FAQ

Registrars authorized to access the SRS must specify the following:

• A maximum of five (5) subnets
• A maximum of 64 static IP addresses shared between the five (5) subnets
• Subnets must be listed in Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) format specifying the network address and the number of bits used for the subnet mask, for example 192.168.1.0/27
• Subnets must not cross bit boundaries (see table below for bit boundary examples)

– A registry is a central database that manages domain names under a specific extension (e.g., .ME Registry for .ME domains).

– A registrar is a company authorized to sell and manage domain registrations on behalf of the registry (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, and others).

For example, Domain.ME is the registry for .ME domains, but you register your domain through an accredited registrar.

📌 See the list of .ME accredited registrars here.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is structured into different levels:

Top-Level Domains (TLDs) – The highest level in the domain hierarchy, including:

Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): Two-letter domain extensions assigned to countries or regions (e.g., .me for Montenegro, .de for Germany, .cn for China).
Generic TLDs (gTLDs): Common domain extensions not tied to a specific country (e.g., .com, .net, .org).
Internationalized Domain Names (IDN ccTLDs): Country-specific domains using non-Latin scripts like Chinese, Arabic, or Cyrillic.

Domain Levels:

First-Level Domains – The TLD itself (e.g., .me).
Second-Level Domains – The name chosen by the registrant (e.g., yourname.me).
Third-Level Domains and Beyond – Additional layers within a domain (e.g., blog.yourname.me).

Domain Name Life Cycle:
A typical gTLD follows a structured life cycle:

If you do not renew the domain name it will expire and eventually get back to the pool of available domains. For instance, after a .ME domain expires it is automatically auto-renewed (provided that the sponsoring registrar allows for auto-renew period) and the domain holder can continue to use it after paying a renewal fee. If the holder does not renew it, the subject .ME domain will be deleted and it will enter a 30-day redemption grace period. During this period the domain holder may redeem the domain but for a higher price (prices are set by the sponsoring registrar). If the subject .ME domain is not redeemed it will enter a 5-day redemption grace period when no changes could be made to the domain. After the redemption grace period a .ME domain becomes available for registration.

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the full web address that points to a specific resource (such as a webpage, image, or video) on the internet. A domain name is just one part of a URL.

For example:
URL: https://domain.me/blog/
Domain Name: domain.me

A URL consists of multiple components:

Protocol (https://) – Defines how data is transferred (HTTP or HTTPS, with “S” indicating a secure connection).
Domain Name (domain.me) – The core address of the website.
Path (/blog/) – Specifies a particular page or resource.

Using HTTPS ensures encryption and security, especially for sites handling sensitive user data.

🔗 Find out more about domain names and how they work.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a set of techniques implemented with the goal to achieve better ranking in the search results page in order to maximize the number of website visitors. Before choosing the perfect domain name, you need to understand keywords in domains: According to our research, personalized domain names are gaining momentum: 72% of those surveyed stated they find it very important for professional success. If you can manage to incorporate keywords along with your brand – that’s great. But don’t insist on keywords at the expense of your brand: it’s simply not worth it. If you want to boost your ranking in the search results page, learning about SEO is a must. You can find everything you need to know in our free eBook “The Secrets of Better Rankings: SEO and Domains”.

No, a domain name is simply an address that directs to your website. However, many registrars offer website builders, hosting, and other services when you register a domain, helping you set up your site.

– Keep it short and simple: While length doesn’t directly affect SEO, a short and memorable name is easier to type and remember. Aim for 15 characters or less.
– Avoid hyphens: Hyphens can make your domain appear spammy and harder to recall. Stick to one or none.
– Don’t use numbers: Numbers can be confusing, especially when spoken aloud. Stick to letters to keep things clear.
– Do a radio test: If your domain were announced on the radio, would listeners know exactly how to spell it? Avoid similar-sounding words or confusing symbols.

For more tips, check out this guide.

A domain name can be up to 63 characters, excluding the dot and extension. For example, me.me is a five-character domain, though some might call it a two-character domain. The maximum length for a full URL is 253 characters.

