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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

.nl in the spotlight: shaira.nl

"I'm doing this for personal development and because I want to help disadvantaged children in the Netherlands."

Closeup of green beads scattered on a wooden surface
  • Thursday 11 February 2021

For the Dutch business community, .nl is the internet domain of choice. Businesses are the driving force behind the growth of our national domain, and the reason why we're the world's #th-biggest country-code domain. Because the business community has such confidence in .nl, last year we passed the milestone of six million registrations. And behind every registration there's a story. An inspiring story that can help others setting foot on a similar path. One of them is the story of jewellery designer Reena Bateswar-Harpal and shaira.nl. Started in December last year, Reena's webshop donates 10 per cent of its earnings to a charity for disadvantaged children.

What was the motivation for starting your webshop?

Reena Bateswar-Harpal behind a table with materials and tools to make beaded bracelets
Reena Bateswar-Harpal registered shaira.nl

"I have a background in the fashion industry, and I'm creative by nature. Although I've got a job, I've wanted to start a business of my own for some time. Both as an outlet for my creativity and with the aim of doing good. So I came up with the idea of making jewellery and selling it online. At the end of last year, I took the plunge and launched my webshop."

What did that involve?

"Before doing anything else, I needed to come up with a name. I wanted something based on my own name, or my children's names. My middle name is Nashaira, and I was amazed to discover that shaira.nl was still available. I opted to register it through JouwWeb, then immediately bought a website and webshop to go with it. The set-up was pretty straightforward – I already knew a bit about webshops from my job. As soon as I registered the domain name, I started using it for my e-mail as well. The website design is based on a JouwWeb template. When the site went live, my friends were surprised, but very positive. People said that the site looked very professional. The surprising aspect for them was that I could build something like that without specialist help."

What does your webshop sell?

"Primarily my own handmade jewellery, under the Handmade by Shaira label. Then, to make the selection wider and provide diversity, I also buy in jewellery for resale. And I donate 10 per cent of all the income to a charity called Kinderen van de Voedselbank ('Children of the Foodbank')."

What's the background to that?

"It's a charity that I already supported privately. I made a donation on each of my children's birthdays. The idea is to do something for children who aren't able to celebrate their birthdays the way most kids do. The charity gives them a special birthday gift each year for two years. Although we live in a prosperous country, there are a lot of disadvantaged children in the Netherlands, and this is my way of doing something to help."

When did the site go live?

"Around Christmas. I shared details on Facebook and Instagram, using dedicated accounts (shaira.nl). I'm trying to build traffic organically for the most part. In my experience, Google brings in visitors but doesn't generate much in terms of sales. I placed a single ad on Facebook, and I was happier with the way that went. Most of my early customers were people I know, word-of-mouth contacts."

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?

"Don't hold back. Just give it a go. Get stuck in. Certainly if you've got an idea you believe in."

Want to read more business stories?

Take a look at other entrepreneurs and startups and their .nl.