To make a mark of business’s holding in the digital world you need buy a domain name in Kenya. This is because a good domain name makes it easier for people to visit and remember your site.
The process of selecting and purchasing the perfect domain name may seem daunting at first. However, this guide will show you how simple it actually is when you follow some best practices.
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What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address of your website, and it’s what people type into their browser to find you online. For example, creativekigen.com is the domain name of Creative Kigen Consulting, which is one of the leading web design companies in Kenya .
Benefits of having a domain name
Before we dive into the process of registering a domain name in Kenya, it’s important to understand why it’s essential for your business. Here are some benefits of owning a domain name:
- Professionalism Having your own domain name across your website and email addresses makes your business look more professional.
- Trust According to a survey, 7 out of 10 people trust businesses with a professional .CO.KE over free alternatives.
- Branding Having your own domain name allows you to be consistent throughout your branding.
- It’s Your Part of the Internet Owning your domain name means you’ll only have your business name in your website address, keeping it free from other website builder names or branding
- Stand out from the crowd and attract more visitors to your site-
- Protect your brand and intellectual property from competitors.
How to register a domain name in kenya
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name
The first step in buying a domain name in Kenya is to choose the name itself. This can be a tricky process, as you’ll want to choose a name that’s memorable, easy to spell and type, and relevant to your business or brand.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right domain name:
- Keep it short and simple: Shorter domain names are easier to remember and type, so try to keep your domain name as short as possible while still being descriptive.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens: Numbers and hyphens can be confusing and difficult to type, so it’s best to avoid them if possible.
- Use keywords: Including keywords related to your business or brand in your domain name can help improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for people to find you online.
- Check for availability: Before you settle on a domain name, make sure it’s available by using a domain name search tool.
Step 2: Pick a Domain Extension
Once you’ve chosen a domain name, the next step is to choose a domain extension. A domain extension is the part of the domain name that comes after the dot, such as .com or .org.
- .co.ke: This is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Kenya and is a popular choice for businesses and individuals based in the country.
- .com: This is the most popular generic top-level domain (gTLD) worldwide and is a good choice for businesses and individuals looking to establish a global presence.
- .org: This gTLD is commonly used by non-profit organizations and charities.
- .net: This gTLD is often used by businesses involved in technology or networking.When choosing a domain extension, it’s important to consider your target audience and the image you want to project. For example, if you’re targeting customers in Kenya, using the .co.ke ccTLD can help establish trust and credibility with your audience.
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Step 3: Find a Reliable Domain Name Provider
A domain name provider is a company responsible for registering and managing domain names.
Picking the wrong one means you might end up paying hidden fees or even getting scammed.
It can be challenging to pick from hundreds of domain provider as they all offer similar services. Therefore, consider the following aspects to select a reliable domain registrar for your needs:
- Pricing. Before making a website domain purchase, make sure to read the registrar’s terms of service and check for any hidden domain costs.
- Domain expiration policy. It’s crucial to renew a domain name before its expiration date to prevent other people from registering it. To avoid this issue, pick a registrar that gives you payment reminders or offers an automatic domain renewal option.
- Add-on services. Look for domain registrars providing valuable add-ons, such as domain privacy or domain parking.
- Domain transfer policy. It’s possible to move domain names from one registrar to another, but some of them might make the process difficult or charge extra fees. Make sure to review the registrar’s domain transfer policy before making a purchase.
Some of the most popular and trusted domain registrars in Kenya are:
- Kenya Website Experts : This is one of the leading web hosting and domain registration companies in Kenya. They offer a wide range of domain extensions at affordable prices, starting from Ksh 999 per year for .co.ke domains. They also provide free DNS management, email forwarding, ID protection, and 24/7 customer support.
- Safaricom : This is one of the largest telecommunications companies in Kenya. They also offer domain registration services for various extensions, starting from Ksh 1000 per year for .co.ke domains. They also provide free email accounts, web hosting plans, SSL certificates, and 24/7 customer support.
- Truehost: This is another popular web hosting and domain registration company in Kenya. They offer a variety of domain extensions at competitive prices, starting from Ksh 799 per year for .co.ke domains. They also provide free DNS management, email accounts, web hosting plans, SSL certificates, and 24/7 customer support.
- CreativeK Cloud: This is a new domain name provider in the market. They have extensive experience when it comes to web development in Kenya and that comes with an advantage. They offer the convenience of buying a domain name, hosting plan and web design services at the same time. They give you a free digital marketing plan for your business.
