You have secrets. That’s alright – we all have secrets.

Using an alias for certain websites and chat rooms is generally accepted, but does that mean you can use an alias to register a domain name? The internet is perfect for keeping yourself hidden, but keeping your real name hidden during the registration process, isn’t a smart idea.

We’re not trying to be “Debbie Downers,” or bring unwanted attention to your private life, but there are a few reasons why it’s necessary to register your domain using your accurate, legal information.

It all starts with the right domain. Get yours today at Domain.com.

Help the right internet servers find your website  

When you purchase a domain name, you’re purchasing it through a domain name registrar, like Domain.com, which is accredited by ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

As their website states, “To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer … That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination, we wouldn’t have one global Internet.”

ICANN is also “committed to implementing measures to maintain timely, unrestricted and public access to accurate and complete WHOIS information, subject to applicable laws.” Unlike ICANN, WHOIS is not an acronym, it’s a query protocol that searches independent registries and registrar databases to determine who owns a specific domain.

When you register a domain name, your personal information is made visible to all WHOIS queries unless you choose to use domain privacy. You, the registrant, are responsible for giving accurate and reliable contact details, and maintaining the accuracy of that information.

What happens if you’re forgetful? It’s a good thing we’ve got you covered. We’ll email you a reminder each year asking you to verify the accuracy of your information. Keeping your information current is an obligation, and part of every registrar’s Terms of Service agreement.

What happens if you give the wrong information anyways?

You may live life on the wild side, eschewing rules and regulations, but in this case, the stakes are too high. WHOIS states, “If you give wrong information on purpose, or don’t update your information promptly if there is a change, your domain name registration may be suspended or even cancelled.”

Could you imagine how terrible it would be to find your domain name gone? Your domain name is the address that leads people to your website, so without the right information,  you lose both traffic and revenue.

Help your customers find your business online

Once you lose your domain name it becomes available for others to purchase, and there’s no guarantee that you can ever get it back.

Let’s set the stage for a sinister scenario: You’re relaxing on the sofa watching a movie, resting after a busy day of work. You spent the day optimizing your website to show up higher on the search engine results page. This should bring more traffic to your website, and in turn, more revenue. During a commercial break you realize you forgot one little task, so you log in to manage your site. But something is amiss. Your precious domain name – that you matched perfectly to your business name — is gone. Your customers knew your domain name. They trusted it. What now?

If someone decides to run a WHOIS query on your domain name and finds that you’re using fake information, they can report you. Who could have done such a thing? Anyone. Once you’ve been reported you have a short window of time to update your information, or you can lose your domain name.

Maintain your privacy and still keep your domain name secure

Don’t lose your domain name because of an alias. Instead, you can have the best of both worlds, privacy and security, using domain privacy. With domain privacy you never have to worry about coworkers discovering you’re the genius behind a Backstreet Boys Adult Fan Club website. You can rest easy knowing you’re also secure against any inaccuracy complaints that could cost you your domain name. So register your domain name today using accurate information – your secrets are safe with us.

It all starts with the right domain. Get yours today at Domain.com.