Your domain name is your address online: it is on your visiting card, your email and every link you share. Choosing a good one takes ten minutes. Losing one because a renewal was missed can cost months of work and customers. This guide covers both.
.com or .in?
- .in (and .co.in) tells visitors you are an Indian business. It is usually easier to get a short, clean name, and it works well if most customers are in India.
- .com is the most recognised ending worldwide and suits businesses that sell to other countries.
- If both are free, register both and point one to the other so no one else can take the second.
You can check both at once with our free Domain Availability Checker.
How to pick a good name
- Short and easy to spell. If you have to spell it out on the phone, it is too hard.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they are part of your brand.
- Match your business name as closely as you can. Adding your city or product works well if the exact name is taken, for example yourbrandtirupur.com or yourbrandtex.in.
- Check trademarks and social media so you do not build on a name someone else owns.
Register it in your own name
This is the most important rule. The domain should be registered to your business, with your email address, even if an agency or developer manages it. Ask for the registrar account login or at least a confirmation that you are the registrant. Many business owners discover too late that their domain belongs to a former developer.
How renewal works
Domains are rented one or more years at a time. Around the expiry date:
- Before expiry: renew at the normal price, ideally for two or more years.
- Just after expiry: the website and email stop working. Most registrars allow renewal at the normal price for a short grace period, often around 30 days for .com.
- Redemption period: after grace, many domains can only be restored by paying an extra restore fee.
- Deletion: after that, the domain is released and anyone can register it.
Exact periods depend on the domain ending and the registrar, so do not rely on them. Renew early.
Four habits that stop you losing a domain
- Turn on auto-renew with a card or payment method that will still be valid next year.
- Keep the registrar email address current. Renewal notices go there.
- Renew for several years when you can; it also saves effort.
- Set a reminder. Our free Domain Expiry Checker shows the exact expiry date and can email you 30, 7 and 1 day before it expires.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a domain cost?
A .com or .in usually costs around ₹800 to ₹1,500 a year with most registrars. Premium names cost more. Watch out for low first-year offers with high renewal prices.
Can I move my domain to another registrar?
Yes. Unlock the domain, get the transfer (EPP) code from your current registrar and start the transfer at the new one. Most transfers add a year of renewal.
Someone else has the domain I want. What can I do?
Try a different ending or add your city or product. You can also check when it expires; if the owner does not renew, it may become available later.
Want us to register and look after your domain?
NPD Softwares registers domains in your name, sets up business email and your website, and keeps track of renewals so nothing expires by accident. See our work.