I Think ICANN - Tire Review Magazine

I Think ICANN

If you own the rights to a domain (i.e. yourwebaddress.com), you have likely received emails from your domain name hosting service (GoDaddy, Network Solutions, HostGator, etc.) regarding the non-profit organization known as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Whoa! That’s quite a name, so they’ve shortened it to ICANN.

Ever since the Internet was pioneered in the U.S., an organization needed to be created to dish out domain names and Wed addresses for the entire Internet. This allows computers to find the right servers to the websites for which people are looking. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Commerce contracted with ICANN to manage these things, and ICANN has been doing so ever since. So who cares? You must, and here’s why.

Required Verification

ICANN requires annual verification of who owns the rights to domain names. They require a particular person, known as the registrar, to have accurate contact information on record for that domain. Domain hosting services are required to seek this verification and routinely send out emails to the person listed as the registrar. One thing it will say is: “If all information is up-to-date, then no changes are necessary,” meaning you do not have to respond. So, if you’re like me, you’ve been ignoring these emails.   But you cannot do that anymore.

Disabled Website?

Last year, ICANN set new rules we all need to be aware of because missing these could bring your website and email down, which of course is never a good thing when you re trying to run a business.

If you have a .COM, .NET, .ORG, .BIZ or any other gTLD (generic top level domain) and enter new contact information in your account, transfer the rights of the domain to someone else or set up a new domain, you’ll receive an email from your domain hosting service saying you must click on a link they provide in their email to verify these changes. This must be done within 15 days or your website (and your email accounts associated with that domain, too) will temporarily go down until you click on the link. Don’t blame your website creator if this happens, it’s on whomever owns the rights to your domain. They’re the ones who would have received the email, and it’s up to them to click on the link to verify the changes that had been made.

IcanSuspensionNoticeWhat happens if the verification email is ignored, or you rarely check that email account or that email goes to your spam? Your website will be disabled and you’ll wonder why. Now you know that this does happen.

When you click on the link, it’s simple to do the verification, but your website and emails may still be disabled for another 24 to 48 hours as the verification is processed. The good news is that this issue can be fixed by the owner of the rights to the domain in relatively short order. The bad news is that your online lobby - your website - will be down for a bit and you could lose business.

Steps to Take

Here are some things you need to do right now:

  • Understand everything about your domain name. Who owns the rights to it? Do you? If you’re the business owner, you should own it unless you totally trust the person who does, and even then we’ve seen too many things happen when a disgruntled developer won’t release the domain to the owner of the business, or someone dies. Know what domain service the domain registered with. Who has the logins to get into it? See my article from the July 2014 issue of BodyShop Business about keeping your passwords safe.
  • Be vigilant about checking your email regularly for notices from your domain name service. Use the search feature to look for ICANN periodically in case you’ve missed something. Check your spam folder and search that, too, in case the email was filtered out as junk mail.
  • Beware of scams. Carefully read any emails related to ICANN and make sure they ‘re coming from your domain registration service. This verification is free, so do not pay anything for this. Do not give your credit card number out to any service indicating there is a fee to do this.
  • If you have recently changed registrars, be on the lookout for the verification email to come soon; it’s only a matter of time. Same thing for new domain names.

Remember, the annual verification emails almost always require no action, but you need to scan each email to make sure. You cannot afford to have your website and emails go down because of this.

Adapted from BodyShop Business

You May Also Like

Tire Industry Labor Shortage: Improve This to Keep Employees

I’ve spoken to many representatives from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who report that techs, counter people, drivers and even white-collar team members have walked off the job, failed to report, or given notice, and their businesses have been impacted by these departures. This isn’t just a tire industry issue—and goes beyond the tech shortage that

Tire Industry-Labor Shortage-Great-Resignation

I’ve spoken to many representatives from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who report that techs, counter people, drivers and even white-collar team members have walked off the job, failed to report, or given notice, and their businesses have been impacted by these departures. This isn’t just a tire industry issue—and goes beyond the tech shortage that has plagued the industry for decades.

Consider Software Solutions to Streamline Operations

Representatives from several software providers share how solutions drive efficiency and profitability, as well as what to look for when considering a system in your shop.

software-solutions-stock
How Data, Analytics Can Boost Profitability for Tire Retailers

By collecting and analyzing data about a dealer’s sales history, inventory levels and market demand, data and analytics platforms can analyze the performance of each dealer’s store and recommend actionable improvement opportunities.

How to Start the PPP Loan Payback Process

For many PPP loan recipients, it is time to start the repayment process—or file for PPP loan forgiveness. Read on to find out which portion of your loan may be forgivable and how to apply for forgiveness, as well as how to start the repayment process.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

Larry Sutton of RNR Tire Express shares seven different practices that have helped him create a positive work environment.

Other Posts

Yokohama to sponsor the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic Tailgate

The event, part of the Bassmaster Classic Expo, is March 21-24 in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma and Grand Lake.

Bass-stock-photo
Atturo launches ‘Atturo is the Answer’ TV commercial campaign

The campaign introduces the character Atturo Andy, a tire salesperson whose expertise in Atturo’s lineup makes him the go-to for tire advice.

ATTURO-ANDY
Turbo Wholesale Tires partners with LA Rams’s Kyren Williams

The All-Pro NFL running back will appear in promotional print and social media campaigns for Turbo Wholesale Tires.

turboCombo
Valvoline to feature Restore & Protect motor oil during Super Bowl pre-game commercial

The 30-second commercial about its new Restore & Protect motor oil will air during the pre-game show.

Valvoline-RestoreProtect-oil