How to Quickly Find Your Domain Registrar
Most people who create blogs or websites choose to register a domain name. A domain registrar is responsible for selling and managing domain name registrations.
Since the process of registering your domain name is typically completed early in the process of starting your site, it’s easy to forget your domain registrar. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to track down this information. Thank goodness!
Check Your Records
Start by digging up billing invoices or other records from when you purchased or renewed your domain name. Sigh. I know this is not the fun part BUT this is the simplest way to find your domain registrar.
Begin by conducting a thorough search of your email account, including the Archive and Trash folders. You can search for your full domain name or for phrases such as “domain registration”, “domain renewal” and “registered domain”.
Use a Lookup Service
If scouring your inbox doesn’t work, or you are just over it (Ain’t nobody got time for that) there are two websites you can use to find current domain registration information: https://who.is/ and https://lookup.icann.org/en.
To search for your domain on https://who.is/, complete these steps:
- Enter the complete domain name in the search field at the top of the page.
- Click the magnifying glass icon.
On the results page, review the information in the Registrar Info section, which includes the name of the domain registrar, as well as their website.
To search for your domain information on icann.org, follow these steps:
- In the Registration data lookup tool section, enter a complete domain name in the search field.
- Click Lookup.
- Scroll down the page to find the Registrar Information section, which displays the name and phone number of the domain registrar.
If you do not see the information you’re looking for in the Registrar Information section, or if you go to the listed registrar’s website and cannot log in using the correct credentials, it might be because you purchased your domain name from a reseller. A reseller is a legitimate, third-party organization that sells domain names through a registrar.
If you cannot log into the website of the registrar listed in the ICANN search results, contact their support team for assistance in determining which reseller you purchased your domain name from.
On the other hand, if there is no Name listed in the Registrar Information section of the ICANN search results, you can try completing these steps:
- After searching for your domain name, scroll to the bottom of the Domain Information page.
- Click the Expand icon (a small down arrow) next to Raw Registry RDAP Response.
- Find the reseller entry.
- Cut and paste the reseller’s website into your browser and navigate to their website.
- Log in with the username and password that you used when you purchased your domain name.
If you cannot remember your credentials, there is typically a Forgot username? Or Forgot password? link you can click. If not, contact the reseller’s support team (this information should be listed on their site).
Why Are Domain Registrars Important to Your Small Business?
Knowing who your domain registrar is can save you from potential headaches and nightmares. Think of your domain registrar as your internet landlord who rents out your website address to you. It's essential to know who your landlord is, so you don't accidentally end up paying rent to the wrong person – eek!
To put it bluntly, if you don't know who your domain registrar is, you could lose control of your website address. Imagine trying to regain access to your website without knowing where it's registered or who to contact. Your website will be wandering aimlessly through the web without a domain registrar to call home. Knowing your domain registrar is crucial in avoiding any domain expiration or transfer issues that may arise – and trust us when we say, you don't want to be dealing with that. So, do yourself a favor, and find out who your domain registrar is ASAP!
Take the Headache Out of Maintaining Your Website
To ensure that you never forget your domain registrar again, leave your website hosting in expert hands. Your WordPress Guy (Right here! Hi!) is happy to help you make the most of your WordPress website, from finding the best hosting package, to registering your domain name, to keeping your site secure and fully functional. Feel free to request an appointment so we can show you what we can do!
How to Quickly Find Your Domain Registrar Summary
• Most people who create websites register a domain name; a domain registrar is responsible for selling and managing these registrations.
• To find the domain registrar, it’s best to search through past records and billing invoices or look up the information on https://who.is/ or https://lookup.icann.org/en.
• If no name is seen in the results, check resellers and log in with credentials used to purchase the domain.
• To avoid such headaches in the future, leave website hosting to expert hands.
What is a domain registrar?
A domain registrar is a service that allows you to purchase and manage domain names. They are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or a national authority to register domain names.
How can I find out who my domain registrar is?
You can find your domain registrar by checking your past billing invoices, searching your email for records related to domain registration or renewal, or by using a domain lookup service like https://who.is/ or https://lookup.icann.org/en.
What should I do if I can't find any emails or invoices related to my domain name?
If you can't find any documentation related to your domain, you can use online lookup services like https://who.is/ or https://lookup.icann.org/en. These services will provide information including the name of your domain registrar.
What if the information on the lookup service is incomplete or incorrect?
If you find that the information is incomplete or incorrect, it could be because you purchased the domain name from a reseller rather than a registrar. In this case, you should contact the support team of the listed registrar for assistance in identifying the reseller.
What is a reseller in terms of domain registration?
A reseller is a third-party organization that sells domain names but is not directly accredited by ICANN. They work through a registrar to provide domain services.
What happens if I forget my login credentials for the registrar or reseller website?
If you forget your login credentials, you can generally click the "Forgot username?" or "Forgot password?" link on the login page of the registrar or reseller website. If that option is not available, you can contact their support team for assistance.
Why is it important to know my domain registrar?
Knowing your domain registrar is crucial for maintaining control over your domain name. It helps you manage domain renewal, DNS settings, and other administrative tasks, thereby avoiding domain expiration or transfer issues.
Can I change my domain registrar?
Yes, it is possible to transfer your domain name to a different registrar. However, there are specific steps and conditions you need to follow, and fees may apply.
How can I ensure I don't forget my domain registrar in the future?
One way to ensure you don't forget your domain registrar is to maintain good records. Alternatively, you can employ a web hosting service that manages these details for you.
What services, besides domain registration, do domain registrars usually offer?
Most domain registrars offer additional services like web hosting, SSL certificates, and email hosting, among others.