How to Register a Domain Name in India: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

.in vs .com vs .co.in: Which to Choose?

Our recommendation for most Mumbai businesses: Get both .com and .in. Register your primary website on .com (it's more universally trusted for email, and future-proofs international expansion), and point the .in domain to the same site. Total cost is ₹1,400–₹2,200 per year and you protect your brand on both extensions.

How to Choose a Good Domain Name

Your domain name should be:

• Short: Under 15 characters if possible. Every extra character increases the chance of a typing error.
• Memorable: Avoid numbers (5) and hyphens (brand-name.com). These cause confusion when spoken aloud.
• Easy to spell: If you have to spell out your domain every time you say it, it's too complicated. Avoid unusual spellings like "kool" for "cool".
• Brand-first: Your domain should ideally be your brand name (akham.in), not a keyword-stuffed phrase (mumbai-best-dsc-provider.com). Keyword domains look spammy and don't provide the SEO advantage they once did.
• No trademark conflicts: Before registering, search the brand name you want on India's IP India portal (ipindia.gov.in) to ensure you're not accidentally using a trademarked term.

If your desired name is taken: Try .in instead of .com, add a small modifier ("getbrandname.com", "brandnameindia.com", "brandnameofficial.in"), or consider a completely different but memorable brand name.

Step-by-Step Domain Registration Process

1. Choose a registrar: In India, reputable registrars include GoDaddy, Bigrock, Namecheap, ResellerClub, and Akham Digital. Avoid unknown registrars with suspiciously cheap first-year pricing — check renewal costs before committing.
2. Search for your domain: Enter your desired name and check availability. If unavailable, the registrar will suggest alternatives.
3. Check renewal prices: Many registrars offer ₹99 first-year promotions on .com domains that renew at ₹1,200+. Always check the renewal price before purchasing.
4. Add WHOIS privacy protection: This is essential (explained below). Add it at checkout — it's usually ₹200–₹500/year or included free with some registrars.
5. Complete payment: UPI, credit/debit card, or net banking are accepted by all major registrars.
6. Verify your email: ICANN requires email verification within 15 days of registration. Failure to verify can result in domain suspension.
7. Store your login credentials safely: Loss of access to your registrar account can mean losing control of your domain. Use a password manager.

WHOIS Privacy: Why You Need It

When you register a domain, your name, address, phone number, and email are published in the publicly accessible WHOIS database — anyone can look up who owns any domain. Without WHOIS privacy protection:

• You'll receive spam calls from web design agencies, SEO vendors, and hosting companies within days of registration
• Your personal address is publicly accessible worldwide
• Your email address will be scraped and added to spam lists
• Domain hijacking attempts (social engineering attacks) become easier when criminals know your details

WHOIS privacy replaces your personal details in the public database with the registrar's privacy service details. Your domain still works perfectly — only your personal information is hidden. The cost is ₹200–₹500/year at most registrars, or free with Namecheap and Akham-registered domains.

Domain Renewal: Avoiding Expensive Mistakes

Domain renewal is where many Indian businesses get caught out:

• Don't let it expire: An expired domain enters a grace period, then a redemption period (where recovering it costs ₹5,000–₹15,000+), then deletion. Deleted domains can be snapped up by domain squatters who then sell them back at extortionate prices.
• Enable auto-renewal: Most registrars offer auto-renewal with a saved payment method. Enable it, but also set a calendar reminder — if the payment fails and you miss the email, you could lose your domain.
• Register for multiple years: Registering for 2–3 years upfront reduces the risk of forgetting to renew and can be slightly cheaper than annual renewals.
• Keep registrar account contact details updated: If your email address changes and renewal reminders go to an old address, you may not receive expiry warnings.

Common Domain Mistakes Indian Businesses Make

Domain Cost Comparison (2026)

Akham registers .com domains from ₹799/year and .in from ₹649/year, with WHOIS privacy included at no extra cost. We register in your name, under your account — you always own your domain.