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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Starting a business? Come to Start-ups Day!

Start-ups Day is Saturday 16 November at Ahoy Rotterdam

Female starting entrepreneur
  • Monday 4 November 2024

National Start-ups Day – the Chamber of Commerce's annual event for people starting out in business – takes place at Ahoy Rotterdam on 16 November. This year's Start-ups Day is being organised alongside its sister event for growing businesses, the Chamber of Commerce Innovation Top 100. Two valuable business conventions rolled into one! SIDN will be there with a stand, and we'll be teaming up with the Chamber of Commerce and the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property to deliver 5 workshops on choosing the right name. So if you're starting or growing a business, register now!

Start-ups Day

If you're just getting started in business, or you're planning to take that route, the Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day is a must. It's a free event, where you can pick up lots of invaluable tips and pointers about getting your business off to a flying start. Topics covered will include marketing, tax, administration, money matters and doing (online) business securely. As well as SIDN, various other partners will have stands at the event to give you advice. At this year's event, there'll be the Tax and Customs Administration Service, the Employee Insurance Scheme Executive Body, the Digital Trust Center, webshop trustmark organisation Thuiswinkel.org, the Data Protection Authority and others.

New businesses

Dutch start-up businesses are important for the .nl domain, because commercial websites with .nl extensions make a big contribution to .nl's image. What's more, thousands of entrepreneurs and tradespeople find their way to sidn.nl each year via the Chamber of Commerce website. The CoC also plays an important role in educating businesspeople about selecting a domain name. For us, Start-ups Day is also a great opportunity to meet our end customers in person. Because the stand always attracts lots of visitors, a number of .nl registrars will be there to help us advise everyone. The registrars with us this year are ...

Our stand

Start-ups Day generates an upbeat, inspiring atmosphere. Many of the people who drop by our stand ask us about choosing the best domain name for a new venture. We use our .nl Suggestion Tool to give immediate, on-the-spot advice on the kind of domain name that their business and website needs. We also answer questions about hosting, website design and e-mail, which often involves referring people to our registrars. And we sometimes get approached by people who've got entangled in a domain name-related dispute, and want to know what to do.

Workshops

Workshops on choosing the right name for your business are now an established feature of Start-ups Day. We run the workshops in partnership with Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) and the Chamber of Commerce, because our three organisations have complementary expertise. At the workshops, you'll get tips on coming up with a strong name for your product or service. You'll also hear what is and isn't allowed, and learn what makes a name memorable, easy to say and suitable for international use.

Word artist

Already thought of the perfect name? Want a way of putting an idea into words? Our word artist Sjaak Kroes can help. You'll find him on our stand.

We'd love to see you there!

Thinking of starting a business? Recently started out for yourself? The Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day is a great way to brush up on marketing, taxation, administration, money matters and doing business securely. And it's free to attend! We look forward to seeing you there!

This supports sustainability goal(s):

  • 17. Partnerships for the goals
Read more about the Sustainable Development Goals.