Users may look up the contact details of a domain name registrant which they are interested in. In a local context, this includes all the major TLD variants within Australia. This feature is particularly useful for those who are looking to open negotiations with a domain holder with respect to acquiring a name. Another purpose served by the service is to ensure that a domain is not registered. Even if a webpage suggests that there is no active domain operating (for example, through an error message or similar), a registrant may have recently acquired the name and not yet attributed it to a web host.

Some of the notable information that one can establish from a WHOIS search is detailed below:

–          When the domain was last modified

–          The name of the domain registrant (e.g. personal name or business name)

–          A domain registrant’s eligibility to hold the domain (e.g. Company, Sole Trader, etc.)

–          A contact name and email address for the registrant

–          A contact name and email address for the domain’s technical representative

–          The domain name registrar overseeing the registration

The au Domain Administration has also developed a policy that governs the balance between a registrant’s right to privacy, a well-functioning marketplace, and the interests of law enforcement agencies on behalf of the wider community. Most notably, guidelines stipulate that registrars should advise registrants about their details being displayed online, while registrants must provide their consent to release such information. The onus is also on registrants to maintain accurate details, which is argued to be in their own best interests as well as those of the industry.

To safeguard against fraud and malicious practices, the auDA does not require a physical address to be provided as part of the published contact details. Similarly, creation or expiry dates are not listed within the search engine, for fear that those with sinister intentions could use the data to solicit or scam registrants. Lastly, users who wish to use the WHOIS search service are also limited by the number of searches they may make within a certain period, while a manual process also goes some way to deter and prevent unscrupulous activities by those seeking to make commercial gains.

That’s it for this occasion, stay tuned for our next educational article. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,
The Netfleet Team

http://www.netfleet.com.au

Edging out its peers to take the honours for the top selling domain was yq.com.au. Picked up by a private domain name investor, the name is likely to have gathered attention due to its two letter composition. While the letter mix isn’t perhaps as lucrative as some other two-letter combinations, domainers and registrants are typically drawn to a name like this because of its short, memorable nature. In this instance, the domain was sold for $1,209.95, with the new registrant wasting little time in advertising it for sale.

Next up, leisure.com.au was sold for $1,149.45. In what could easily be described as a perfect fit, the new registrant is a company called LeisureCom Group Pty Ltd. The company also operate under a similarly named business name, LeisureCom Travel Group – in essence, a travel specialist with property partners across the globe. The acquisition looks set to become one of the better value registrations we’ve seen of late, particularly because of the benefits it will afford its new owner. For starters, the company currently operate with a somewhat confusing domain name leisurecom.com – and no, that first ‘com’ isn’t a typo!

Now attracting the shorter, simpler version of their business name, which also coincides with a keyword possessing notable search volume, the business should begin to see an increase in search traffic. Not only through new customers, but those who may have previously made the mistake of omitting the ‘com’ within the old domain. Additionally, the company now has access to an Australian domain name, which will afford its customers a sense of understanding, insight and security into the operations of the business.

Selling for the same sum as the aforementioned domain was commstech.com.au. In almost identical circumstances, the new registrant of the domain will also be a company who share their name with the domain in question – Commstech Australia Pty Ltd.

Set to benefit from the name change, the company was previously using comms-tech.com. Not only does this domain name fail to highlight the company’s target demographic, but there is a high chance that web traffic may be lost due to customers forgetting to type the hyphen – something often advised against when choosing the right domain name. Another astute purchase, the benefits realised from this name change should more than cover the costs incurred.

Last but not least, squeezing into the list was igloo.com.au, which came in at $1,028.45.A keyword oriented domain, yet one that has great potential for branding purposes, the name was acquired by a private company. Said company has a history of operating under several business names, some of which pertain to websites and design. The registrant has also been the holder of multiple domain names, suggesting this may be held for investment purposes. Nonetheless, with a memorable title, and high branding appeal, the domain could sell for a greater sum if the right buyer comes along.

That’s it for this occasion, stay tuned for the latest updates in our next post.

Best wishes,
The Netfleet Team

http://www.netfleet.com.au