A domain name that is not an IDN (internationalized domains) can only have ASCII alphanumeric characters and hyphens. All other characters are not accepted. Both ASCII and IDNs are supported by .ME. For more information, check here.

A .ME domain is perfect for personal websites, online resumes, blogs, portfolios, or even a family email address – helping you make a mark online! But .ME isn’t just for individuals; many startups and businesses also use it to create a memorable online presence. Big brands like Meta, PayPal and Vogue trust .ME. Learn more about using .ME for personal branding or business here.

Just as houses have addresses, websites have domains. A domain name is the unique address people use to visit your website (e.g., domain.me). It connects to your site’s IP address, making it easy for users to find you online.

For example, the domain name of this website is “domain.me,” and Apple’s domain is “apple.com.” A domain consists of two parts:

• Second-Level Domain (SLD): The name of your website (e.g., “domain” or “apple”).
• Top-Level Domain (TLD): Everything after the dot (e.g., .ME).

Together, they form your complete domain name, like “domain.me.” Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog post.

Every device connected to the Internet has a unique numerical address called an Internet Protocol (IP) address. When you enter a domain name in your browser, it is translated into an IP address using the Domain Name System (DNS) to establish a connection.

A single IP address can be associated with multiple domains and subdomains. This is possible through an authoritative DNS server, which maps multiple domain names to the same IP address. Once configured, all requests for those domains will resolve to the same destination.

A subdirectory (or subfolder) is part of the main domain’s URL structure, while a subdomain is a separate section of the domain.

– Subdirectory: domain.me/blog (where blog is a folder within domain.me).
– Subdomain: blog.domain.me (where blog functions as a separate section of the site).

There is ongoing debate in SEO about which structure is better, as both have pros and cons.

Learn more about subdomains and subdirectories here.

While a subdomain is part of a main website, search engines treat it as a separate entity. Many businesses and individuals use subdomains for various organizational purposes, including:

1. Creating region-specific or language-specific websites – Instead of maintaining a complex multilingual website, separate subdomains can serve different markets (e.g., fr.yoursite.me for French content).
2. Separating a blog or e-commerce store from the main website – This is useful when using a different CMS, requiring a distinct design, or when the content significantly differs from the primary site (e.g., shop.yoursite.me or blog.yoursite.me).
3. Creating a dedicated mobile site – Instead of using responsive design, some businesses opt for an adaptive approach where a subdomain (e.g., m.yoursite.me) delivers a customized experience for mobile users.
4. Managing a large number of user-generated profiles – If you allow users to create custom subdomains (e.g., username.yoursite.me), be aware that if one subdomain is flagged for phishing, the entire root domain and other subdomains may also be affected.

For more on subdomains, read our What Are Subdomains and How Do They Affect Search Engine Optimization blog post.

A subdomain is a part of a larger (root) domain. For example, in blog.yourwebsite.me:

– .ME is the top-level domain (TLD).
– yourwebsite.me is the second-level domain (SLD).
– blog.yourwebsite.me is a third-level domain, also called a subdomain.

Subdomains are often used to organize content, separate a blog or store from the main site, or create user profiles. While they remain part of the main website, search engines treat them as distinct entities.

Learn more about subdomains here.

The easiest way to explain this is with an example: lea.verou.me.

– First-level domain (TLD): .ME – the domain extension.
– Second-level domain (SLD): verou – the main part of the domain.
– Third-level domain (subdomain): lea – a subdivision of the second-level domain.

For instance, if Lea registered verou.me, she could create subdomains like hersister.verou.me, which would be a different third-level domain than lea.verou.me.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our guide: What Are Domain Names and How Do They Work.

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique series of numbers assigned to every device connected to the Internet, allowing them to communicate. When you enter a domain name into your browser, it must be translated into an IP address by the Domain Name System (DNS) to establish a connection.

A single IP address can be associated with multiple domains and subdomains. This is managed through an authoritative DNS server, which directs all associated names to the same IP address for resolution.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a network of servers that translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites easily. Think of it as the internet’s phone book – each device connected to the internet has a unique numerical IP address, but thanks to DNS, you don’t need to remember long strings of numbers. Instead of typing 50.63.201.97, you can simply enter domain.me in your browser.