In order to streamline the website-making process, it is more convenient to buy hosting and a domain name from the same provider. This means you won’t need to perform any domain transfers or manually connect the domain to the hosting account.
In this guide, we are going to be buying a domain name via CreativeK Cloud.
Why? They provide a domain for only Ksh 1,750 to anyone who signs up for their hosting via my special link – sweet deal!
Step 4: Run a Domain Name Search
The next step on how to buy a domain name in Kenya is to check for its availability.
Use the search tool provided by the preferred registrar to enter your domain name and see if it is available or taken.
If it is available, you can proceed to the next step. If it is taken, you can try a different name or extension, or use their suggestions to find a similar name
Once you’ve chosen a domain name, the next step is to choose a domain extension. A domain extension is the part of the domain name that comes after the dot, such as .com or .org.
There are many different domain extensions available, but some of the most popular options for businesses and individuals in Kenya include:
Step 5. Add Domain to Cart & Checkout
At this stage, it’s critical to check the spelling of your domain as well as the extension. It’s not possible to change a domain at a later point. Once it’s been paid for, then it is yours.
At this stage, it’s critical to check the spelling of your domain as well as the extension. It’s not possible to change a domain at a later point. Once it’s been paid for, then it is yours. You will need to provide some personal and contact information to register your domain name, such as your name, email address, phone number, and address. You will also need to agree to the terms and conditions of the domain registrar and the domain registry.
Step 6: Choose a payment method and complete purchase..
You can pay for your domain name using either Mpesa Express Checkout or Mpesa Paybill
Once your payment is confirmed and your order is completed, you will receive an email from the domain registrar with instructions on how to activate your domain name and set up your DNS records.
DNS records are settings that tell the internet where to find your website and email.
You will need to point your domain name to your web hosting provider’s servers using their nameservers or IP addresses.
You can also create subdomains, email accounts, redirects, etc. using your DNS records.
Congratulations! You have successfully bought a domain name in Kenya. You can now start building your website and growing your online presence
Step 7: Build Your Website
If you plan to use your domain name with a functional website, you will next build your website. You will need to find a separate company to host the website if your registrar doesn’t provide both services. And if you lack coding experience, you may want to use a drag-and-drop website builder such as Weebly, Squarespace or Wix to build your website.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions that people ask when buying a domain name in Kenya:
- How long does it take to buy a domain name in Kenya?
It usually takes a few minutes to buy a domain name in Kenya if you pay online and use an instant activation service. However, some domain registrars may take longer to process your order or verify your payment.
Some domain extensions may also require manual approval from the domain registry before they are activated. In general, it should not take more than 24 hours to buy a domain name in Kenya
- How Much Does a Domain Name Cost in Kenya?
The cost of buying a domain name in Kenya depends on the domain extension you choose and the domain registrar you use. Different extensions have different prices and renewal fees. Different registrars may also offer different discounts or promotions. In general, you can expect to pay between Ksh 760 and Ksh 5000 per year for a domain name in Kenya.
- How do I renew my domain name in Kenya?
You need to renew your domain name in Kenya before it expires to avoid losing it or paying extra fees. You can renew your domain name through the same domain registrar that you bought it from. You can also set up automatic renewal or transfer your domain name to another registrar if you are not satisfied with their service or price.
- How do I protect my domain name in Kenya?
You can protect your domain name in Kenya from unauthorized access or transfer by using various security features, such as:
Use private who.is records:This is a service that hides your personal and contact information from the public or being exposed from spammers.
- What are the different types of .ke domain names and how much do they cost?
There are different types of .ke domain names depending on the purpose and category of your website. They are:
- .co.ke: for commercial entities
- .or.ke: for non-commercial organizations
- .ne.ke: for network devices
- .go.ke: for government entities
- .ac.ke: for academic institutions
- .sc.ke: for lower and middle institutes of learning
- .me.ke: for personal names
- .mobi.ke: for mobile content
- .info.ke: for information
The cost of registering a .ke domain name varies depending on the registrar and the type of domain name. You can check the prices of different registrars on KeNIC’s website
- How do I renew my domain name in Kenya?
Conclusion
Registering a domain name is a crucial step in creating an online presence for your business. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to search, register, and buy a domain name in Kenya. Remember to choose a domain name that’s easy to remember, reflects your brand, and is available across social media platforms.
