a unified, consistent Whois API and Whois Parser System

how to make a webservice call to WhoisAPI?

http://www.whoisxmlapi.com/whoisserver/WhoisService?domainName=google.com&username=xxxxx&password=xxxxx

First time invocation will create a session and pass back a SESSIONID in the http header that you can use in the subsequent calls. If you are calling the url from a cookie based browser, session management is taken care of for you so you don't have to worry about anything. If you are calling the webservice from any other standalone app, you would have to maintain your session in one of the two ways: cookie or url rewriting. If you are lazy and want to be inefficient, you may pass the username and password in each call, however it's not recommended.

how to query for my account balance?

http://www.whoisxmlapi.com/accountServices.php?servicetype=accountbalance&username=xxxxx&password=xxxxx

Will you warn me if my account balance is low or zero?

Yes, you will receive a warning email when your account balance falls below a level(default to be 10 and customizable by you). You will receive another warning email when your account balance reaches 0. To set the warning level, go to http://www.whoisxmlapi.com/accountServices.php?servicetype=accountUpdate&username=xxxxx&password=xxxxx&warn_threshold=30
supported input parameters are:

• warn_threshold = the account balance at which a warning email will be sent to you
  value: a positive number
  default value: 10
• warn_threshold_enabled = indicate whether a warning letter should be sent to you when the account balance reaches warn_threshold
  positive values: 1, true, on
  negative values: 0, false, off
  default value: 1
• warn_empty_enabled = indicate whether a warning letter should be sent to you when the account balance reaches 0
  positive values: 1, true, on
  negative values: 0, false, off
  default value: 1

how do I maintain a session for faster query

You may maintain your session in one of the two ways: cookie or url rewriting. The server will return a header called SESSIONID in each response.

• url rewriting in the following format:
  URL;JSESSIONID=SESSIONID?domainName=DOMAINNAME
  For example: http://www.whoisxmlapi.com/whoisserver/WhoisService;jsessionid=
  24C8532A01B457156563388923AB6D91.server2?domainName=test.com
• use a cookie, this is likely your browser's way to communicate the session id to the server
  add a header "COOKIE" with value "JSESSIONID=SESSIONID", for example "JSESSIONID=24C8532A01B457156563388923AB6D91.server2".

Click here to download a simple example of client side session handling in java using Apache Http Component.

Can I use https?

Yes, simply use https instead of http, the connection would be more secure but slower.

Are there any TLDs that you don't support?

Yes, please check the list of TLDs that we dont' support.