Want to learn more? Check out our guide: What Are Domain Names and How Do They Work.

The domain name industry is built on four key pillars:

• Registries – Companies that manage domain databases, such as .ME Registry for .ME domains, Verisign for .COM and .NET, or PIR for .ORG.
• Registrars – Companies that work with end customers and resellers to provide domain registration services, like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Dynadot.
• Resellers – Businesses that resell domains from registrars to end customers.
• Registrants – The end customers, whether individuals or businesses, who register domain names.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the global organization responsible for overseeing agreements between registries and registrars. It ensures the stability and security of the domain name system by managing the complex network of unique identifiers that allow computers on the Internet to find one another. Learn more at ICANN.

A .ME domain is the official top-level domain (TLD) for Montenegro, a country in Southeast Europe. However, due to its universal meaning, .ME has become a global favorite for personal and professional use. It’s ideal for creating personal websites, like Alonso.ME, or adding a personalized touch to services, such as PayPal.ME.

You can register a .ME domain through any of the more than 330 accredited registrars. Explore your options here.

How do I choose the right registrar for my domain?

Choosing a registrar is a personal decision based on your needs. .ME domains can be registered through more than 330 accredited registrars. Here are key factors to consider:

1) Contract & Pricing:

Check the registration period (usually 1+ years) and renewal costs.
Look for any hidden fees.

2) Privacy & Security:

Verify if the registrar offers WHOIS privacy protection to keep your personal details private and check the registrar’s security policies.

3) Domain Transfers:

Some registrars charge transfer fees or impose restrictions. Ensure flexibility if you want to switch registrars later.

4) Additional Services:

Some registrars offer hosting, SSL certificates, email services, and website builders – consider whether you need these extras.

5) Customer Support:

A responsive support team is crucial if you face downtime or other issues with your domain.

Browse .ME accredited registrars to find the right fit.

Domain status codes are easy readable pieces of information that indicate the exact state of your domain. It’s like a domain health diagnoses: they help you figure out if something’s wrong or if there are some safety issues you should worry about (e.g. whether or not your domain is protected from unauthorized transfers or updates). They also inform you about any pending actions that need to be resolved, about possible reasons your domain stopped working, your domain’s expiration date, etc. Pretty cool actually – kind of like your domain’s personal ID you’re responsible for. For more details visit: “Domain Name Status Codes Explained”.

Domain names are leased, not owned outright. Your annual registration fee is similar to a subscription – it keeps your domain active and ensures no one else can claim it. If you don’t renew, your domain may become available for others to register.

If the domain you want is already taken, you can try reaching out to the current owner (if contact details are available) and inquire about registering the domain. Otherwise, your options are limited to waiting for the owner to potentially let the domain expire and become available again.

There are a number of services that offer domain value. However, the domain’s worth is a very subjective category, and it only depends on what the owner offers and a buyer wants to pay.

WHOIS is a query and response protocol that is used for querying databases that store the registered users or assignees of a domain name.

Yes, unless you use a WHOIS privacy protection or proxy service from your registrar. Without privacy protection, your registrant organization and associtated data may be publicly visible in WHOIS records.

Root servers are the authoritative name servers that serve the DNS root zone. There is a network of hundreds of root servers around the world. The root servers contain the information that makes up the root zone, which is the global list of top level domains.

The root zone contains:

• generic top level domains – such as .com, .net, and .org
• country code top level domains – two-letter codes for each country, such as .ME for Montenegro or .NO for Norway
• internationalized top level domains – generally equivalents of country code top level domain names written in the countries’ local character sets.

For each of those top level domains, the root zone contains the numeric addresses of name servers which serve the top level domain’s contents, and the root servers respond with these addresses when asked about a top level domain.

