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The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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.
"Your website is like your business's calling card."
Friday 2 October 2020
Confidence amongst the many businesspeople within the online community has enabled .nl to become the biggest internet domain in the Netherlands, recently passing the milestone of six million registered domain names. And, behind every business registration, there's a story. A story about how the venture started and what the business is doing to build an online presence. We're celebrating reaching six million by telling some of those stories. This week it's the story of Michael Geels and ragecar.nl, a recreational attraction in Zwolle, where visitors get the chance to totally destroy a car. Since Michael teamed up with a local scrapyard owner, the business has been picking up speed. The website went live in August and bookings are now coming in.
"A while back, I took part in a car-breaking session at another venue. And that immediately made me think that I should set up something similar in Zwolle," recalls Michael. "So I did some research to find out what would be involved and I approached the owner of a scrapyard in the city. He liked the idea straight away and was keen for us to set something up together. He provides the cars and the space, and I arrange everything else."
Read more below the photo.
So... I like the sound of RAGECAR and I make a booking... then what?
"You can book a RAGECAR session by visiting ragecar.nl or by phone. Typically for yourself and your friends, relatives or workmates. Each group gets its own car to wreck, which is always in good condition at the start. Before we let them loose, we give them safety advice, so that it's only the car that gets wrecked. They're all given protective clothing, such as coloured overalls, safety glasses and safety gloves. And obviously they get the tools they need to completely destroy the car. Then we set up the car for them and let them get to work. They get an hour to do whatever: spray the car with graffiti, smash the windows, wreck the bodywork, destroy the bumpers... you name it. After an hour, everyone's normally done in, because the activity is pretty full on. So then it's time for a drink."
Why opt for a .nl domain name?
"For us, a .nl domain name was the obvious choice, because our target audience is primarily local. It's mainly people from Zwolle and the surrounding area who're going to be interested in RAGECAR. As I see it, you can't get anywhere nowadays without an internet presence. And, if you're in the Netherlands and you want to be found online, a .nl domain name is a must. Your website is your calling card and usually the first point of contact for potential customers. I liked the name RAGECAR, because it's strong and direct. It sums up our concept really well."
Read more below the photo.
What about website design and hosting?
"I wanted to keep the website as simple and accessible as possible. I designed and bult it myself using the WordPress open-source software. It's hosted by Versio. The design is based on a premium WordPress template, and I also bought a plugin so that the bookings can be handled online through Woocommerce. There's a tool on the site's homepage enabling visitors to easily fix a date for their session there and then. People can also read the safety rules and the COVID-19 precautions before their session."
"The website is already paying off," says Michael. "A team from the local information service indebuurt.nl will be visiting RAGECAR soon to make a video about us. The plan is to put an article about RAGECAR on the indebuurt website. We've had the first bookings via the website too."
What do you ultimately want to achieve with RAGECAR?
"My ultimate goal? To build RAGECAR into something really big and get lots of bookings, enough that we need to open up during the week. At the moment we're only open on Fridays and Saturdays. At some stage I might also extend the activities with special rooms where people can trash an interior. I've already decided what I'll call them: RAGEROOMS."
"In the short term, the aim is to get the RAGECAR name better known. With that in mind, I want to make sure we're easily findable online and share content via the website, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. RAGECAR is the way to work off your aggression, but what I really want is for RAGECAR to provide people with a really enjoyable, active experience. I want people who come here to have fun smashing up a car and just hanging out together."
Any advice for other people going into business?
"If you've got an idea that you really believe in, just go for it! Don't wait until you've perfected every aspect of your concept. Get the ball rolling! You learn most by doing. So get started and see where it takes you."
