.fr Domain Names Explained

France, the land of romance. A beautiful country packed with history, art, and culture. It’s also a popular choice when looking for a new domain name, especially if you’re looking to establish a trusted online presence in the country.

Take a look at our short guide to the .fr domain and why you might want to register one.

What Is a .fr Domain?

The .fr domain is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) which means it’s a domain reserved for use by a particular country. In this instance, .fr codes indicate that the domain is registered in the country of France. The .fr domain has been France’s TLD since 1986.

All .fr domains are managed by the Association Francaise pour le Nommage Internet en Cooperation, known as AFNIC. AFNIC is highly focused on protecting personal information. To do this, they ensure all data is anonymized in their databases. As a European domain administrator, they also comply with GDPR rules.

How Many People Have a .fr Domain?

According to Statista, the .fr domain is one of the most popular in the world, sharing a top ten with other popular TLDs like .com and .org. Registration of the .fr domain accounts for 1.6% of all internet domains.

At least 40% of all websites in France use a .fr domain.

Benefits of Registering a .fr Domain

Why do so many people want a .fr domain? There are a number of reasons, many focusing on creating a better online presence in France.

Local SEO

Local SEO is the practice of creating a website that’s likely to appear in geographical search engine results pages (SERPs). If you’re trying to reach a French audience, .fr websites are more likely to rank highly for searches within France.

Build Trust With International Customers

When you’re trying to build an audience in France, it helps to know that French people value local services and companies based in France. A .fr extension on your business website helps reassure customers that you’re providing a trusted service. AFNIC states that 90% of French citizens trust a website with a .fr extension, so you can leverage that strategic advantage.

Don’t forget to look up what regulations there are around doing business in France. You must ensure you adhere to these before advertising your goods/services in France.

Provide Security to Visitors

Because AFNIC’s data protection and security protocols are so stringent, your website is potentially more secure and stable on a .fr domain than some others. Confidently advertise your site as a safe place to visit.

Expand a Fanbase

If you’re online to meet like-minded people or grow a following, expanding into a new country is a great way to do this. A .fr domain lets people know you’re bringing your e-zine, review site, blog, or wiki to France and want to engage with a French audience. Consider employing professional translation services to help you interact more effectively with your new audience.

How to Register a .fr Domain

Registering a French domain name is very simple however there is a catch: You must live in Europe. If you’re outside Europe and really want a .fr domain, don’t panic. The best domain name registrars have local representatives in Europe who can register the domain on your behalf. This is called a trustee service and adds an additional cost to your domain price.

Make sure the domain name you’re looking for is unique, and that you’re not inadvertently taking part in copyright or trademark infringement. Once you’re happy that your domain is unique and available, choose a registrar to register the domain for you.

What to Look For in a Great Domain Name Registrar

Firstly, check that the registrar can provide .fr domains. Only 400 registrars worldwide are allowed to provide .fr domains.

Take a look at the price of the domain and ensure it's affordable for you. Check what other services the registrar offers, such as web redirection or email forwarding if you’re transferring your domain. It’s also worth seeing if they can offer professional email or hosting services so you can get all your services from one provider.

Get your .fr domain name up and running fast with the right registrar, helping you become a trusted member of the French online community.