FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
  • General Domain & Service Questions
    • Why should I register with, or Transfer to cadomains.ca?
    • What Services are provided with my Registration?
    • What is a domain name?
    • Why do I need a domain name?
    • Do I need to have a web site to register a domain name?
    • I have a domain name...now what?
    • Who are Arvic, CIRA, ICANN & Enom
    • Why do I need a Registrar?
    • Why are all Domain Name Sales Final?
    • Are Web Hosting Sales Final?
    • What is Free Parking?
    • What is URL Forwarding?
    • Can I get email addresses with you?
  • Manage Existing Domains
    • Account Management
    • Domain Management
  • Domain Registrations
    • How do I register my domain name(s)?
  • Domain Renewals
    • Why do I need to Renew with my existing Registrar?
  • Domain Transfers
    • How do I transfer my domain name(s)?
  • Adding other Services
    • Free Services
    • Web Hosting Packages
    • Kwiksites Instant WebBuilder
    • SSL Security Certificates
    • Rent A Server Services
General Domain & Service Questions
Why should I register with, or Transfer to cadomains.ca?
  • With us you get:
    • Personalized Customer service
    • no hidden Registrar fees
    • 27 years in business
    • Experienced, Professional & Timely assistance
    • We have been a CIRA Certified registrar since 2000 with an impeccable reputation
    • We accept Cheques, especially for Not-for-Profits, Associations, Societies and Institutes because we know many times you need to be invoiced
    • You receive a 30 day, 14 day, 7 day, and 1 day Renewal Notification via email
    • With every Registration we include Free Domain Parking or URL Forwarding
    • We understand the rules behind your registration and try and make sure you are registered correctly
    • We also understand that domain name management can have frustrating moments, and we are here to help you
What Services are provided with my Registration?
  • Each Registration, Renewal and Transfer includes:
    • Personalized Customer service
    • no hidden Registrar fees
    • 27 years in business
    • Experienced, Professional & Timely assistance
    • Cheque Payments Available
    • Comprehensive Renewal notifications
    • .and Free Domain Parking, with:
    • 1 info@ email address or URL forwarding service
    • Email Forwarding
    • Auto responders
    • Webmail or Pop3email client options
What is a domain name?
  • A domain name is a unique alpha-numeric address used to identify and locate a particular computer on the Internet. It is used for web pages and email addresses. For example, cadomains.ca is a domain name and its unique web address is www.cadomains.ca and the email can be info@cadomains.ca, or support@cadomains.ca, etc. (please do not use these emails, neither of them exist).
  • Domain names allow Internet users to type in an easy-to-remember name, such as "companyname.ca", which gets translated by the Domain Name System (DNS) into numerical addresses (Internet Protocol numbers) such as 207.25.50.210. The DNS allows ordinary internet users to find web sites and send email without having to memorize the numerical addresses.
  • A domain name is hierarchical and those at the same level of the hierarchy must be unique. For example, there can be only one cadomains.ca.
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Why do I need a domain name?
  • To protect your business, product, brand, or personal name for use on the internet. then you need to register a domain name.
Do I need to have a web site to register a domain name?
  • You do not need to have a web site to register a domain name. You can simply be securing your domain name for future use, or to ensure that your competitors do not have access to your domain.
  • We do have services available to you if you do not have a web site such as our Free Parking services or Kwiksites Instant WebBuilder.
I have a domain name...now what?
  • Protecting your business, product, service, brand, or personal name by registering it as a domain name is the first step to your overall Web Presence plan. But what is next? There are 3 services that are needed in order to get your web site up and running on the Internet:
    • Domain Name Registration - when you are ready, make sure to register your domain name with Arvic, www.cadomains.ca.
    • Web Design - have your web site created by a web designer.
    • Web Hosting services - get your web hosting service packages through us to get your newly designed site onto the Internet.
  • If you want to be online immediately, then use our Kwiksites Instant WebBuilder to easily create and maintain your website. Set up a Kwiksites Trial to test your web design skill.
Who are Arvic, CIRA, ICANN & Enom?
  • Arvic Search Services Inc. has been in operation since 1983 and operates the CADomains.ca website and Domain name registration services.
  • On November 1 2000; the non-profit corporation, Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) took over the operation of the .Ca registry and certified certain companies to become .Ca domain name Registrars. At that time, we, Arvic, were certified by CIRA and opened our domain name registration division called CADomains.ca. Since then, we have been specializing in providing our customers professional, full service .Ca domain name services.
Why do I need a Registrar?
  • The domain name registry system was created so that one entity builds, manages and maintains the actual Domain Registry (Such as CIRA or ICANN). Those registration authorities accredit businesses to be Registrars that link the Registrant of a domain name to the registry.
  • Therefore, all domain names do need to be registered through a Registrar.


