try alternative TLDs such as .net, .org, .co, .io, or a country-specific extension. You can also try adding prefixes or suffixes like "get", "my", "the", or "hub" to your name. If the domain is for sale via a marketplace, you may contact the current owner. Use our domain search tool to check availability across hundreds of TLDs and find a great alternative.

Premium domains are domains that have been individually priced higher than standard registration fees by the registry. They are typically short, memorable, keyword-rich, or contain highly desirable words. Premium domain prices are set by the TLD registry, not by UMVA. When you search for a domain, premium domains will be clearly marked with their premium price. You can register them at that price for the initial term, but the premium pricing applies to renewals too, so review carefully before purchasing.

Yes, you can transfer your domain to a different registrar at any time, subject to a few rules. ICANN policy requires a 60-day lock on new registrations and transfers before you can transfer again. After this period, you can initiate a transfer by unlocking the domain at UMVA, obtaining the EPP code, and starting the transfer at your new registrar. We recommend staying with UMVA to maintain seamless integration with our hosting, DNS, email, and security services.

Domain privacy protection (also called WHOIS privacy) hides your personal contact information — name, address, phone number, and email — from the public WHOIS database. Instead, proxy information is displayed, protecting you from spam, identity theft, and unwanted solicitations. At UMVA, WHOIS privacy protection is completely free on all eligible TLDs with every domain registration, unlike many registrars that charge $5-$10/year for this service.

A domain name alone does not host a website — it is just your address. To build a website, you need web hosting (storage space for your site files) plus a domain name. UMVA offers shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated server plans that work seamlessly with your domain. That said, you can register a domain with us now and point it to any hosting provider later. Many people register domains first to secure their brand name while they build their site.

You can renew your domain from your UMVA dashboard under the Domains section. Select the domain you want to renew, choose the renewal period (1-10 years), and complete payment. We send email reminders 30, 14, 7, and 3 days before expiry to ensure you never miss a renewal. For maximum convenience, enable auto-renewal so your domain renews automatically on the expiration date.

Auto-renewal can be enabled from your domain management dashboard. Navigate to your domain list, click on the domain you want to manage, and toggle the auto-renewal option on. You will need to have a valid payment method saved in your account. We will attempt to renew the domain automatically on or before the expiration date. You will receive a confirmation email after each successful auto-renewal.

You can manage DNS records directly from your UMVA dashboard under the DNS Management section for each domain. We provide a full DNS management interface where you can add, edit, or delete A (IPv4), AAAA (IPv6), CNAME (aliases), MX (mail servers), TXT (verification), NS (nameservers), and SRV (service) records. Changes typically propagate within a few minutes to a few hours depending on TTL settings. You can also use our Cloudflare integration for enhanced DNS performance and DDoS protection.

Nameservers are the internet's address books — they tell browsers where to find your website. To change nameservers, log into your UMVA dashboard, go to the domain you want to manage, and enter the nameserver addresses provided by your hosting company. Changes typically take 24-48 hours to propagate globally. If you are hosting with UMVA, you can simply use our default nameservers and manage everything from one place.

Domain forwarding (also called URL redirect) lets you redirect visitors from one domain to another. For example, you can forward myolddomain.com to mynewdomain.com. From your UMVA dashboard, select the domain, go to the Forwarding section, enter the destination URL, and choose between permanent (301) or temporary (302) redirects. You can also set up masked forwarding, where the original domain stays in the browser address bar while showing content from the destination.

Subdomains are extensions of your main domain, like blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com. To create a subdomain, go to your domain's DNS settings in the UMVA dashboard and add an A or CNAME record for the subdomain prefix pointing to your server's IP address or hostname. If you are using UMVA hosting, you can create subdomains directly from your cPanel or hosting dashboard, which automatically sets up the necessary DNS records.

Yes! You can register, transfer, or renew multiple domains in bulk through your UMVA account. Simply search for each domain and add them to your cart, then proceed to a single checkout. You can manage all your domains from a single dashboard, apply DNS settings in bulk, and organize them with custom folders and tags for easy management. This is especially useful for businesses managing multiple brand domains or protecting various TLD variations of their brand name.

Domain locking (also called registrar lock) prevents unauthorized transfers of your domain. When enabled, the domain cannot be transferred to another registrar without first being unlocked. This is a critical security feature that protects your domain from hijacking. Domain lock is enabled by default on all new registrations at UMVA. You can verify or toggle this setting from your domain management dashboard. Always keep domain lock enabled unless you are actively transferring your domain.

Transferring your domain to UMVA is straightforward. First, unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain the EPP (authorization) code. Then, initiate the transfer from your UMVA dashboard by entering your domain name and the EPP code. Complete payment for the transfer, which includes a free 1-year renewal. The transfer process typically takes 5-7 days. We send you email notifications at each step, and your DNS settings are imported automatically to ensure zero downtime.

An EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) code, also called an authorization code or auth code, is a unique security key assigned to your domain by your current registrar. It serves as a password to authorize the transfer of your domain to another registrar. You can obtain the EPP code from your current registrar's dashboard or by contacting their support. The code is case-sensitive, so copy it exactly as provided. EPP codes are typically valid for a limited time, so initiate the transfer promptly after obtaining it.

Yes, domain transfers require a transfer fee which varies by TLD. The good news is that the transfer fee includes a free 1-year renewal of your domain, so you are essentially getting an extra year for the transfer price. For popular TLDs like .com, transfers are priced at just $11.75. Country TLDs like .rw have transfer fees starting at $14.00. Check our Domain Pricing page for specific transfer fees by TLD. There are no hidden fees or extra charges.

Most domain transfers complete within 5-7 days. The process involves several steps: you initiate the transfer, the current registrar receives a transfer request and sends you a confirmation email (you may need to approve it), the registry processes the transfer, and finally the transfer completes. Some TLDs transfer faster than others — .com transfers often complete in under 5 days. During the transfer, your website and email continue working normally with no downtime.

Yes, your domain must be unlocked at your current registrar before a transfer can proceed. Domain lock (registrar lock) is a security feature that prevents unauthorized transfers. Log into your current registrar's dashboard, find the domain lock setting, and disable it. After the transfer completes, domain lock will be automatically enabled on your domain at UMVA. Do not forget to also ensure that your email address on file with your current registrar is up to date, as transfer confirmation emails are sent there.

Yes, you can transfer your domain to another registrar at any time. First, ensure your domain has been registered for at least 60 days (ICANN requirement). Disable domain lock from your UMVA dashboard, request your EPP code, and initiate the transfer at your new registrar. We recommend keeping your DNS settings intact until the transfer fully completes to avoid website downtime. Note that transferring away will not result in a refund for the remaining registration period, but the receiving registrar must add one year to your expiration date.

Your website and email services continue to work normally during the entire transfer process. DNS settings are copied automatically or can be pre-configured at the new registrar before the transfer completes. There is no downtime associated with the transfer itself. To ensure a smooth experience, keep your current DNS records intact until the transfer fully completes and the new nameservers are active.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has a transfer policy that includes a 60-day lock period. This means that after a new domain registration or a transfer, the domain cannot be transferred to another registrar for 60 days. This policy exists to prevent domain hijacking and unauthorized transfers. The lock is automatically lifted after 60 days. Some exceptions apply for mergers, acquisitions, or trademark disputes.

Many TLDs offer discounted introductory pricing for the first year of registration to attract new customers. The renewal price reflects the standard annual rate set by the registry. For example, .com has an introductory price as low as $11.75 and renews at the same competitive rate. Some TLDs like .xyz may have a very low first-year promotional price but standard renewal pricing thereafter. All renewal prices are displayed clearly on our Domain Pricing page and at checkout before you complete your purchase.

When a domain expires, it enters a grace period that typically lasts 30-40 days, depending on the TLD. During this period, you can renew your domain at the standard renewal rate with no additional fees. Your website and email may stop working during this period, but the domain is still yours. We send multiple email reminders before and after expiry to help you avoid losing your domain. You can renew at any time during the grace period from your UMVA dashboard.

If a domain is not renewed during the grace period, it enters the redemption period, which typically lasts about 30 days. During this period, the domain can still be recovered, but it requires paying a redemption fee in addition to the renewal cost. The redemption fee covers the registry's cost to restore the domain. This fee is typically higher than a standard renewal and varies by TLD. After the redemption period ends, the domain is released and becomes available for anyone to register.

After both the grace period and redemption period pass, the domain is released by the registry and becomes available for public registration on a first-come, first-served basis. This is commonly called "dropping." Once dropped, anyone can register your domain, including competitors or domain investors. There is no guarantee you can get it back. This is why we strongly recommend enabling auto-renewal and keeping your contact information and payment methods up to date.

No, not immediately. ICANN rules give registrants a grace period (typically 30-40 days) and a redemption period (another 30 days) before a domain is released to the public. In total, you have about 60-70 days after expiry to recover your domain. However, the exact timeline varies by TLD — some country-code TLDs have shorter or no grace periods. Do not wait until the last minute. Renew as soon as possible after receiving an expiry notice.

If your auto-renewal payment fails (e.g., expired credit card, insufficient funds), we will send you an email notification with instructions to update your payment method and manually renew. We make several retry attempts over the following days. To avoid any lapse, keep your payment method information current in your UMVA account. You can also manually renew at any time from your dashboard, even if auto-renewal is enabled. We recommend adding a backup payment method if your account supports it.