If you have cPanel, and are using it for DNS you just need to follow these instructions:

• Log in your cPanel account (yourdomain.me/cPanel is the most often link)
• Click on the Zone Editor icon that appears under the Domain heading
• Click on the + A record link to add an A record (The same applies for CNAME and MX, for more records click on the Manage Button)
• Type in the domain name you wish to the name field, and the IP address to the Address field. (The process is similar for other records).

An authorization code, also known as an EPP code, is a unique identifier required to transfer your domain from one registrar to another. You can obtain this code from your current registrar, usually through your account settings or by contacting their support team.

To register a domain name, you need to use a domain registrar or a reseller that offers .ME. There are over 330 registrars and thousands of resellers for .ME. First, check if the domain you want is available by visiting domain.me. If it’s available, you can proceed with the registration.

.ME Premium names are highly valuable, memorable domains, often consisting of popular keywords or phrases that create strong marketing potential. These domains are valuable because of their ability to drive action and are ideal for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. Examples include domains like About.ME, Return.ME, or Join.ME.

.ME Premium domain names stand out due to their meaningfulness and memorability, making them highly valuable. Just like location determines the price of real estate, the value of these domains is influenced by their appeal, length, and ability to create an immediate impact. Regular .ME domains may be more general or longer, while premium ones are shorter, catchier, and more impactful for marketing.

.ME Premium domain program is designed to match attractive .ME domains, which have been reserved by the .ME Registry with the most preomising projects, services and websites.

You may register a .ME premium domain with any .ME accreidted registrars that supports .ME premium domain registrations. To download the list of .ME premium domains please visit this page.

Many leading global brands and innovative startups use .ME premium domains. Some well-known companies that have acquired these domains include: Google, WordPress, Meta, Lime

However, .ME premium domains aren’t just for big corporations. For example, About.ME and HeyLink.ME were just startups when they secured their premium .ME domain.

Pricing a premium domain isn’t an exact science, but key factors include: domain age, domain authority, domain hack potential, existing valuations of the same/similar domains, previous offers and, most importantly, valuations from reputable domain auction platforms.

Each .ME premium domain is unique, and pricing reflects its brandability, market demand, and overall value.

.ME accepts applications from small and big companies, established enterprises and startups. You can find the allocation criteria here.

Still, the easiest way to register your premium domain is with a .ME accredited registrar.

When you type in the domain name of the website you want to visit, it has to be translated into a number by a specific system. So, in order for the connection to get established – these names have to be translated to numeric equivalent, i.e. IP addresses. The system that makes this happen is called Domain Name System (DNS). It is also known as the phone book of the Internet as it tells computers the exact location of the websites and shows them where to send request and retrieve information.

In July 2008, the CERT Coordination Center announced that a fundamental flaw was found in the Domain Name System (DNS) protocol. A solution to this flaw has been proposed – DNSSEC. This was a way to bring cryptographic assurance to results provided by DNS. DNSSEC is a technology developed to protect against these malicious attacks by digitally signing data so users are sure it is valid. DNSSEC protects the internet community using a public key cryptography for digitally signing authoritative zone data and validating its destination. It means that response from root name server on question where .ME name server is includes a signature key from the .ME name server.

WHOIS privacy is a protection service offered by most domain name registrars and third-party providers.

File transfer protocols are used for transferring files between a server and a client on a computer network. The diversity of today’s numerous networks implies a usage of many different complex protocols because there cannot be only one universal set of rules via which we control and handle all data transferring.

Today, the FTP is mostly used for downloading which actually means transferring a certain file from one computer to another. In most cases, you won’t even know the exact location of the computer you’re receiving files from. The computer designed for receiving the FTP connection is called an FTP site (or FTP server). It is like a huge library of files and an authorized person has the power to organize them according to their preferences, keep them locked (i.e. demands a User ID and Password) or open to the public (i.e. typing your email as username to get access).

With FTP programs (e.g. WS_FTP), you can do several things, such as:

• Publish a website
• Upload and download media
• Add images to online auctions

If you want to learn more about File Transfer Protocols, check out this blog post.

SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to a website. When installed on a web server, it activates the padlock and the https protocol and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser.

