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Frequently visited

Frequently asked questions

  • I am looking for a domain name registrant. Where can I look it up?

    The Whois is an easy-to-use tool for checking the availability of a .nl domain name. If the domain name is already taken, you can see who has registered it.

    On the page looking up a domain name you will find more information about what a domain name is, how the Whois works and how the privacy of personal data is protected. Alternatively, you can go straight to look for a domain name via the Whois.

  • I would like to transfer my domain name to another registrar. What is the procedure?

    To get your domain name transferred, you need the token (unique ID number) for your domain name. Your existing registrar has the token and is obliged to give it to you within five days, if you ask for it. The procedure for changing your registrar is described on the page transferring your domain name.

  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date. How can I get them updated?

    To update the contact details associated with your domain name, you need to contact your registrar. Read more about updating contact details.

  • Why is my domain name in quarantine?

    When a domain name is cancelled, we aren't told the reason, so we can't tell you. You'll need to ask your registrar. The advantage of quarantine is that, if a name's cancelled by mistake, you can always get it back.

    One common reason is that the contract between you and your registrar says you've got to renew the registration every year. If you haven't set up automatic renewal and you don't renew manually, the registration will expire.

  • Ik heb een klacht over mijn provider/registrar. Kan ik daarvoor bij SIDN terecht?

    Wanneer je een klacht hebt over of een geschil met je registrar dan zijn er verschillende mogelijkheden om tot een oplossing te komen. Hierover lees je meer op pagina klacht over registrar. SIDN heeft geen formele klachtenprocedure voor het behandelen van een klacht over jouw registrar.

  • What conditions do I have to meet as a registrar?

    Would you like to be able to register domain names for customers or for your own organisation by dealing directly with SIDN? If so, you can become a .nl registrar. Read more about the conditions and how to apply for registrar status on the page becoming a registrar.

More frequently asked questions

Doing business on line: Facebook or your own domain?

What are the pros and cons?

What's best for doing business: Facebook or your own domain? Many people and organisations are asking themselves that question again following recent revelations about the use of Facebook data by Cambridge Analytica. In practice, many businesses use both channels. But some rely entirely on a Facebook page. So what are the pros and cons? We've draw up a list to help you out.

Facebook

Website

Creating a page is free.

Domain registration and hosting are paid services.

No building required: page format is standard.

You build the site yourself, e.g. using tools such as WordPress, Wix or Joomla.

No maintenance required.

You need to maintain the site.

Having only a Facebook page makes a less professional impression and offers limited scope for branding.

Having your own domain looks more professional or 'corporate'. There's ample scope for branding.

You're completely dependent on Facebook, you can't transfer and your advertising is largely limited to Facebook.

Domain name and website can be moved to another service provider any time, and you can do your own search engine optimisation.

You have little control over what appears on your page.

You have full control over your content.

Data about visitors (potential customers) goes to Facebook.

Visitor data is yours alone.

Ultimately, more than 80 per cent of Dutch businesses opt for their own website (source: Trends in Internet Use 2016). And with good reason: it looks more professional and keeps you in control.

Article by:

Michiel Henneke

Michiel Henneke

Marketing Manager