Support article
Domain Pricing: How Much Does It Cost to Register a Domain?
We've all been there: you grab a domain at a bargain price, and the next year's renewal takes you by surprise. Registering a domain is the first step to going online.
It’s happened to all of us: you spot a domain at a laughably low price, and the following year the renewal catches you off guard. Registering a domain is the first step to having a presence on the internet, but it’s important to understand that it’s not a one-time “purchase” — it’s a rental that requires ongoing maintenance. 🏠
What determines the price? 🧐
The cost of a domain isn’t arbitrary; it depends mainly on the extension (the part after the dot, such as .com, .es, or .store). Here’s why they vary:
- Global domains (.com, .net, .org): These are the most common. Their price is usually stable, though it depends on the exchange rate of the US dollar, since the organizations that regulate them operate in that currency.
- Country-code domains (.es, .mx, .co): These are tied to specific countries. For example, .es is usually very affordable because its registry (Red.es) aims to encourage digital presence in Spain. 🇪🇸
- New extensions (.tech, .photography, .online): These are the most modern. Prices here are a roller coaster: you can find very aggressive introductory offers, but the renewal price is typically higher than that of a .com.
The difference between Registration and Renewal 🔄
This is the point that confuses users the most. It’s essential to pay attention to both prices:
- Registration price: This is what you pay today. We sometimes run special promotions so that launching your project costs very little. 🚀
- Renewal price: This is the annual cost to keep the domain active after the first year. This is the price you should keep in mind for your long-term budget.
- Transfer price: If you bring your domain to miHosting, you typically pay for one year of renewal, and we take care of adding it to your existing expiration date.
Hidden fees (Which don’t exist here) 🙅♂️
At miHosting, we like to keep things clear. Many registrars add the ICANN fee (around €0.18) at the very end of the checkout process. We prefer to show you the final price right from the start, so there are no surprises in your cart.
miHosting Pro-Tip: 💡
If you find the domain of your dreams available, register it for 2 or 5 years in one go. Not only do you make sure no one takes it if you happen to miss a renewal email, but you also protect yourself against possible international price increases from the governing registries.
So nothing slips by you:
- Always check the renewal price: A first-year discount is great, but make sure the standard price fits your budget. 💳
- WHOIS privacy: With many extensions, we protect your personal data at no extra cost, so your inbox doesn’t get flooded with spam.
- Don’t wait until the last day: If a domain expires, it enters a redemption period where recovering it can cost up to 10 times more than a standard renewal. Watch those dates! 📅