It happens to all of us: you see a domain at a bargain price and then the following year the renewal invoice catches you off guard. Registering a domain is the first step to existing on the internet, but it's important to understand that it's not a one-time purchase — it's a rental that requires ongoing maintenance. 🏠
What determines the price? 🧐
A domain's cost isn't arbitrary; it depends mainly on the extension (what comes after the dot, like .com, .es, or .store). Here's why they vary:
Global domains (.com, .net, .org): These are the most common. Their price tends to be stable, though it depends on the dollar exchange rate since the regulating bodies operate in that currency.
Country-code domains (.es, .mx, .co): Tied to specific countries. For example, .es tends to be very affordable because its management body (Red.es) aims to encourage digital presence in Spain.
New extensions (.tech, .photography, .online): These are the most modern. Prices here are a rollercoaster — you can find very aggressive introductory offers, but their renewal price is often higher than a .com.
The difference between Registration and Renewal 🔄
This is where most users get confused. Always check both prices:
Registration price: What you pay today. Sometimes we run special promotions to make starting your project very affordable.
Renewal price: The annual cost to keep the domain active after the first year. This is the price you need to consider for your long-term budget.
Transfer price: If you bring your domain to Bacan, you normally pay one year of renewal and we add it to your existing expiry date.
Hidden fees (which don't exist here) 🙅
At Bacan we like clarity. Many registrars add the ICANN fee (approximately $0.18) at the end of the purchase process. We prefer to show you the final price from the start so there are no surprises at checkout.
Bacan's Pro Tip: 💡
If you find your dream domain available, register it for 2 or 5 years at once. Not only do you ensure no one takes it if you forget a renewal email, but you also protect yourself against potential international price increases from regulatory bodies.
So nothing slips through the cracks:
Always check the renewal price: The first-year discount is great, but make sure the standard price fits your budget.
WHOIS Privacy: For many extensions, we protect your personal data at no extra charge so your inbox doesn't fill up with spam.
Don't wait until the last day: If a domain expires, it enters a redemption period where recovering it can cost up to 10 times more than a normal renewal. Watch those dates! 📅