The price of a domain name
Over the years of running .eco, we’ve been asked many questions about the price of .eco domains and where to register them. Here are our answers.
We recognize that how domain names are priced is not well understood outside of the domain name industry. So we wanted to shed some light on the topic and collate our advice to help you make the right decision about your current or next .eco domain.
What is the price of a .eco domain?
The price of a standard .eco domain is US$60 to US$125 per year. The price varies depending on the domain retailer (also known as a registrar) that you choose.
Why does the retail price vary so much?
Like other retail goods, the price of a domain name consists of two parts:
- the wholesale price set by the registry
- the markup applied by the retailer
Retailers may apply a markup ranging from slightly above the wholesale cost to 100% or higher. Unlike other markets where the price of a product is consistent, there is no MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) for domain names. Retailers are free to apply whatever markup they choose.
When choosing where to register your .eco domain, it may make sense to shop around if you are looking for the best deal. Keep in mind that the markup applied by the retailer helps cover the cost of ancillary services that are beneficial to the operation of your domain name such as authoritative DNS, domain security services or providing customer support.
We also encourage you to consider the environmental and social commitments of the retailer that you choose. You may find our guide on finding a green domain retailer to be of use.
Can I buy a .eco domain from you directly?
We do not sell .eco domains directly. While there is nothing prohibiting a domain registry from selling domain names (some registries do), we are solely focused on operating the registry. We are happy to assist you in finding a .eco retailer that meets your needs.
Why are .eco domains so expensive?
The price of a .eco domain is actually around the median price for a domain name. While there are some domains that are very inexpensive, there are also some that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. .eco is priced comparably to other domains that might be of interest to environmentally-focused organizations like .green or .solar. That said, .eco is the only domain that is focused on and supported by the global environmental community.
For most businesses, the cost of a name domain is a small fraction of the marketing budget. A domain name is the one of the first things that a potential customer sees when they learn about your company. It is worthwhile to invest in a domain name that enhances your brand rather than detracts from it.
In cases where the cost of getting a .eco domain is a barrier, we offer .eco domain grants as a way for environmental non-profits to obtain a .eco domain for free.
Are .eco domains ever on sale?
There are some top-level domains that run sales of 80%-90% off. We will never do that as it invites speculative and malicious registrations that are poorly aligned with the goals of the environmental community. Our intention is to get .eco domains to environmentally-focused businesses, non-profits and individuals that are trying to create a more sustainable world. When you see a domain name on a deep discount, it is worth checking the renewal price as that is what you will be paying for the lifetime of the domain name.
That said, we do run sales of around 20% off new registrations typically twice a year (spring and fall) around environmentally-significant events like Earth Day. We also have a long-running promotion lowering the price of registering a .eco domain for multiple years as a way to give back to people making a longer-term commitment to the .eco community. If you would like to know more about upcoming sales, please get in touch.
Do some .eco domains cost more?
There are a few thousand domain names that we have designated as premiums having a higher registration price. These are typically domain names that are scarce (like one- or two-character names) or generic terms that are broadly popular or are particularly meaningful to the .eco community. As with standard domain names, the markup applied by retailers also varies, so it can be worth looking around if you are interested in one of these domains. Also, unlike some other extensions, .eco premium domains renew at the same price as a standard .eco domain.
Designating some domain names as premiums is a standard practice in the domain industry. It also makes it more expensive to engage in domain speculation (privately reselling domain names for a profit).
If you believe that a particular premium domain is a good fit and you are planning to use it for an environmentally-focused endeavour, please get in touch.
Are there other fees associated with domain names?
Beyond the initial price of registering a domain name, there are three additional fees that you could encounter:
- Renewal: every year you need to pay the renewal price to continue using your domain. Some retailers charge a higher fee for renewals, so it is worthwhile reviewing this charge.
- Transfer: if you choose to move your .eco domain to a different retailer, you will be charged with renewing the domain for an additional year. This will extend the lifetime of your domain for an additional year from the date that it was set to expire.
- Restore: if you fail to pay the renewal fee and allow your domain to expire, you have at least 30 days in which you can still recover your domain before it is deleted. Some registries or retailers may charge a fee for restoring the domain. We do not charge this as we recognize that sometimes people accidentally fail to renew their domain on time and should not be penalized for it. You will, however, need to pay the renewal price to renew the domain.
Is it possible to get a refund?
Issuing a refund for a recently registered .eco domain is at the discretion of the domain retailer. Some retailers may accommodate it and some consider all purchases to be final. We have no control or influence over whether a refund is issued.
If you have any further questions about the price of .eco domains that we have not covered, please let us know!