The Domain Registration Chain
When you register a domain, you are entering a layered system managed by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Here is the actual chain:
ICANN sets global policies. Registries operate the top-level domains (Verisign runs .com, Public Interest Registry runs .org). Registrars (like Namecheap, which we use) are accredited companies authorized to sell domain registrations to the public. You are the registrant -- the legal owner.
What "Registered" Actually Means
Registering a domain creates a record in the TLD registry database associating your domain name with your registrar and contact information. It does not automatically make your website show up anywhere -- that requires DNS configuration pointing the domain to a server.
DNS: The Phone Book
After registration, DNS (Domain Name System) translates your domain name into an IP address browsers can connect to. Your domain's nameservers tell the world which DNS server is authoritative for your domain.
When you host with JIJ Web Solutions, we set your nameservers to ns1.jijweb.com and ns2.jijweb.com, which point to our server at 67.222.29.128. The DNS records in cPanel control exactly where each subdomain points.
WHOIS Privacy
By default, domain registrations expose your name, email, and address in public WHOIS records. We enable free WHOIS privacy on all registrations we handle through Namecheap. Your contact information is replaced with Namecheap's privacy service details.
Renewals Matter More Than Registration
The real risk in domain registration is not the initial purchase -- it is letting the domain expire. We send automated reminders at 30 days and 7 days before expiry, and you can renew directly from the client portal.