Before we dive deep into how much domain names cost or how much you can expect to spend on them, we want to make sure we provide a brief introduction to how domain registration works. There are several important things to note:
As mentioned before, how much domain names cost and how much you can expect to spend on them are two different, though related topics.
What you can expect to spend on a domain name is informed by who you acquire it from as well as who you renew it through. New and unregistered domain name prices are determined by registrars, whereas domains that are acquired from private registrants are negotiated between you and the registrant.
If you register a new domain name, one that’s not taken by someone else, then the price you pay to register and renew your domain every year is determined by your chosen registrar.
For new registrations and renewals of common TLDs such as .com and .net, most reputable registrars typically charge anywhere between $20 to $50 (USD) per year; however, there are other factors that can influence the price of a new registration. Registrars that also offer website and email services such as Network Solutions often bundle and sometimes even cover the cost of domain registration with the purchase of hosting services for building a website or setting up an email address. You should also look out for money-saving promotions.
An important consideration to weigh when comparing prices between registrars is that those offering cheap domain names may not offer as high a level of customer service or access to domain name management as those who charge more than the average price.
If you want to register a domain name that is already taken by someone else, then you can expect a very different experience that will likely cost you more than what it would cost to register a new domain name. This is assuming that the registrant is interested in selling it in the first place, because if they’re not, then you might not be able to acquire it.
If acquiring a domain name from a private registrant seems daunting, we encourage you to read this article detailing strategies for acquiring domain names on the domain aftermarket.
The principles of supply and demand are at the core of what drives domain costs up for both new registrations and those made on the domain aftermarket. Another important consideration is that while there are a huge number of possible domain names, there is still a limit. Combine this with the fact that a domain name can be registered to only one person, and you have the perfect recipe for competition.
When you consider whether domain registration is worth the cost, you also have to weigh what the cost of not registering domain names would be. The value of domain names is informed by the brands they represent, past, present and future. Domain names that are easy to remember, contain words that are commonly searched and ones that have been registered for a long time can generally fetch a good price.
The value of your domain name is more than its renewal cost. If you’re interested in learning what aftermarket domain names can cost, browse popular sights including Network Solutions, SnapNames and NameJet.
Want to learn how to choose the right domain name for your business? Here’s how.
Image: Shutterstock