Every registered domain has a set of contact details attached to it: a name, email address, phone number, and postal address. This is called your WHOIS information, and it identifies who owns the domain. If any of these details are out of date, you can update them from your ZIPROF client area in a few minutes.
Why your WHOIS information matters
Your WHOIS contact details are used for more than just record-keeping. They matter because:
- Domain renewal and expiry notices are sent to the email address on file. If it's wrong or unreachable, you may miss a renewal reminder and lose the domain.
- Registries and registrars sometimes require you to verify your contact email. For most global domain extensions (.com, .net, .org, and others), an unverified or bounced verification email can lead to your domain being suspended until it's confirmed.
- Accurate ownership details are required if you ever want to transfer the domain away, prove ownership in a dispute, or update the registrant on record.
If you registered a .co.ke domain, note that Kenyan domains are managed under KENIC's registry rules. If you're not sure whether your .co.ke contact details need updating through a different process, contact ZIPROF support and they'll confirm the correct route for your specific domain.
How to update your WHOIS contact details
- Log in to your ZIPROF client area.
- Go to Domains, then My Domains.
- Click on the domain you want to update.
- Open the Contact Details (sometimes labelled Manage Contact Information) section.
- Update the fields that need changing: name, organization, email, phone number, or address.
- Click Save Changes.
If the domain uses WHOIS privacy protection, the public WHOIS record will still show the privacy service's placeholder details rather than your own. Your real information is stored with your registrar either way, and it's still what gets used for renewal notices and account verification, so keep it accurate even with privacy protection turned on.
What happens after you save
For most global domain extensions, changing the registrant name, organization, or email address triggers a verification email from the registry. You'll need to click the confirmation link in that email within the given window (usually 15 days), or the domain can be suspended until it's verified. Watch your inbox, including your spam folder, after making the change.
Updating your phone number or postal address alone typically doesn't trigger this verification step, only changes to the name, organization, or email address do.
Do this before you request a domain transfer or make any ownership-sensitive change. Registrars often lock changes to WHOIS contact details for a short period right after certain updates, so it's best to make sure your details are current well ahead of time.
If you use WHOIS privacy protection and want to understand how it affects what's publicly visible, see What Is Domain Privacy Protection (WHOIS Privacy) and Do You Need It?