Premium Domains
Last updated
Table of Contents
- What is a Premium Domain?
- What makes a Premium Domain valuable
- How can I register or transfer a Premium Domain with DNSimple?
- What about renewals?
- Have more questions?
A premium domain is a domain name that the registry prices above the standard rate for its top-level domain (TLD), often because it is short or a popular word. At DNSimple, the premium price is shown before you register, transfer, or renew the domain, and you confirm it by typing the price in.
What is a Premium Domain?
A premium domain is priced differently by a registrar, and is generally found in the new gTLDs space. They are typically more expensive than a normal domain, with prices going into the thousands of dollars in some cases. Examples of new gTLDs with premium names are .love and .ninja.
Premium domains are not a different type of domain technically. They function identically to standard domains in terms of DNS resolution, email delivery, and all other technical aspects. The only difference is the pricing structure set by the registry. Registries designate certain domains as premium based on perceived value, which allows them to charge higher registration and renewal fees for these domains.
What makes a Premium Domain valuable
Premium domains appeal to specific businesses or groups of people, providing them with useful, specific domain names for their activities. Other times they are just popular keywords or a very well known combination of a name and domain. Some registries or registrars also consider two or three letter domains to be more valuable, so those may have a higher price.
For example: Paris is known as the city of love. The domain created as a combination of these could be paris.love and would be an attractive name for marketing companies or businesses. The .love registry may impose a higher fee for this combination. The registrar may even make it more expensive than a typical .love domain registration.
How can I register or transfer a Premium Domain with DNSimple?
When you register or transfer a premium domain, the form shows a notice that the domain is a premium domain, with its price per year. To confirm the purchase, enter that premium price in the confirmation field. The order does not go through until the price you enter matches.
If the premium price is more than $1,000 per year, you cannot complete the purchase from the form. Instead, the form asks you to contact us to register or transfer the domain.
What about renewals?
Renewing a premium domain can vary in cost. It could be the same as a typical renewal or as much as a new registration. The minimum pricing for this is determined by the registry. When you renew a premium domain, the renewal form shows the premium renewal price, and you confirm it the same way as a registration.
Premium domain renewal pricing is set entirely by the registry, not by DNSimple. Some registries maintain consistent premium pricing for renewals, while others may adjust prices based on market conditions or domain popularity. Unlike standard domains where renewal pricing is typically predictable, premium domain renewal costs can change between renewal periods. This means the renewal price you pay one year may differ from the price you pay the following year, depending on the registry’s pricing policy.
Have more questions?
If you have any other questions about premium domains, just contact support, and we will be happy to help. You can also read more about domain registration at DNSimple.