Having a website and a domain name is essential for any business in today’s market, but if you are just starting out, you may be wondering how much does a domain name cost?
Whichever domain name provider you use, the initial costs are pretty similar, but you should always check the hidden costs such as renewal fees before you commit. Also check the cost of the .com. .co.uk and .org options and check to see if these are available.
Registering the name
The average cost of registering a new domain name is between £7 – £12. However, if you are wanting to buy a domain name which has previously been used, or is already owned by another company, then things can get a lot more expensive.
At the bottom end of the scale, if buying a new name, with website hosting, for example, from companies such as https://www.names.co.uk/web-hosting then competitive packages are available. However, at the top end of the market, names that are considered ‘premium’ can cost thousands and even millions of pounds.
Hidden fees
As well as registration and web hosting, when calculating the cost of your domain, you should also check the renewal charges. Many companies will set up auto renewals to save you having to remember which can be convenient, but some companies increase the yearly charge, so check the policy in advance.
Minimum term
Most domain names are bought for a 12 month period. If you are confident in your name and your business, some providers offer deals for up to 10 years, but always read the terms.
The world pandemic has seen online readership of digital media increase hugely, which is increasing the demand for domain names in this sector – https://pressgazette.co.uk/most-popular-business-news-websites-uk/.
Privacy
When buying a domain name, the registrar must provide contact details of the owner and this information is then available publicly. Since the data privacy laws came into use, it is now possible to request this information is kept hidden, but to do this may incur additional charges, so again, check first.
Transfer costs
Once you own the domain name, it is possible to switch providers. For example, to get a better deal. But many domain name providers will charge for this as well, so if you want the flexibility to do this in the future, check the provider’s policy before you accept the terms and conditions.