Yes, you can renew most domains for up to 10 years at a time, depending on the TLD. Some TLDs have maximum registration limits (e.g., certain country TLDs may allow a maximum of 5 or 10 years). The maximum total registration period including the initial term is typically 10 years for most gTLDs. Renewing for multiple years locks in the current renewal rate and ensures you do not have to worry about expiration for years to come.

WHOIS is a public directory that stores information about domain registrants, including the owner's name, organization, address, phone number, and email. Anyone can perform a WHOIS lookup to find out who owns a domain. ICANN requires this information to be accurate and accessible. However, with UMVA's free WHOIS privacy protection, your personal details are shielded and proxy information is shown instead. You can perform WHOIS lookups for any domain directly from our website.

Yes, absolutely free — with no hidden charges or trial periods. Unlike many registrars that charge $5-$15/year per domain for WHOIS privacy, UMVA includes it at no cost on every eligible domain registration, transfer, and renewal. This saves you money while keeping your personal information safe from data harvesters, spammers, and identity thieves. Privacy protection applies automatically to all eligible TLDs. A few TLDs (like .us, .ca, and some European ccTLDs) do not allow privacy by registry policy.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) significantly changed how WHOIS data is handled for EU citizens and domains under European registry management. Under GDPR, registrars cannot publicly display personal data without explicit consent. Most registries now apply a "thin" WHOIS model, showing only technical information like nameservers and status codes, while redacting registrant details. At UMVA, we fully comply with GDPR and all applicable privacy regulations. Your data is stored securely and used only for mandatory purposes like transfer verification and legal compliance.

Yes, ICANN requires registrars to verify the email address of the registrant contact for new domain registrations and certain changes. After registering a domain, you will receive a verification email from us. You must click the verification link within 15 days, or the domain may be suspended. This is a mandatory ICANN requirement for all registrars globally. The process is quick and only needs to be done once per registrant email address. Your domain will not resolve if verification is not completed.

ICANN regulations require accurate and complete registrant information for every domain registration. Providing false or incomplete information is a violation of ICANN policy and can lead to domain suspension, cancellation, or loss. Accurate information is also critical for transfer verification, legal ownership disputes, and receiving important domain-related notifications. With UMVA's free WHOIS privacy protection, your real information is kept private and secure with us while proxy details are shown publicly.

You can update registrant contact information from your UMVA dashboard under the domain management section. Select the domain, go to Contact Information, and make your changes. For some TLDs, changing the registrant (owner) name or organization may trigger a registrant change process that requires confirmation from both the old and new registrant via email. This is an ICANN security measure to prevent unauthorized ownership changes. The process typically completes within a few hours after both parties confirm.

Without WHOIS privacy protection, the public WHOIS database displays your full name, organization (if applicable), mailing address, phone number, and email address. This information is accessible to anyone performing a WHOIS lookup and is frequently harvested by spammers, telemarketers, and scammers. At UMVA, WHOIS privacy is enabled by default free of charge, so this is rarely a concern for our customers. We recommend keeping privacy enabled on all eligible domains at all times.

Domain lock (registrar lock) is a security feature that prevents unauthorized domain transfers. When domain lock is enabled, the registry will reject any transfer request for your domain, even if someone obtains your EPP code. This is your first line of defense against domain hijacking. Domain lock is enabled by default on all domains at UMVA. You can verify the status from your dashboard — look for "Registrar Lock: Enabled" in your domain details. Only disable it when you are intentionally transferring your domain to another registrar.

Yes, UMVA supports two-factor authentication for your account. Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security beyond your password. When logging in, you will be prompted to enter a one-time code generated by an authenticator app like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator. You can enable 2FA from your account security settings. We strongly recommend all domain owners enable 2FA to prevent unauthorized account access and protect their valuable domain portfolio.

To protect your domain from hijacking: (1) Enable domain lock on all your domains — this is the most effective measure. (2) Enable two-factor authentication on your UMVA account. (3) Use a strong, unique password for your account. (4) Keep your registrant contact email account secure, as domain transfer confirmations are sent there. (5) Never share your EPP code with anyone you do not trust. (6) Regularly review your domain list for any unauthorized changes. (7) Consider using a dedicated email address for your domain management that also has 2FA enabled.

Yes! Every domain registered at UMVA includes a free SSL certificate via Let's Encrypt, which encrypts traffic between your website and visitors. This is essential for security, SEO rankings, and building visitor trust — browsers mark sites without SSL as "Not Secure." If you host with us, SSL is automatically installed and renewed. For advanced needs, we also offer premium SSL certificates including Wildcard SSL (secures unlimited subdomains), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates.