There are a couple of types of SSL certificates. Those are:

• Single Domain – can only secure one domain;
• Multi Domain – can secure multiple domains and it’s a bit more technical;
• Wildcard – can secure virtually all subdomains of a given domain.

Price for an SSL certificate is in the range of 40$ to over a 1000$ depending on the type of the certificate and many other factors. For most sites and blogs cheaper ones are the way to go. And with Let’s Encrypt there is a free alternative. On shared hosting environments Let’s Encrypt support may be sketchy, but it is worth asking your hosting provider if they support this or you can check this list of providers that guarantee Let’s Encrypt support. And if you have cPanel and the AutoSSL plugin installed, you may install Let’s Encrypt certificate there.

Of course, you can still opt in for one of the traditional certificate authorities, depending on your preferences. There are some advantages to them, like: better support, longer certificate duration, etc.

Registrars are responsible for obtaining an SSL toolkit that is compatible with the development language and platform of their client system. The minimum requirement is that it must support SSL version 3.

For C, C++ or Perl Environments:

• OpenSSL is the optimal open source SSL solution.

For Java Environments:

• Sun’s Java Secure Socket Extension;
• SSLava from Phaos Technology.

SSLava is also the toolkit used in the development of the SRS.

Unfortunately, that is not possible.

Cybersquatting is an act of registering or using a domain name with the malicious intentions of profiting from the goodwill of someone else’s trademark. Most commonly, it is a practice of registering domain names that use the names of existing renowned businesses and cashing in on somebody else’s success. If you are a cybersquatting victim, you have two options: For U.S. citizens: there is a federal law known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) that enables you to file a lawsuit.

For non-U.S. citizens: You can use the international arbitration system of ICANN. This procedure is typically shorter and you won’t be needing an attorney. For more details visit: “Ultimate Guide to Domain Safety”.

Domain hijacking or domain theft is a cyber crime that implies the unauthorized change of the registration of a certain domain name, with the intention of using it for abusive actions. The dreadful truth is this: all an attacker needs in order to gain full control of your domain is your account and a password. With various techniques (e.g. phishing, social engineering), one can get a hold of your domain account and use it for spam actions, malware distribution, money stealing (e.g. if it’s e-commerce we’re talking about), and of course – to make any desired changes. Usually, the attacker performs an identity theft and impersonates the real domain holder in order to convince the registrar to change authority settings, i.e. status codes. However, there are some ways you can prevent domain theft. Read this blog post to find out more.

Domain spoofing (a type of domain hijacking) redirects users to a potentially malicious website. For example a third-party domain name is sent in an e-mail message in order to pretend to be someone else. It is used the most in advertising where unscrupulous publishers, ad networks or exchanges obscure the nature of their traffic to resemble legitimate websites.

Cybersquatting is an act of registering or using a domain name with the malicious intentions of profiting from the goodwill of someone else’s trademark. Most commonly, it is a practice of registering domain names that use the names of existing renowned businesses and cashing in on somebody else’s success.

If you are a cybersquatting victim, you have two options:

1. For U.S. citizens: there is a federal law known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) that enables you to file a lawsuit.
2. For non-U.S. citizens: You can use the international arbitration system of ICANN. This procedure is typically shorter and you won’t be needing an attorney.

Some of the advisable practices to prevent cybersquatting include:

• Officially registering your trademark
• Registering a domain under your own name (i.e. you are the official domain holder)
• Registering different domain extensions under the same name (e.g. .me, .com, .net)

Domain hijacking or domain theft is a cyber crime that implies the unauthorized change of the registration of a certain domain name, with the intention of using it for abusive actions. Here’s how you can prevent domain theft:

• Protect your e-mail account: Ensure your password is of solid strength, and you may even want to change it once in awhile.
• Check security protection options before registering your domain (e.g. call-back authentication, placing various domain locks).
• Keep your eyes on your traffic: If you notice any highly suspicious traffic, reach out to your registrar to see what’s up.

A good protective strategy is to keep your domain status code locked: it gives you full control and it is the basic security measure everyone should follow. For more details on protecting your domain name from cybersquatting and hijacking, check out our “Ultimate Guide to Domain Safety” blog post.

