Guide · Updated October 2026

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost? A Plain-English Guide

How much a domain name really costs: typical yearly prices for .com and country domains, renewal traps, premium names, privacy and how to avoid overpaying.

A domain name is your address on the internet: yourbusiness.com, yourbusiness.co.uk, yourbusiness.com.au and so on. It is one of the cheapest parts of having a website, but it is also one of the most confusing, because prices jump around and renewal costs often surprise people.

This guide explains what domains typically cost, why prices vary so much, and how to avoid the common traps, whether you are registering in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, India, the Philippines or Nigeria.

The short answer

For a standard, available domain with a common ending, most businesses pay roughly $10 to $20 per year. Some country endings are cheaper, some newer endings are more expensive, and names that someone else already owns can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to buy.

What affects the price of a domain?

1. The ending (the TLD)

The part after the dot is called the top level domain, or TLD. Each one has its own wholesale price set by the organisation that runs it, and registrars add their margin on top. Roughly speaking:

.com: typically around $10 to $20 per year at mainstream registrars.
Country endings like .co.uk, .ca, .com.au, .in, .ph or .com.ng: prices vary by country, and some are inexpensive, while others cost more or have rules about who can register them.
Newer endings like .shop, .online, .store, .agency or .studio: often cheap in the first year but can renew at a much higher price.

2. First year price versus renewal price

This is the biggest trap. Many registrars advertise a domain for a dollar or two for the first year, then renew it at full price, sometimes several times higher. Always check the renewal price before you buy. That is what you will pay every year after.

3. Premium and taken names

Short, memorable or keyword rich names are often classed as "premium" by the registry and priced much higher, sometimes with higher renewals too. If a name is already registered by someone else, you would need to buy it from them, and prices are whatever the owner asks.

4. Extras bundled at checkout

Registrars often try to add privacy protection, email, hosting, SSL certificates, website builders and "protection" packages. Some are useful, many are not, and they can turn a cheap domain into an expensive one.

Which extras do you actually need?

Privacy protection

When you register a domain, your contact details go into a public database called WHOIS. Privacy protection hides your personal details. Many registrars now include it free, and some country endings handle privacy differently. If your registrar charges a lot for it, consider whether another registrar includes it at no cost.

SSL certificate

SSL is what gives your site the padlock and https in the address bar. It is essential, but basic SSL certificates are widely available free, and most good hosts and website platforms include it. Be wary of paying extra for a basic certificate.

Professional email

An address like [email protected] looks far more professional than a free webmail address. This is usually a separate service charged per user, per month. It is worth having, but you do not have to buy it from your domain registrar.

Domain "protection" bundles

These are often add ons that register lots of similar endings or misspellings. For most small businesses, registering your main domain and perhaps your country ending is enough.

Should I choose .com or a country ending?

It depends on your customers.

If you serve one country, a country ending like .co.uk, .ca, .com.au or .com.ng can signal that you are local, which customers often like.
If you sell internationally, or your customers are mostly online, .com is the most recognised and trusted option worldwide.
If you can, register both and point one at the other. That protects your name and catches people who type either version.

Google does not favour .com over country endings for ranking, but country endings can help show which country you are relevant to.

Tips for choosing a good domain

Keep it short and easy to spell when said out loud.
Avoid hyphens and numbers if you can, as they get misheard.
Match your business name as closely as possible.
Consider adding your town or service if your exact name is taken, for example smithplumbingleeds.co.uk.
Check social media handles at the same time so everything matches.
Check trademarks to make sure you are not using someone else's brand.

The most important rule: register it in your own name

Whoever registers your domain controls it. Some designers and agencies register clients' domains in their own accounts. When the relationship ends, the business owner can struggle to get their own web address back, and sometimes loses it entirely.

Make sure:

The domain is registered with you as the owner.
You have the login details for the registrar account, or can get them on request.
Auto renew is switched on, with a payment card that will not expire unnoticed.
Renewal reminders go to an email address you actually check.

Letting a domain expire by accident can take your website and email offline, and expired domains can be snapped up by others.

What does a domain not include?

A domain is only the address. On its own it does not give you a website. You still need hosting and the site itself. Think of the domain as your street address and the website as the shop built on it. For the full picture of costs, read how much a small business website costs.

And if you are tempted by "free" website offers that give you an address like yourbusiness.freebuilder.com instead of your own domain, our guide on whether a free website is worth it explains why that can hold you back.

How to avoid overpaying: a quick checklist

Compare the renewal price, not just the first year deal.
Untick extras at checkout unless you know you need them.
Look for free privacy protection.
Do not pay for a basic SSL certificate if your host provides one free.
Register for more than one year if the price is fair, to reduce renewal risk.
Keep all your domains in one account so nothing gets forgotten.

How SiteDrum handles domains

With SiteDrum, you always own your domain and your content. We help you choose and connect a domain in your name, set up SSL, and make sure it points to your site properly. Plans start at Starter, $99 setup then $15 per month, with Business at $249 then $29 per month and Premium at $499 then $59 per month including an online shop. Every site goes live in 7 days, with no long contract. Details are on our pricing section.

The bottom line

A domain should cost most small businesses somewhere around $10 to $20 per year. Watch the renewal price, skip the unnecessary extras, and above all make sure the domain is registered in your name. Get those three things right and your web address will never become a problem.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a .com domain cost per year?

Typically around $10 to $20 per year at mainstream registrars, though promotional first year prices can be lower and renewals higher.

Why did my domain renewal cost more than I paid?

Many registrars offer a discounted first year and renew at the full standard price. Always check the renewal price before buying.

Can I buy a domain forever?

No. Domains are registered for a period, usually one to ten years, and must be renewed. Turn on auto renew so it never lapses.

Do I need privacy protection?

It hides your personal contact details from public lookup records. Many registrars include it free, so it is worth having if it costs nothing.

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