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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

"We've grown enormously over the last year, and the prospects are good."

Jarie Scheepstra, owner of Volare Motoren, fills a tank of a motorcycle with gasoline.
  • Friday 2 April 2021

For anyone doing business in the Netherlands, .nl is the internet domain. 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 Jarie Scheepstra, who runs Volare Motoren, a motorsport company based in the town of Assen. Jarie recently switched domain names after discovering that the new name – volaremotoren.nl – got better search engine rankings.

Your website volaremotoren.nl went live in February, but you've actually been trading for some time.

Jarie Scheepstra, owner of Volare Motoren, fills a tank of a motorcycle with gasoline.
Jarie Scheepstra registered volaremotoren.nl

"Yes, I started the business in 2017. I was working on the motorsport scene on a self-employed basis and needed to register with the Chamber of Commerce. A relative came up with the name Volare; it's Latin for flying, racing, going fast. We sell and maintain motorcycles and we also provide custom building and tuning services for motorcyclists. We're based in Assen, the 'home' of Dutch motorsport. I started off using the name Volare Techniek, but that turned out to be too generic and didn't get good search engine rankings. So I switched to volaremotoren.nl. The new name has a more obvious link to what the business does, so the rankings are better. The main advantage of that is bringing in new customers, in addition to the ones who already know me from the motorsport world."

How did you build your website?

"One of my customers is Jos Sabel of Sabos Webdesign in Beilen. He registered the domain name for me through Mijndomein, who also handle the hosting and security. (Editor's note: volaremotoren.nl scores 97% on internet.nl.) We did a deal: he'd build me a website, and I'd look after his motorbike."

Do you promote the business on social media?

"My racing activities are very good for the reputation of the business. The racing brings in customers. So I regularly post behind-the-scenes photos from motorsport events on Facebook and Instagram. The pictures provide a sort of alternative window on the motorsport scene. I've now got nearly a thousand followers on Facebook, and that brings in trade as well. Of course, you have to devote a certain amount of time to it – I try to set aside half a day a week – but it's easily worth my while."

So you're still an active bike racer?

"The racing is where my heart is, but the business focuses mainly on street bikes. Racing is great, but it keeps you away from home so much. At world championship level, you can be away for weeks on end. So, although I'm still racing, I don't do as much as I used to. As a mechanic, I'm active mainly on the IDM Superbike scene. A lot of events are still taking place, albeit without spectators, so I'm still allowed to travel. Nevertheless, all coronavirus testing requirements and so forth have had a major impact."

Jarie Scheepstra with a motorcycle on a circuit

How has the pandemic affected your business?

"We took a hit initially, but then busines gradually picked up again. People who couldn't go on holiday started riding their motorbikes more. And it was noticeable to us that they were also spending more on their bikes. Customers are now definitely placing much bigger orders than before. As a result, the business grew so much in 2020 that we moved to bigger premises on 1 February this year. By coincidence, we moved at just about the same time that the new website went live. The biggest problem we've had is that the crisis has disrupted component supplies from abroad. Sometimes we can't do what a customer wants, because we can't get the parts."

How do you see the period ahead?

"I'm optimistic. In the next few years, I'm hoping to double the size of the business, with more floorspace and more staff. We also want a more extensive website and a webshop for parts, so that we can provide a better service to customers who like to work on their bikes themselves."

Want to read more business stories?

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