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records, protecting visitors from being redirected to fake websites through DNS spoofing or cache poisoning attacks. When enabled, the DNS responses for your domain are digitally signed, and the resolver can verify their authenticity. We recommend enabling DNSSEC for any domain where security is a priority, especially e-commerce sites, banking, and business websites. You can enable DNSSEC from your domain management dashboard in the security settings section.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) are email authentication protocols that prevent spammers from sending emails that appear to come from your domain. SPF specifies which servers are authorized to send email for your domain. DKIM adds a digital signature to outgoing emails. DMARC tells receiving servers what to do with unauthenticated emails (quarantine or reject). Without these, your domain is vulnerable to email spoofing, which damages your brand reputation and email deliverability. You can set them up as TXT records in your DNS management dashboard.

Each TLD is operated by a registry that sets its own wholesale pricing. Premium TLDs like .io, .ai, and .app cost more because the registry charges registrars higher fees. Country-code TLDs like .rw, .co.uk, and .de also have registry-specific pricing. Generic TLDs like .com and .net benefit from economies of scale and competitive registry pricing, making them more affordable. We pass these wholesale costs through transparently — there are no hidden markups. All prices are listed clearly on our Domain Pricing page.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Verve debit/credit cards. We also accept cryptocurrency payments including USDT (TRC20, BEP20, ERC20), USDC, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), Litecoin (LTC), TRON (TRX), and Solana (SOL). For high-value transactions and bulk purchases, bank transfers are also available. All major payment methods are supported to make domain registration accessible worldwide.

We regularly offer promotional pricing on domain registrations, especially on popular TLDs. Check our Domain Pricing page for current deals and promotions. We also run seasonal sales and special offers for new customers. The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media. For the best value, consider multi-year registrations and our hosting bundles, which bundle domains with hosting at discounted rates.

Domain registrations are generally non-refundable once processed, as the registration fee is paid to the TLD registry immediately upon registration and cannot be recovered. However, ICANN provides a 5-day grace period (the "Add Grace Period") during which some TLDs allow domain deletion with a partial refund, minus a small processing fee. This does not apply to all TLDs, and premium domains are typically excluded. We recommend carefully reviewing your domain choice before completing registration. Contact our support team if you have questions about a specific situation.

Transfer prices are set independently by each TLD registry and may differ from both new registration and renewal prices. For many TLDs, the transfer price is similar to the renewal price because transfers include a 1-year renewal. Some registries offer promotional transfer pricing to encourage domain migration. At UMVA, we are transparent about all three price points — registration, renewal, and transfer — for every TLD on our Domain Pricing page, so you always know the full cost before proceeding.

No hidden fees, ever. The price you see at checkout is the total price. Unlike some registrars that charge extra for WHOIS privacy, DNS management, domain locking, or basic support — all of these are included free with every domain at UMVA. The only additional fees that may apply are the standard registry redemption fees if you let a domain expire and need to restore it during the redemption period, and premium domain pricing which is clearly marked during search.

Yes! Our reseller program allows you to offer domain registration services to your own clients at your own pricing. You get access to wholesale pricing on 800+ TLDs, a full domain management API to automate domain operations, white-label options to remove UMVA branding from the client experience, and dedicated support for your reseller business. There are no minimum volume requirements to join. Whether you are a web design agency, hosting company, or SaaS provider, our reseller program helps you expand your service offerings.

Absolutely. Our Domain API gives developers programmatic access to domain registration, DNS management, WHOIS lookups, domain availability checks, and transfer management. The API is RESTful with JSON responses and is backed by comprehensive documentation with code examples in PHP, Python, Node.js, and cURL. Perfect for hosting platforms, SaaS providers, domain marketplaces, and automation workflows. API authentication is done via API keys generated from your dashboard, with role-based permissions for secure access.

Yes, our reseller program supports full white-label customization. Your clients will see your brand throughout the domain registration process — from search and checkout to management dashboard and email notifications. You can customize the domain search interface, checkout flow, invoices, and email templates with your own logo, colors, and domain name. This allows you to offer domain services as an integrated part of your brand without your clients knowing about the underlying provider.

Resellers receive access to tiered wholesale pricing based on volume. The more domains you manage, the lower your cost per domain. Wholesale pricing covers registration, renewal, and transfers across all 800+ TLDs. You set your own retail prices and keep the margin. Contact our sales team for current wholesale pricing tiers and volume discounts. There are no monthly fees or minimum commitments — you only pay for the domains you register.

Yes, our API is designed to support building full-featured domain platforms, from simple search-and-register widgets to comprehensive registrar services. The API covers domain availability checks, registration, transfers, renewals, DNS management, WHOIS privacy, domain locking, and contact management. With the white-label option, you can create a fully branded domain marketplace. Many of our resellers run successful domain businesses using our infrastructure. Documentation, sandbox testing, and integration support are provided to help you get started quickly.