A domain name is any name that is followed by a domain extension (example, yourname.com) and then used as the means by which people both identify and find you on the web. What these domain names do is map out a human-readable word or phrase that is received by a computer readable IP address (Internet Protocol address) that allows would-be clients and other visitors to view you site and make use of it as they live given whatever aim they may have in visiting it.

To buy a domain name with. ca extension is easy, you simply check to see if it’s available and if so then you have your Canadian web hosting provider secure it for you and then you renew it at certain intervals and pay to retain it. You can register most domains for up to 10 years.

Picking a good .ca domain name is likely more important than you realize. Good guidelines are to keep it easy to remember and easy to type, have it be unique, and have it incorporate know search-term keywords if they are a descriptor for your business. Picking the right domain type (extension) is important too and of course here we are recommending a .ca domain package.

You may also want to register multiple relevant domains, including variants of yours, common domain misspellings, or geographically-targeted domains depending on what you’re doing. Lastly, make your domain choice is not copyrighted even if it is available.

This is a simple process:

1. Obtain your domain’s transfer key (also referred to as AUTH key or EPP code) and this can be obtained from your current web hosting provider.
2. Unlock your domain. Most domains will be locked with current providers to prevent unauthorized transfers. This is often possible through the web panel controls, but if not you can forward your request to have this done.
3. Ensure accuracy of the domain’s administrative contact and their email address, as well as ensuring that any domain privacy is disabled.

Once started, a domain name transfer may take up to 5 days to complete, although ones for .ca domains are nearly always done much quicker. You also add 1 year to your domain name expiry date when you transfer your domain to 4GoodHosting.

Privacy Protection is a security measure that functions to restrict access to your private information on the Internet. With new domain registration you will need to submit personal information like name, email, phone number, and full address that is then made public on the WHOIS database where all registered domains and their owners are listed. This is done with the aim to provide transparency on the Internet.

Despite the legitimacy of the database, it may used by spammers, hackers, and identity thieves to spam your email, hack your website, or engage in identity theft. Privacy Protection means the private information you submit is removed from public viewing and replaced with a line indicating this user’s information is blocked with the Privacy Protection service.

There is a small cost for Privacy Protection, and you either need to request it during your new domain registration or go into your Client Area and add it. It’s a very advisable choice for all new domain registrations, and is included for free with .CA domains.

DNS (Domain Name System) is a technology that allowing the mapping of domain names to servers that hold the data of your website and email and making it necessary for site visitors to communicate with DNS servers in order to gain the actual location of the website’s data.

With Anycast DNS technology a site’s DNS information is automatically copied to dozens of locations around the world and so visitors will automatically be retrieving the information from the nearest location and this means better initial load time for the website. Faster page loadings is something that is important for any website that is serving business interests, and Anycast DNS can be included with your web hosting plan through your Client Area.

Go into your Client Area and you can manage your domain name, including these options:

• Updating your nameservers
• Updating WHOIS contact information
• Managing Privacy Protection
• Activating advanced DNS settings (A Record, CNAME, TXT and MX)
• Activating Domain Lock

Depending on your plan you may also be able take advantage of premium features like Anycast DNS, email forwarders, AntiSpam measures, and URL forwarders.

Registering your domain through 4GoodHosting or having your existing domain transferred to us is advantageous for a number of reasons:

• Free features like DNS Hosting, DNS Record Management and Domain Locking
• Practical add-ons like Privacy Protection, Email forwarding, URL forwarding and DNS Anycast technology that better protect and enable your site
• Intuitive Client Area where you can set up a new website, blog, or professional email on your new domain
• The most competitive pricing on web hosting in Canada and the uptime guarantees you need for your eCommerce websites
• 24/7 assistance from real experts, available by phone, email, or live chat

Depending on your plan you may also be able take advantage of premium features like Anycast DNS, email forwarders, AntiSpam measures, and URL forwarders.