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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Boost your findability with a good domain name

A well-chosen domain name makes it easier for people to find your business on the internet. But how? What do you need to consider when choosing a name, and what search engine optimisation (SEO) tricks will get your website to the top of the search results? Does it matter which extension you use, and can you change your domain name?

On this page we explain how a .nl domain name can improve your finadability. As well as useful background info, there are several short videos in which SEO expert Eduard Blacquiere (www.edwords.nl) explains the essentials.

Search engine optimization

For a high search engine ranking, three things make a big difference:

  1. Technology

    A site that's slow to load or doesn't have an SSL certificate scores badly. Bear that in mind when choosing a hosting package.

  2. Content

    If your site keeps people interested, that's reflected in positive opinions and a better ranking.

  3. Authority

    Links, shares, likes. They define your site's reputation on the net.

Eduard Blacquiere explains why findability matters for your website and what difference a domain name makes.

Which domain name is most findable?

Someone who does a search sees a list of hits, including your site. What's going to make that person click on your domain name? Put yourself in their shoes. Do a search for the goods or services you sell, and see which results catch your eye. Eduard Blacquiere describes the ideal name.

What about changing your domain name?

After using one domain name for a while, you might be tempted to change. Maybe because a better sounding name comes on the market, which wasn't available before. However, a name change can have a big findability impact. So tread carefully. All the experts agree: never change your name and your site at the same time. If you must change, start with the domain name, wait for Google to pick up the switch, and then roll out the new site. Google has an FAQ section devoted to this topic.

Let's get going!

So now you're full of ideas and want to get cracking, eh? Eduard Blacquiere has some tips on (free) tools to help you hit the ground running.

The tools that Eduard mentions in the video are:

Want to know more? Read articles on SEO for entrepreneurs on Frankwatching (in Dutch).