When obtaining a Domain Name, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you choose the right Domain for your needs.
• Brand Alignment: Choose a Domain Name that aligns with your brand or business name.
• Keyword Inclusion: Consider including relevant keywords that reflect your business or services to improve search engine visibility.
• Domain Availability: Ensure the Domain Name you want is available for registration.
• Similar or Confusing Names: Avoid Domain Names that are too similar to existing Domains and/or other brand names to prevent confusion or legal issues.
• Short and Simple: Opt for a Domain Name that is short, easy to spell, and easy to remember.
• Avoid Special Characters: where possible limit the use of hyphens or numbers to avoid confusion; special characters such as !, $ or % are not permitted – only alphanumeric characters can be used.
• Relevant Extension: Choose the appropriate Domain extension that reflects your business or region. .ae has a number of types that are eligible for different applicants, all of which should be registered in the UAE:
• .ae: Open for all
• .co.ae: Businesses
• .net.ae: Information Communication Technology businesses
• .org.ae: Not For Profit Organizations/Charities
• .sch.ae: Schools
• .ac.ae: Educational Facilities
• .gov.ae: Government
• .mil.ae: Government
• Trademark Check: Ensure the Domain Name doesn't infringe on existing trademarks and brand names to avoid legal issues.
• Registration Rules: Check the registration rules and restrictions specific to the Domain extension you are interested in.
• Registration and Renewal Fees: Consider the cost of registration and renewal fees for the Domain.
• Additional Services: Some registrars offer additional services like Domain privacy, email hosting, and website builders. Consider these services if needed.
• Future Growth: Choose a Domain Name that allows room for your business to grow and expand without limiting your online presence.
• Protect Your Brand: Consider registering multiple extensions other than .ae to protect your brand and prevent competitors from registering similar Domains. Consider using redirects from Domain Name similar to yours. For example, for Museum of the Future, motf.ae and museumofthefuture.ae redirect to the same website.
Registering a Domain Name for your website involves several steps. This step-by-step guide is how the process looks in general.
The exact workings of each step depends on the services you wish to use the Domain Name with, namely website and email, as well as the DNR you choose to host and maintain the Domain Name. Website builders and email hosts will have their own guides to how you can connect the Domain Name to them.
• Brainstorm Ideas: Think of a few Domain Name options that are relevant to your website's purpose, easy to remember, and reflect your brand.
• Check Availability: Use TDRA’s Domain Name search tool to check if your chosen Domain Names are available for registration.
• Compare Registrars: Research and compare different Domain registrars that show up in your search to find one that offers the best services, pricing, and customer support.
• Additional Services: Consider whether you need any additional services such as Domain privacy, email hosting, or website building tools.
• Visit Registrar Website: Go to the website of your chosen Domain registrar.
• Select: Find your chosen Domain Name on the DNR and add it to your cart.
• Complete Registration: Follow the prompts to complete the registration process, providing the necessary information and payment details.
• Registrant Information: Provide accurate contact information including your name, address, email, and phone number. This information will be listed in the public WHOIS database.
• Additional Contacts: Some registrars allow you to add additional contacts like administrative, technical, and billing contacts.
• Select Registration Length: Choose the registration period for your Domain Name, which can range from 1 to 5 years depending on the registrar and Domain extension.
• Set Renewal Preferences: Decide whether you want to enable auto-renewal to ensure your Domain doesn't expire.
• Review Details: Double-check all the information you've provided for accuracy.
• Confirm Registration: Complete the registration process by confirming your purchase.
• Access Control Panel: After registration, you'll receive login details to access your Domain control panel.
• Set Name Servers: Update the Domain's DNS settings to point to your web hosting provider if you have one.
• Domain Privacy: Consider enabling Domain privacy to protect your personal information from being publicly accessible in the WHOIS database.
• Email and Website Hosting: If your registrar offers hosting services, you can set up email accounts and a website for your Domain.
• Renew Your Domain: Renew your Domain registration before it expires to avoid losing ownership. Many DNRs offer automatic renewal and will inform you when the expiration date is coming up.
• Market Surveillance: Look through the web to spot any potential signs of infringement or copying.
.ae Domain Names can be registered for a period of 1-5 years and following a certain lifecycle:
This is when the Domain Name is registered under your name.
This is where the Domain Name is registered under your ownership
You have 3 days to cancel the Domain, this is where your money is still refundable.
The official registration period begins, which is typically 1-10 years as per your preference and the term purchased on the registration/renewal of the Domain Name.
The date which your Domain Name expires
You have 30 days from the expiration date to renew your Domain Name.
This is where the Domain Name is officially taken back by the DNR and any connections and personal details to it are deleted.
