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HostGator Domain Registrars

This article will describe the different registrars HostGator uses and give you some tools and tips to help you quickly determine which was used for a domain.

HostGator Domain Registrars

HostGator currently uses multiple domain registrars.

LaunchPad is our in-house registrar and used by default for the most common domain names (including during signup).

eNom is a domain name registrar used by HostGator to handle registration and management for some domains, notably country-code top level domains (ccTLDs). It is important to remember that eNom also sells domains itself, independently of HostGator. Some HostGator customers may themselves sell eNom domains, in their capacity as domain resellers.

You will sometimes see the term "Hostgator/eNom" used to denote domains registered with eNom through us.

HostGator also recommends registration of new top level domains (nTLDs) via domain.com

Because HostGator uses multiple registrars, it is important to determine which registrar was used for a given domain.

Determining the Registrar For a Domain

Knowing which registrar was used for a domain is important for quick issue resolution. This article has useful advice on distinguishing between LaunchPad and eNom domains:

eNom Reseller Lookup

eNom's website has a tool available here to look up the eNom Reseller that owns a domain. This is helpful in finding the actual owner of any domain registered through Enom.

eNom Domains

eNom was previously HostGator's only registrar, and many long-time customers will have multiple Hostgator/eNom domains, including some using TLDs we would now register via Launchpad (see list below).

Note: A useful thing to remember is that any domain registered through HostGator with a TLD not found on the LaunchPad lists will definitely be handled by Hostgator/eNom.

We still use eNom for all domains NOT handled by Launchpad, including country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) like .jp and .co.uk.

Managing eNom Domains

Hostgator/eNom domains which are not ccTLDs can be managed via https://portal.hostgator.com/domain/manage

Note: An exception to the above is that private name servers for Hostgator/eNom domains require contacting Hostgator's Billing department via phone or Live Chat.

ccTLDs Hostgator/eNom domains must be managed via http://access.enom.com.

Registry Rocket was eNom's interface for HostGator-specific domain management. Although Hostgator/eNom domains can still be managed via this tool, it is not recommended.

If you see a customer referencing Registry Rocket or registryrocket.com (particularly if they are having issues managing domains through that tool) please direct them to http://hostgator.com/domains or http://access.enom.com/ as appropriate.

For a more complete list of domains which may be registered through HostGator, see:

LaunchPad Domains

LaunchPad is HostGator's own domain registrar. Domains ordered through hostgator.com/domains will be Launchpad domains, and any domains currently registered during the initial account set up of Shared and Reseller plans will be part of this system.

All LaunchPad domains are managed through http://hostgator.com/domains.

The only TLDs available for purchase through LaunchPad at present are:
  • .info
  • .org
  • .biz
  • .me
  • .net
  • .us
  • .co
  • .com
The following domains are transferable to LaunchPad through register.hostgator.com:
  • .info
  • .org
  • .biz
  • .net
  • .com

.co, .me and .us domains require you to contact us via phone or Live Chat for transfer to LaunchPad

Other domains purchased or transferred to HostGator accounts are handled through eNom.

More information about LaunchPad domains is available here:

nTLD Domains

New top-level domains (nTLDs) are now available for HostGator customers through Domain.com. nTLDs are more specific or descriptive than standard TLDs and include options like .coffee, .guru .events.

Hostgator customers may order nTLDs at http://www.domain.com/domains/hostgator/.

To find out more about nTLDs, please read our article here.