Rebranding or shifting to another domain can be an exciting new opportunity for your company, but this process can be quite a pain in the neck if you don’t have a detailed plan. Here are some of the pros and cons of rebranding.

Pros:

• Improving your brand position;
• Increasing brand recognition;
• New hires and layoffs;
• Attracting new customers;
• Increasing engagement;
• Better visuals & desing;
• Setting up new goals;
• More percieved brand value;
• A huge learning process.

Cons:

• Possibility of loosing a number of loyal customers;
• Confused employees;
• Complicated domain migration process;
• Possibility of higher expenses;
• Uncertainty; Resources;
• Possibility of loosing brand awareness;
• Search ranking.

We at .ME support companies that have decided to rebrand, because sometimes it is the best thing you can do to “refresh” your brand and get things moving. For detailed rebranding guide, check out: “How to Make Rebranding Less of a Hustle with a Domain Migration Plan” and “The Art of Reinvention: Branding for Progress” blog posts.

Changing your domain can temporarily affect your SEO and traffic. However, if you properly manage the transition, you can minimize the impact and recover lost rankings quickly.

Steps to a Smooth Domain Transition:
1) Choose the right domain – Ensure it aligns with your brand goals.
2) Set up 301 redirects – Redirect old URLs to new ones to retain SEO value.
3) Fix internal & external links – Update all links pointing to your site.
4) Update your sitemap – Help search engines index your new domain.
5) Monitor the transition – Track changes in traffic and rankings.
6) Let Google know you have moved.

Following these steps ensures a smooth transition with minimal impact.

For a detailed guide, check out:
👉 Step-by-Step Domain Migration Guide

Before you start moving to another domain, you need to set a 301 redirect which means a domain has permanently moved to a new location. It is important for a smooth transition and helps you avoid the dreadful 404 page not found: it directs both your website visitors and search engines to your new domain. The 301 redirect ensures up to 99% of your ranking power gets transferred to a new address and it’s easy to set since it implies only a few lines of code. Just like when you’re moving to a new home and you decide to simultaneously get rid of the stuff you don’t have much use of, in means of domain migration – check if there are some bad links from spammy websites pointing to your domain and get rid of them. So, here’s what you should do:

• Crawl your site and get a list of all internal pages and redirects;
• Look for crawl errors (use Google Webmaster Tools);
• See what’s your most linked content (again, with Google Webmaster);
• Check the number of your indexed pages;
• Check the list of external links.

Get your Sitemap in order. A sitemap is a file that tells Google and other search engines about the organization of your site’s content (typically in hierarchical manner), making it easier for them to crawl through it. Not all websites have a sitemap but when you plan a domain migration – you need one for a smooth transition. However, there are other benefits of having a sitemap:

• It increases the chances of more of your content getting indexed by Google (especially if your website is huge, sitemaps help Google figure out its way through your pages);
• If your internal links aren’t the strongest, listing them in your sitemap will help.

Sitemaps provide a good source of additional information for Google (but keep in mind it’s not a guarantee all of your content will get crawled, nor being indexed) If you want to learn more about keeping your traffic after migration visit: “Step by Step Domain Migration Guide”.

Yes, changing your name servers can affect your email accounts. Name servers store records for various services, including A records for your website, MX records for email, and others. When you switch name servers, you need to ensure that the proper records, like MX records for email, are transferred correctly. Some registrars offer automated migration, but it’s best to check with your registrar to ensure everything is set up properly.

Most hosting providers offer an easy way to set up a domain redirect directly from the control panel. You typically just need to enter the new domain name in a designated field within the old domain’s control panel. If you can’t locate this option, you should reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.

Branded short links make your URLs look professional and trustworthy by using a custom domain instead of generic shorteners. This is great for personal branding because your audience immediately recognizes the source of the link.

