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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Outlook is bright for .nl

Strong performance in 2022; business community positive about 2023

Hand flipping a wooden block from 2 to 3, so that the year 2023 is visible.

At the end of 2022, there were 6,299,000 .nl domain names: 68,000 or 1.07 per cent more than twelve months earlier. Although not quite as high as in the COVID years of 2020 and 2021, net growth was in step with the pre-pandemic trend. Encouragingly, the average lifespan of a domain name continues to grow, further reinforcing the foundations of the .nl zone. What's more, businesses represented on the SIDN Panel are generally positive about the prospects for 2023.

Fewer new registrations, fewer cancellations

At the end of 2022, there were 6,299,000 .nl domain names: 68,000 or 1.07 per cent more than twelve months earlier. Although not quite as high as in the COVID years of 2020 and 2021, net growth was in step with the pre-pandemic trend. Encouragingly, the average lifespan of a domain name continues to grow, further reinforcing the foundations of the .nl zone. What's more, businesses represented on the SIDN Panel are generally positive about the prospects for 2023.

Business community positive about online prospects

Last month, we asked 100 business members of the SIDN Panel how they expected online commerce to develop in 2023. Although the general economic outlook is not particularly good, most respondents were upbeat: 34 per cent see online turnover growing in 2023. Only 7 per cent anticipated a decline. Respondents' confidence was based mainly on anticipated returns on investments their firms have made over the last 2 years in new websites, software and improved online findability. The less positive responses came from sectors hampered by labour shortages.

"We think our new website will help to drive growth. However, website visitors expect prompt service. So recruiting extra personnel is vital." Service sector respondent

Cybersecurity is important

A clear upward trend in cybersecurity investment is also apparent. As in 2021, the money that businesses invested in their websites went mainly on improved findability and design. However, cybersecurity is now right behind those priorities. Of our business panellists, 37 per cent say they want to invest in cybersecurity next year. Last year, the percentage with similar plans was too small to be significant.

Inflation is the big fear

Although positive about online business prospects, our panellists are wary of the dark clouds looming over the economy. Asked what they saw as the main hazards ahead, 42 per cent mentioned inflation as a serious or very serious threat. Recession, energy prices and staff shortages were also flagged up, but not as often. Most business respondents don't expect those challenges to influence their online investments, however. On the contrary, 34 per cent think that, if the economic climate worsens, they're likely to invest more in internet activities. In relative terms, online commerce is increasingly attractive. In one business respondent's own words:

"The online world is increasingly attractive to all businesses. Online, everything's open 24/7, and we're not dependent on a single customer group. Having a national profile will be increasingly important." A business member of the SIDN Panel

Questions?

If you've got any questions about the survey results, please contact our .nl Domain Marketing Manager, Michiel Henneke. The historical development of the .nl domain can be found at stats.sidnlabs.nl. I

Article by:

Michiel Henneke

Michiel Henneke

Marketing Manager