Why are all Domain Name Sales Final?
  • Once a domain name is registered or renewed in its applicable Registry there is no way to have that domain removed, cancelled, or years reduced off the Registration or Renewal term. This includes such instances as fraudulent registrations, misspelled domains, or when you may change your mind on a domain.
  • Registrations - Please ensure that you have spelled your domain names correctly and that you have included or excluded all the domain names you wish from your Shopping Cart before proceeding to the Credit Card Payment page. If you have selected the Cheque Payment option, then you do have time to adjust your order because your domain names will not be registered until payment is successfully received.
    • .Ca - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has created an "Add Grace Period" that allows for the deletion of newly registered .Ca domain name registrations within 5 days of their Creation Date. If you need to cancel a newly registered .Ca domain name, contact us with your request through the Helpdesk Support Centre.
  • Renewals - Please ensure that you have selected the correct number of Renewal years, and that you have included or excluded all the domain names you wish from your Shopping Cart before proceeding to the Credit Card Payment page. If you have selected the Cheque Payment option, then you do have time to adjust your order because your domain names will not be renewed until payment is successfully received.
Are Web Hosting Sales Final?
  • All of our Web Hosting packages are purchased in 1 year terms. Therefore, if you are cancelling your web hosting package prior to your term being completed, a refund will not be issued. However, if you need to amend your web hosting package based on increased or decreased need (upgrading or downgrading your existing plan) we most certainly can accommodate that request.
What is Free Parking?
  • Free Parking is a service you can use to make your domain name work for you even before you have a website. The Free Parking includes a static Under Construction page and 1 info@yourdomainname.ca email address. You can send and receive email via webmail, or through your preferred POP3 email client program such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird.
What is URL Forwarding?
  • URL forwarding is widely used when you own a number of different domain names that reflect your different products, services, brand or business names. You URL forward all of your domain names to your one website.
Can I get email addresses with you?
  • Email accounts are provided to you in 2 ways:
    • A web hosting service provides you with email accounts. We have an eMail Only hosting package of 5 email addresses with 100MB of email disk storage space for $60/yr. Give us a call to set you up with an email package, or send us a request through our Helpdesk Support Centre.
    • You can initiate the 1 Free Parking email address that comes with your domain name registration.
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Manage Existing Domains

Account Management

Can I have my Password sent to me?
  • Use our Password Recovery tool to have your Password instantly sent to the User Account and/or Administrative email address listed on your domain account.
  • Check your SPAM/Junk folder if you do not receive your Password recovery email immediately.
  • If you still do not receive your Password, please use the Helpdesk Support Centre to send us a request for your Password.
I need to update the email address the Password Recovery tool is sending to.
  • If you noticed that the email address listed for your account is no longer valid and you are unable to retrieve your Password, download the following form. Print it off onto Corporate letterhead if applicable and follow the instructions outlined on the form
  • Manual Change of Administrative Contact email address Form
Can I update my Password? How do I merge my multiple Usernames and Passwords into one account?
  • Send your domain consolidation request to us through the Helpdesk Support Centre.
  • Select the one User Account (or domain name) you would like all the domain names consolidated into. Please provide us with a list of all the domain names that you would like added to the aforementioned account.
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Domain Management

Updating your Domain
What is a Registrant Contact?
  • The Registrant Contact is an Individual or Non-Individual entity that has the Authority to use the domain name. The Registrant's role in the domain name registration differs in each TLD extension. For example, with .Ca domain name registrations the Registrant is required to meet the Canadian Presence Requirements in order to manage and maintain a .Ca domain Name. For a .Com domain name, the Registrant will receive EPP Key/Auth Code information and will need to complete a confirmation during a Registrar Transfer process.

    How do I update my Domain Name Contacts?

    When you are logged into your User Account go to the Manage Existing Domains link in the Domains Tab.

    To Update a Contact, simply click on the contact link and make your necessary changes. On the right-hand side of your page you will see the list of domain names that currently have that contact ID listed in them. The changes you make will affect all the domain names listed.

    Updating a Registrant ID for a .Ca domain name: You cannot 'update' a Registrant Contact Id for a .Ca domain name. Instead, we will need to complete a Registrant Transfer. Please send us your new Registrant Contact details in the format outlined below through the Helpdesk Support Centre (or by email), and we will create your new Registrant Contact Id for you. We will also send you instructions on how to sign the new Registrant Agreement with CIRA.