Here’s how you can set up a branded short domain with Owly, Bitly and Rebrandly:

1. Choose and Register Your Domain Name – To create branded short links, you first need a custom domain (e.g., yourdomain.me). With Owly, Bitly and Rebrandly, instead of appearing like this: bit.ly/awesome-post, your links will appear as: yourdomain.me/awesome-post.
2. Set Up Your Branded Short Domain in Bitly – Sign up or log into your Owly, Bitly or Rebrandly account, go to Settings > Custom Domains, and follow the steps to add your domain. Owly, Bitly and Rebrandly will provide specific DNS settings that you’ll need to configure with your domain registrar.
3. Verify Your Domain – DNS updates can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. Once completed, you will be ready to create branded links with your own custom domain!

For the latest instructions and setup details, refer to Bitly’s official guide: Bitly Branded Short Domains Setup.

Having a personal website is not only a preemptive measure but can also get you benefits and there are many. 50% of personal website owners reported that they got a new job offer and more than half reported that they have attracted new customers as a result of having a personal website.

Personal websites can also help you get recognized as a competent professional in your industry (53%) and gain access to network of likeminded individuals (52%). To make your life much easier, there are many free and affordable services that make your personal website just few clicks and couple of seconds away. Let us introduce you some of them:

• About.me
• wix.com

Find out more here.

There are many FREE services that make your personal website just few clicks and couple of seconds away. Some of them are:

• about.me – If all you need is a simple landing page;
• wix.com offers everything you need to create a stunning website.

Discover even more free services for making your personal website here.

Any company can become a .ME accredited registrar in three simple steps:

1. Complete the onboarding form.
2. Pass the OT&E test and sign the RRA.
3. Start registering .ME domains.

To learn more, please visit here.

.ME registrars are not required to pay ANY accreditation or maintenance fees. Regsitrars’ accounts are credited via wire transfer and when a registrar’s account credit drops below their set threshold, the Registry will automatically send an email alert to the designated contact. Please refer to the Credit and Payment Policies document provided by the .ME Registry for complete information on payments and funding.

Whois servers usually accept connections on port 43, which means that your whois client should be able to transmit and receive data using this port. However, if you’re behind a proxy or firewall, it is possible that whois lookups may not work. If that’s the case, you can ask your system administratior to open up port 43. TCP port 43 uses the Transmission Control Protocol, which is one of the main protocols in TCP/IP networks. IP protocol deals with packets only and TCP enables hosts to establish a connection and exchange streams of data. Transmission Control Protocol guarantees both delivery of data and delivery of packets on port 43 in the same order in which they were sent. The port 43 Whois-Server can be located at “http://whois.identitydigital.services/”.

The .ME registry uses the UTC time for WHOIS and generally all data/displays. UTC stands for Universal Time Coordinated, which is essentially the same as GMT since both use the time in Greenwich, England as the base reference point.

For more information on UTC, please reference the World Clock website.

In the Web administrative tool, dates are formatted YYYY-MM-DD.

Access to the Shared Registry System is restricted by 3 mechanisms:

• Access control to the production SRS is restricted by IP address filters.
• SSL encryption is required for the communication channels between the Registrar`s client system and the OT&E and production systems.
• Authentication by means of a username and password is required for session establishment.

The SRS requires the correct combination of the above three mechanisms before a registrar is granted access.

.ME is owned by the country of Montenegro, but the domain is managed by .ME Registry, aka domain.me, a private company which signed an agreement with the Montenegrin Government in 2007.

Domain.me is a registry of all .ME domains. The company manages the .ME domain registration around the world.

Montenegro gained its ISO code “ME” and the corresponding internet domain extension .ME after becoming an independent country in 2006.

Domain.me won the request for proposal (RFP) published in 2007 by the Montenegrin government, and has been operating the .ME ccTLD eversince.

The .ME WHOIS is a tool used to look up records in the .ME registry database. This database is a comprehensive, centralized database of all the .ME domain names that have been registered worldwide. You can access .ME WHOIS on this site. Advanced users can also access the port 43 WHOIS server at: http://whois.identitydigital.services/. Each record within the database has the domain name’s ID (a domain’s assigned unique identifier), at least one contact name for the domain, a record type, and additional information about the domain.

