Explaining the Four .nl Domains and How to Register

Registering a website in the Netherlands has plenty of advantages. If you run a business, you can use the .nl domain to build trust and confidence with your customers. For informational sites and resources, you expand your reach, becoming a more trusted entity. And, for non-profit organizations, there’s the opportunity to help more people.

There are four main extensions of the .nl ccTLD. Read on to learn how to register for each one.

What Is a ccTLD?

Before we get started, let’s define a ccTLD. The acronym stands for country code top-level domain name, and refers to any domain that ties a website to a specific country. For example, all .uk sites are registered in the United Kingdom and all .br sites are registered in Brazil. Country codes let website visitors know where a site was registered to get a better sense of the legitimacy of the web content they’re viewing.

What Are the ccTLDs of The Netherlands?

All ccTLDs in the Netherlands end in a final extension of .nl. However, there are four versions:

• .nl
• .co.nl
• .net.nl
• .com.nl

All of these domains are managed by the Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland (SIDN), which means the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration in the Netherlands. SIDN officially took over all .nl domains in 1996 and focuses on ensuring these domains are stable, secure, and reliable.

The .nl Domain

The .nl domain is the primary ccTLD of the Netherlands. It was first registered in 1986 by the Dutch internet pioneer, Piet Beertema. That makes .nl the first country outside of the United States to have its own active country code.

Today, the .nl domain is popular with anyone wanting to gain an online presence in Holland or other parts of the Netherlands. Investing in a .nl domain helps you garner trust with Dutch customers or, for B2B providers, Dutch businesses. The .nl domain is one of the most popular in the world. The main reason being, there are no special requirements in order to register one.

The .co.nl Domain

Using a .co.nl domain name is a great alternative if the domain you want isn’t available with a simple .nl extension. The .co.nl extension is also deeply associated with Dutch companies. If you plan to operate a business in the Netherlands, this could be the best extension for you.

The .net.nl Domain

Another alternative to .nl is .net.nl. This is a less commonly used extension and you’ll more likely find the domain you want here. Just remember, you must check that your domain name doesn’t infringe on anyone’s copyright. If a .nl domain is taken, it’s worth checking the copyright or trademark on that name to prevent legal trouble in the future.

The .com.nl Domain

Globally, .com websites are well-respected. In the Netherlands, .com.nl is a great alternative extension to make your website distinct and memorable.

How to Register Your .nl Domain Name

Follow these steps to register a .nl domain name of any of the four types mentioned above:

1. Choose a trusted international domain name provider.
2. Utilize their domain search function to check if your .nl domain is available.
3. Check in all four .nl domain types if your first choice is taken.
4. If your domain is available, check the price and services offered by the domain name provider to assess the value of their offerings.
5. Once you’re happy with the price, follow the provider’s prompts to register your domain.

If you’re transferring a domain, check how long this will take and if there will be any interruption in service for website visitors. It’s also worth checking if the domain name provider offers redirection services while your transfer completes.

Choose Register.Domains for All Your International Domains

Here at Register.Domains, we have a wealth of experience setting users up with international domain names. We can provide you with any available .nl domain, and there are no special requirements you have to fulfill. Our service also includes free web direction and email forwarding to keep everything running smoothly. Find out more on our website today.