Buying a Domain Name: Prices and Step-by-Step Plan for .nl, .com and .eu
Buying a domain name is the first step to going online, but what does it actually cost and how does it work? In this article you'll find the prices per extension and a simple step-by-step plan to register your domain name today.
Still unsure about the right name or extension? Read our article on choosing a domain name first. Already know what you want? Keep reading below.
What does a domain name cost?
The price of a domain name depends on the extension. A selection of the most popular options at bHosted:
| Extension | Price per year |
|---|---|
| .nl | € 14.00 |
| .com | € 17.00 |
| .eu | € 13.00 |
| .be | € 12.00 |
| .org | € 16.00 |
| .net | € 17.00 |
Check our pricing page for the full overview of all extensions we offer.
Buying a domain name in 4 steps
- Check whether the name is still available. Type your desired domain name into the domain check form.
- Choose your extension. Available and torn between, say, .nl and .com? You can register both.
- Fill in your details and order. Your details are used for the WHOIS registration, mandatory for almost every extension.
- Done. Your domain name is registered in your name immediately, and you manage it right away through your customer portal.
What exactly do you get when you buy a domain name?
You're not buying permanent ownership, but a registration for the period you choose (usually 1 year, with automatic renewal). As long as you renew on time, the name stays yours. You also get:
- Full control over the DNS settings of your domain.
- Access to your details via WHOIS (with privacy protection where possible).
- The ability to connect it to hosting, email, or a simple forward.
Do I need to buy hosting right away too?
No, that's not necessary. Want to just secure the name without using it right away? Then you can choose free domain parking. Want to start emailing professionally on your new domain straight away? Mail Only is enough for that. Building a website too? Take a look at our hosting packages.
What if the domain name you want is already taken?
If your first choice is already registered, there are usually still options:
- Try a different extension. If
.nlis taken,.com,.euor another extension might still be free. - Slightly adjust the name. Think of a hyphen, an extra word, or an abbreviation of your company name.
- Wait for the quarantine period. When a
.nldomain is cancelled, it first goes through a quarantine period before it becomes available again. Our domain quarantine page lets you register it as soon as it becomes free. - Get in touch for less common extensions. Don't see the extension you're looking for in our standard offering? We're happy to check whether we can still register it for you.
Which extension should I choose?
Still torn between .nl, .com, .eu or another extension? Our article on choosing a domain name explains which extension fits which situation.
Automatic renewal: handy or not?
Most domain names are automatically renewed by default, so you never accidentally lose them. For most people, that's exactly what you want: you pay the annual renewal and don't have to think about anything else. Prefer to stay in control of renewals yourself? You can usually turn off automatic renewal through your customer portal. Just keep in mind you'll then need to renew on time yourself to avoid losing the name.
Ready to secure your domain name?
Check right away whether your name is still available and register it within minutes via our domain registration page. Still not sure? Our support team is happy to think along with you.