• To search for a .ME domain name, simply type in the domain name you wish to look up.
• The entered domain must be a second-level domain, for example, “example.me,” since the WHOIS database does not contain third-level domains like “another.example.me.”
• Do not enter the beginning of the domain URL, such as http://www.
• If the domain you are searching for is not contained in the .ME WHOIS database, it is likely available for registration.

To register an available .ME domain, please contact a .ME authorized registrar.

Please be advised that searches are not case-sensitive. Additionally, ASCII alphanumeric characters, hyphens and supported IDN characters are accepted in the lookup of a .ME domain. All other characters are not accepted.

The simplest forms of WHOIS queries are exact matches. When only a portion of information is queried, operators are used to control the performance of the search and the results returned. For instance if the query type is: “Exact match” only results that mathc the specific string that has been input will be returned. The type of objects in the search can be restricted using the keywords “Nameservers”, which returns only name server objects, and “Registrar” which returns only registrar objects. The default behavior of WHOIS is to return full details for a single result, whereas multiple records returned for a query would return summary information.

Domain Status: Normal operating domains have a status of “OK”. Domains with other status values are typically domains with pending operations or have restrictions regarding the domain.

OK: This is the nominal status value for a domain object at all times, whether or not the domain has pending operations or prohibitions.

autoRenewPeriod: The domain name expired and is extended (renewed) automatically by the registry. If the registrar deletes the domain name during this period it receives back the renewal credit.

pendingTransfer: A transfer request has been received for the domain, and completion of the request is pending. The domain cannot be renewed, deleted or updated while in this state.

pendingDelete: A delete request has been received from the registrar for the domain. The domain has been removed from the zone, but has not yet been purged from the registry database. The domain cannot be renewed, deleted, transferred or updated while in this state.

pendingDeleteRestorable: The domain has been removed from the zone, but has not yet been purged from the registry database. The domain cannot be renewed, transferred or updated while in this state BUT it can be restored.

clientDeleteProhibited: The domain cannot be deleted. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.

clientRenewProhibited: The domain cannot be renewed. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.

clientUpdateProhibited: The domain cannot be updated. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.

clientTransferProhibited: The domain cannot be transferred. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.

clientHold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.

serverHold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. This status is placed on the domain by the registry.

ID: Each database record has a single field (its `ID`) that uniquely identifies it. There is an ID associated with each `object` in the registry. An object can be a domain, host or contact. Persons with multiple domains will also have multiple domain IDs, though they may have either one or possibly many contact IDs depending on how the registrar system created the registry information.

Sponsoring Registrar: A registrar that administers a domain name on behalf of the registrant is a Sponsoring Registrar. In the case where a reseller of a registrar registers a domain name, only the registrar will appear in the Sponsoring Registrar field.

WHOIS terms & conditions

Access to .ME WHOIS information is provided to assist persons in determining the contents of a domain name registration record in the .ME registry database. The data in this record is provided by .ME Registry for informational purposes only, and .ME Registry does not guarantee its accuracy. This service is intended only for query-based access. You agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that, under no circumstances, will you use this data to:

1. allow, enable or otherwise support the transmission by e-mail, telephone, facsimile, or other electronic processes of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations to entities other than the data recipient’s own existing customers; or
2. enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that send queries or data to the systems of Registry Operator, except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or modify existing registrations.

All rights reserved.
.ME Registry reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

The .ME Registry`s WHOIS service is constantly being monitored for abusive practices like data mining. And as a result, on September 24, 2007, the .ME Registry took substantive action against users who had abnormally high or abusive usage of the public WHOIS service.

The Registry stays vigilant against WHOIS abuse, by constantly upgrading our detection methods, as well as, improving operational practices to ensure security and protection of the public WHOIS service (web and Port 43). The .ME Registry retains the right to apply WHOIS abuse measures on a real-time basis, which may affect users for short periods of time. System messages will be available when the WHOIS is down for upgrading. Importantly, accredited .ME registrars will not be affected and will continue to have access to domain, host and contact information via EPP and their authorized credentials.