The Price of .com Domains: More Affordable Than You Think

When you think about the most popular top-level domains (TLDs), .com is probably the first that comes to mind. That’s because there are more .com web addresses than any other and that volume is growing all the time.

That popularity could make them expensive — however, .coms are more affordable than most people realize.

Average Prices of .com Domains

There are over 155 million websites with a .com TLD, more than nine times the number of the nearest contender, the .de ccTLD. Searching for the right domain name often starts with [your brand].com, with people often opting for alternatives because their preferred .com choice is taken. They may also choose to say no to .com because they assume it’s more expensive.

However, prices for .com have remained relatively stable despite their consistent popularity. Many .com domains are available for around $10, although some go for incredible rates. Recently, IPL.com was sold for an astonishing $265K. If there’s a known demand for certain brand names, this can cause prices to rise. But most unique .com domains are inexpensive.

Verisign Fees Explained

The reason .com domains cost anything at all is because fees go to certain organizations that help maintain the infrastructure of the internet. One such organization is Verisign, an American firm dedicated to online infrastructure and security.

Verisign is also the primary registry for both .com and .net domains. Any registrar that provides these must pay fees to Verisign, which make up a part of the cost passed on to customers. Verisign’s fees have risen by 7% year on year since 2021. However, we’re now approaching a pre-agreed price freeze so after 2024, fees shouldn’t rise again until 2027.

ICANN Fees Explained

ICANN stands for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and it’s the non-profit responsible for the allocation and maintenance of website addresses. ICANN manages top-level domains as well as the domain name system (DNS). The DNS translates your website address into an IP address that an internet-connected device can understand.

ICANN charges domain name registrars for each registration of a generic TLD (gTLD). However, it’s only a few cents: currently, it’s $0.18 per registration. This cost is part of any charge you receive when registering a .com domain.

.com Prices vs. Other TLDs

With all these fees in place, it’s easy to assume that .com domains are more expensive than alternatives. However, that’s not always the case.

Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) range in price from $10 to thousands of dollars per registration. A .na domain that indicates a presence in Namibia, Africa, for example, could set you back nearly $7,000.

A .net is often seen as a cheaper alternative to a .com that’s also widely trusted around the world. However, most .net prices are at least a dollar more expensive than most .com domains.

Many businesses or online entrepreneurs love to opt for one of the new gTLDs on the market. These can show what type of business you’re in, for example, .law or .travel. They can also be a geographical alternative for ccTLDs, such as the .asia gTLD.

However, these newer gTLDs aren’t always a cheaper option. If you run a radio station, you might want a .radio web address. This will certainly provide you with a strong online presence that stands out from the crowd. Just be prepared to pay over $240. Similarly, .game domains can cost around $350 and some adult-themed domains can set buyers back over $12,000.

For most buyers, if the domain is available, the .com choice is often the cheaper option.

Making Your .com Domain Even Cheaper

If you’re surprised by how affordable your .com domain could be, here’s a way to make it even cheaper. For a limited time only, RegisterDomains is offering a special promotion where you can get your .com domain for just $0.99 for the first year. This makes it super affordable for you to build your online presence, with standard renewal rates applicable after the first year.

If you’ve been on the fence about buying a .com domain, now is the time to invest and maximize your budget. Remember, you always get free web redirection and email forwarding with all domains you register with us, so you can even transfer an existing domain with ease. Find out just how simple the process is online.