Domain Name Registration is the process of reserving a unique web address (e.g., www.example.com) for your website. This gives you ownership of the domain and ensures it points to your online content. Registering a domain typically involves choosing a domain registrar (such as GoDaddy or Namecheap) and selecting an available name.
Choosing the Best Domain for Your Needs
When selecting a domain, consider the following:
- Relevance to Your Brand: Ensure the domain reflects your business name, product, or service.
- Memorability: Short, easy-to-remember domains are ideal. Avoid complex spellings or symbols.
- Extension (.com, .co.za, etc.):
- .com: The most popular and versatile extension, ideal for global reach and credibility.
- .co.za: Best for businesses targeting South Africa.
- .co: A shorter alternative, often used by startups.
- .org: Suitable for nonprofits, charities, or organizations.
- General South African related TLDs:
- .capetown
- .africa
- .joburg
- .durban
- .org.za
- .net.za
- .web.za
- .africa.com
- .store
- SEO Benefits: Include keywords in your domain for better search engine visibility (e.g., www.cakescapetown.co.za).
- Future Growth: Choose a domain that can grow with your business if you expand services or regions.
A well-chosen domain is key to building a strong online presence and driving traffic to your site.
Annual Costs of Domain Registration
Domain registration is not a one-time purchase; it typically involves an annual fee to maintain ownership. Prices vary depending on the domain extension (.com, .co.za, etc.) and the registrar. Some registrars offer discounts for multi-year registrations or package deals, but you must renew the domain regularly to avoid losing ownership.
A well-chosen domain is key to building a strong online presence and driving traffic to your site.
Costs Guides 2025
| Host | 1st Year | 2nd Year | Comment | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | .com .co.za |
$10.44(USD) NA |
$10.44(USD) NA |
|
★★★★★ |
| Cyber Smart | .com .co.za |
R 259.00 ZAR R 89.00 ZAR |
R 259.00 ZAR R 89.00 ZAR |
Affordable | ★★★★★ |
| Domains.co.za | .com .co.za |
R 259.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
R 259.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
Decent alround | ★★★★☆ |
| xneelo | .com .co.za |
R 279.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
R 279.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
Decent alround | ★★★★☆ |
| GoDaddy | .com .co.za |
R 417.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
R 417.00 ZAR R 99.00 ZAR |
|
★★☆☆☆ |
Domain Registration with Website Builders and Hidden Costs:
Many website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer domain registration services as part of their platform, making it convenient to set up a website. However, it’s important to understand the associated costs and limitations.
Domain Registration through Website Builders
When using a website builder, you can purchase a domain directly through their platform or connect a domain you’ve registered elsewhere. While convenient, buying a domain from a website builder often ties the domain to their ecosystem, limiting flexibility if you want to switch platforms later.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Renewal Fees:
- Website builders may offer a free domain for the first year, but renewal costs can be higher than registering with a third-party registrar like Namecheap or Google Domains.
- Renewal fees often apply even if you decide to leave the platform.
- Domain Privacy Protection:
- Some platforms charge extra for privacy protection, which hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database.
- Domain Transfers:
- Transferring your domain to another registrar or platform may incur fees or require you to meet specific criteria, such as a minimum registration period.
- Upselling of Premium Domains:
- Builders may suggest purchasing premium domains (shorter or highly sought-after names) at significantly higher prices.
- Email Hosting:
- Email hosting tied to your domain (e.g., yourname@yourdomain.com) is often not included and requires additional fees, through the builder or a third-party service like Google Workspace.
- Custom SSL Certificates:
- While most platforms include SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates for free, some might charge for advanced features or require a paid plan to enable them.
- Long Transfer Periods:
- Be careful when transferring your domain name. Certain services can lock you out of editing it for up to a week.
Cost Estimates for Website Builders 2025
| Host | 1st Year | 2nd Year | Comment | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | .com .co.za |
$16.00 USD $19.00 USD |
$16.00 USD $19.00 USD |
|
★★☆☆☆ |
| Squarespace | .com .co.za |
R 268.00 ZAR NA |
R 268.00 ZAR NA |
★★★☆☆ | |
| Wix | .com .co.za |
Bundled NA |
Bundled NA |
|
★★☆☆☆ |
Note: Many services do include domain costs if you pay for licence fees. But please read the related hidden costs above.
Tip from our experience:
For greater flexibility and potentially lower costs, consider registering your domain with a third-party registrar and connecting it to your website builder. This approach can give you more control over your domain and make it easier to switch platforms in the future.
Understanding these costs upfront can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses when building your online presence.
Why We Don’t Offer Domain Sales
We’ve chosen not to focus on domain sales as part of our services because they typically provide little to no value to our business. The high level of competition in the domain market, combined with minimal markups, means that profit margins are extremely low.
Instead, we prioritize services that deliver more substantial value and align with our business goals.