    Registrant Name: Canadian Presence Requirement Category: Is this Registrant a Canadian Corporation, Canadian Citizen or hold a Registered Canadian Trademark? View all Canadian Presence Requirement Categories.
    Email Address:
    Telephone #:
What is an Administrative Contact?
  • The Administrative contact has the right to Renew and Update the domain name. Renewal notices will be sent to the Administrative contact's email address as well as the Username and Password when using the Password Recovery Tool.
What is a Technical Contact?
  • A Technical Contact is no longer required for many TLD registrations. The Technical contact is not allowed to access information on the domain name registration; however, the option is available to input a Technical contact into the domain registration.
What is a Billing Contact?
  • The Billing Contact is used to send Renewal Notices. If you have a specific Accounts Payable department that handles billing and payments, please insert that email address. If a Billing Address is inserted, then the Renewal Notices will be sent to the Billing Contact and not the Administrative Contact.
What are DNS Servers?
  • 2 unique DNS servers are required to be included with each Domain Name registration.
  • We have default DNS servers that will be automatically inserted into your registration. If you have webhosting or email services already purchased ten your web hosting company will provide you DNS servers to insert into your domain name record.
Why aren't my DNS servers being accepted when I try to update?
  • Your DNS Servers may need to be registered with the registry. Include your Name Server IP addresses when updating or registering your domain name and the Name Servers will be automatically registered with the registry.
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Domain Registrations

How do I register my domain name(s)?
  • The online forms will guide you through your registration process.
  • If you are registering a .Ca domain name, you will be prompted to read and Agree to the Registrant Agreement to owning a .Ca domain name.
  • For all other TLD domain extensions you will be advised to read the Registration Agreement.
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Domain Renewals

Why do I need to Renew with my existing Registrar?
  • All the domain name registries were created so that you could reserve your domain name through an accredited Registrar. Therefore, in the Registry, that current Registrar is the only Registrar that has access to your domain name. Another Registrar is not allowed to make changes, view contact information, or renew a domain name that is not being managed by them. Why is that? Because all the responsibility and obligation of that domain name registration is on the current Registrar. If it is registered maliciously, then that Registrar is held liable. This ensures the integrity of the registry system.
  • Therefore, you do need to renew with your existing Registrar, because that is the only Registrar that has access to your domain name. Domain names can be transferred between Registrars. Please note that in most registries there is a time delay on Registrar Transfers that can affect your Renewal.
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Domain Transfers

How do I transfer my domain name(s)?
  • To Transfer your domain name to our system from another Registrar use the Transfer link on www.cadomains.ca
  • The Transfer pages will guide you through your Transfer. However, if you do have any questions or you need assistance in your Transfer, please contact us.
  • In the event you need to Transfer your domain name away from our services, you will need to contact us through the Helpdesk Support Centre to request the EPP Key for your domain name be sent to the current Administrative contact's email address. Please ensure that the request comes from the authorized Administrative contact listed on the domain name.
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Adding Other Services

Free Services

URL Forwarding
  • Send a request through the Helpdesk Support Centre to have URL forwarding set up on your domain name. Provide us the domain name to forward and the URL you wish to have that domain name forwarded to.
Free Parking email account
  • Send a request through the Helpdesk Support Centre to have your Free Parking email (info@yourdomainname.ca) created. We will send you instructions on how to login to your email via webmail as well as the instructions to set up your POP3 email client program.
Paid Services

Web Hosting Packages
  • We have new state-of-the-art equipment, and multiple packages made to suit any of your needs. We offer our web hosting services through our Chilifish brand name. Please go to www.chilifish.com to see which hosting package will meet your needs.
  • Barebones Web Hosting Package - 500MB
  • Barebones Plus Hosting Package
  • Advanced Hosting Package
  • The Works Hosting Package
  • eMail Only Package
  • Enhanced DNS services - perfect for your Google Apps, Weebly, Wordpress, or Joomla needs.

Kwiksites Instant WebBuilder
  • Our Kwiksites Instant WebBuilder will have you online within minutes. This pre-designed template based builder uses a Content Management system quite like Microsoft Word. It will make your transition onto the Internet as easy as possible.
  • Plus you get to take advantage of a full web hosting package with 5 email accounts.
  • Set up a Kwiksites Trial and see how easy your web creation can be.

SSL Security Certificates
  • We offer numerous trusted SSL security certificates such as VeriSign, Geotrust, and Comodo.
  • Geotrust - 2nd largest SSL certificate provider.
    • Quick SSL - Domain Validation at a Standard trust level. Cost effective and fast implementation
    • Rapid SSL - Issued in minutes and ideal for just getting started.
  • Verisign SSL's - "increase transactions by increasing trust"
    • Secure Site - Full validation and 100K warranty
  • Comodo SSL
    • Essential Wildcard - manages domain and subdomains under the same SSL
    • Comodo Instant - Full encryption, issued instantly and at a great low price

Rent A Server Services
  • Are your current servers old, unreliable and need to be replaced; or are you growing so fast that you now need your own servers, but don't want to incur the cost and administration.
  • Instead of purchasing and maintaining your own servers, try our Rent a Server services out instead.
  • Only pay for what you need with our VMware virtualized server.
  • Benefit from the lower cost of capital and administration as well as:
  • Environmentally healthy choice.
  • No capital cost of Hardware.
  • No need for hardware administration.
  • Equipment and Disaster recovery.
  • The Virtualized VMware easily expands to meet your growing needs.
  • Full control of your server.
  • www.rentaserver.ca
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