In the age of the Internet, a domain name is like your 'digital door number' - without it, people can't find your website. But are you curious: why does it cost money to register a domain name?
First, do I need to pay for a domain name?
Yes, you need to pay for a domain name.
Domain name is not free because it involves the following costs:
-Domain name resolution servers (DNS): to ensure that your website can be accessed globally.
-Domain Name Management System (DNS): maintains the mapping of domain names to IP addresses.
-Registry maintenance: ICANN and major registrars are required to operate the global domain name system.
-Manual services: technical support, customer service, security protection, etc..
Therefore, when registering a domain name, you need to pay the registration fee, and then you need to renew the domain name, otherwise the domain name will expire and be recalled.
Second, what determines the price of a domain name?
Domain name costs fluctuate depending on the suffix, registrar, and market demand:
Domain Type | Price Range (First Year) | Scenario
.com | $10 - $20 | Globally available, first choice for business
.cn | ¥30 - ¥80 |Chinese Domestic Enterprises
.io | $30 - $100 |Technology, startups
.ai | $50 - $300 | Artificial Intelligence, cutting edge technology
Premium domains (e.g. Short.com) | $1000+ | Brand Protection, Investment
Attention:
1. First year promotion: some registrars offer low price to attract users, but the renewal fee is more expensive (e.g. $1 first year, $20 renewal fee).
2. Premium domain names: short domain names and popular keywords may be reserved by the registry at a higher price.
Who is managing the domain name?ICANN's role
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is responsible for the coordination of the global domain name system, including:
IP address allocation (e.g. 192.168.1.1)
Top-level domain management (e.g. .com/.org/.net)
Root server maintenance (to ensure global DNS stability)
There are three major support organizations under it:
1. ASO (Address Support Organization): manages IP address allocation.
2. DNSO (Domain Name Support Organization): oversees the Domain Name System (DNS).
3. PSO (Protocol Support Organization): the development of Internet technology standards.
How to save money on domain name registration?
1. Select the preferential registrar (such as Namecheap, Aliyun often have discounts).
2. Register for many years: some domain names are cheaper to register for a long time (e.g., 20% off for 5 years for .com).
3. Concerned about deleted domain names: grab expired quality domain names (with the help of tools such as DropCatch).
V. Summarize
Domain name must be paid, the price depends on the suffix, registrar and market scarcity.
ICANN is the administrator of the global domain name system to ensure the stable operation of the network.
Suggestion: Prioritize .com/.cn and other mainstream suffixes, and compare registrar prices.
Domaincn.com Committed to providing fair and transparent reports. This article aims to provide accurate and timely information, but should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Due to the rapidly changing market conditions, we recommend that you verify the information yourself and consult a professional before making any decisions based on this information.