Domain Names

A domain extension is the ending of a domain name, located after the last dot. The extension is often referred to as a TLD (top-level domain), a domain suffix or domain root.

There are a few different types of top-level domain extensions which include generic top-level domains (gTLD), sponsored top-level domains (sTLD) and country-code specific top-level domains (ccTLD). The different types of extensions have varying requirements, but a lot of these have been changed over recent years to allow companies to be more creative with branding and creating shorter names.

Websites normally have complex numerical IP addresses (eg. 192.168.0.1) - but the domain name system (DNS) allows you to enter a readable and memorable domain name to route you to the website you are looking for. This process is known as a DNS lookup.

Anyone can register a domain name, providing the name is available - but there are a few restrictions on some domain extensions. You should also take into account other people's copyright or trademarks when you register a new domain to ensure you are not infringing on anybody else's rights.

Some domain extensions are restricted, for example, .ltd.uk domain names can only be registered by a limited company and the domain name must be an exact match to the company name held at companies house. If you have any queries regarding specific TLD restrictions, please contact our sales team who will be happy to assist you.

We recommend that where possible, you purchase the .co.uk and .com versions of your company or business website to ensure that nobody else becomes a “domain squatter” on your name. Many companies purchase multiple domain names to help protect their brand or trademark and ensure their business name remains secure online.

It's easy to search the domain name database for an available domain. We provide a quick and easy domain name search which allows you to check for an available web address for your business or project. You can use our domain checker to buy an available domain name with no hidden charges.

This Black Friday, a .co.uk domain costs £1.00 for the first year (£8.99 for the 2-year term) and then renews at £7.99 a year. A .com costs £13.49 for the first year and renews at £14.99 a year.

Every extension shows its first-year and renewal price on our domain pricing page, and renewals are charged at those published prices with no hidden fees.

Yes. You can register a domain name on its own and add hosting later, or point it at a website hosted elsewhere. Owning the domain keeps your web address and email address yours, whichever host you use.

Your domain name is your website's address, the name people type to find you. Web hosting is the server space where your website's files are stored. You need both for a website: the domain points visitors to the hosting.

Our web hosting plans include a free .uk or .co.uk domain for the first year when you pay for a year, so you can set up both in one order.

A .co.uk domain is the long-established choice for UK businesses, and a .uk domain gives you a shorter address. If you trade internationally, a .com domain works anywhere.

Many businesses register more than one extension of the same name, so nobody else can register the other version.

Keep it short and memorable, so people can type it after hearing it once. Avoid hyphens and special characters, and check how the words read when they run together.

Match the domain to your brand name where you can, and consider registering common misspellings or a second extension such as .com, so nobody else can take them.