A .com domain can cost as little as £1 for the first year, but the average .com domain price in the UK can vary widely depending on the provider. Domain providers commonly advertise very different introductory offers and renewal prices, often with the option of bundled hosting and email packages too. This means a domain that costs £1 today may cost considerably more to keep each year afterwards.
Ultimately, the renewal price is just as important as the price you see when you first search for a domain. So, if you’re looking to buy a .com domain, here’s what you need to check before you register.
How much does a .com domain cost in the UK?
The cost of a .com domain varies between providers and offers. In the UK, you’ll commonly see introductory prices of under £10 for the first year, whereas standard renewal prices can be considerably higher – around £12 to £20 on average.
For example, Fasthosts currently charges just £1 excluding VAT for the first year of a .com domain under our introductory offer, which is limited to 2 domains per new customer, but applies to multi-year registrations. The standard renewal price is £16.92 excluding VAT per year.
Remember that VAT also affects what you actually pay. At the current 20% VAT rate, £1 excluding VAT is £1.20 including VAT, and a £16.92 renewal price is £20.30 including VAT.
Cost to check
Why it matters
First-year price
Shows what you pay when you initially register the domain
Renewal price
Shows the recurring annual cost after the introductory period
VAT
Tells you the final amount you will actually pay
Registration period
Some offers have conditions around the length of registration
Included features
Shows what you can use without paying for additional services
Optional extras
Helps you identify products added to your basket during checkout
The most useful comparison is therefore not simply “How cheap is this .com domain?” but “How much will this .com domain cost me over several years?” – especially if you choose to add bundled extras (more on this later).
Why is a .com domain more expensive after the first year?
Many domain providers use introductory pricing to make domain registration cheaper for new customers. The discounted price applies for an initial registration period (usually one year), after which the domain renews at the standard price.
This is common across the domain industry. The important thing is that the introductory price should not be confused with the long-term cost of owning the domain. Prices can change over time, so always check the current renewal price before registering.
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Tip: If you’re buying a domain for a business, project or long-term website, the renewal price is often more useful than the introductory price when comparing providers.
What affects the price of a .com domain?
The .com domain extension itself is only one part of the price you see. Domain providers can set their customer-facing prices based on their costs, services and promotional offers. The main things to look at are:
First-year promotional pricing
A provider may offer a .com domain at a heavily discounted rate for the first year. This can make it inexpensive to buy a domain name in the first place, but you should always check what happens when the initial registration period ends, as you’ll need to renew your domain each year to retain it.
Renewal pricing
The renewal price is what you pay to keep your .com domain registered after the introductory period (which is usually the first year). If you intend to keep the domain for several years, this is one of the most important figures to compare.
VAT
Prices displayed excluding VAT will be higher when VAT is added at checkout. Businesses that are VAT registered may account for VAT differently, but consumers should check the VAT-inclusive total before paying.
Registration terms
Some promotional domain prices have conditions attached. For example, Fasthosts’ current £1 .com offer is limited to two domains per new customer and applies to multi-year registrations. Always check the small print to ensure you’re comparing providers based on all the facts available.
Additional services
A domain name is the unique address people use to reach your website. It does not automatically mean you have a website, hosting account or business email mailbox.
Therefore, depending on what you’re building, you may need additional services alongside your domain. For example, if you’re creating a website for your new business, you’ll also need web hosting services alongside your domain name in order to actually host the website itself, and you’ll likely want email hosting as well to set up your new business email.
One option is to purchase all these services separately, but many new business owners find it easier and more cost-effective to choose a bundled service with the same provider, keeping all of their web services together in one place. This will also mean you can manage your domain, email and web hosting from the same control panel. Just remember to factor in these costs in the long term (beyond the introductory period) to get an accurate picture of what your annual website costs will be.
What do you get when you buy a .com domain?
When you buy a .com domain, you’re registering the right to use that domain name for the registration period. You can then use it as the address for a website, configure DNS records, forward visitors to another website or use it as part of a business email setup.
At Fasthosts, .com domains include complete DNS control, unlimited email forwarding and free web forwarding, with the option to combine your new domain name with our web and email hosting packages. However, the domain itself is separate from the services that sit behind it.
This is why the cheapest possible domain isn’t necessarily the cheapest complete setup. Compare what’s included with the domain and what you’ll need to purchase separately. Does your chosen provider offer discounts for bundled domain and hosting deals, or will you have to pay separately – and potentially end up paying more for the “cheap” provider compared to the all-inclusive option?
Is .com a good choice for a UK business?
A .com domain can be a good choice for a UK business, particularly if you want to appeal to customers outside the UK or build a brand that’s not tied to one country.
The .com extension is globally recognised and is used by businesses and organisations around the world. It can therefore make sense if you expect your business to grow internationally. However, a .co.uk domain may be more suitable if your business is specifically focused on the UK and you want your location to be immediately clear from your web address.
You don’t necessarily have to choose only one. Some businesses register both the .com and .co.uk versions of their name (in addition to any other country code TLDs that are relevant to their brand and audience) and use one as their primary website address while forwarding the other to it. The right choice depends on your audience, brand and future plans for the website.
What should you check before you buy a .com domain?
Before you buy a .com domain, check more than whether your preferred name is available:
Check the renewal price
This is the most important long-term cost. A low first-year offer is useful, but you should know what you’ll pay when the domain renews.
Check whether VAT is included
A price shown excluding VAT will be lower than the amount charged to a UK consumer. Check the final price before completing the order.
Check the registration terms
Some promotional prices have restrictions on who qualifies and how long the initial registration must be. Read the offer conditions before purchasing.
Check what features are included
Look at whether the domain includes DNS management, forwarding and other basic domain management tools. This helps you understand what you’re actually paying for.
Check that the name is right
Once you’ve registered a domain, changing your mind can be more complicated than simply changing a product in your shopping basket. Check the spelling, extension and business name carefully before completing the registration.
It’s also worth considering whether your domain will still make sense if your business expands into new products/services or locations. For more guidance on getting this step right, make sure you check out our top tips on how to choose a domain name.
Can you buy a .com domain without hosting?
Yes – you can buy a .com domain without purchasing web hosting. This can be useful if you’ve found the right domain name but aren’t ready to build your website yet. Registering it first means someone else can’t take the name whilst you’re still in the planning stage. You can then add hosting later when you’re ready to build the site.
If you already have a website elsewhere, you can also configure your .com domain to point towards it using DNS settings or forwarding, depending on how your website is hosted.
No – just like with the hosting example, you can buy a .com domain without setting up email. However, if the domain is for a business, you may eventually want a professional email address using the same domain. For example, a business using example.com could create an address such as hello@example.com.
A domain and an email mailbox are separate things. Registering example.com gives you control of the domain, but a mailbox normally requires an email service.
Email forwarding is another option. This can direct messages sent to addresses at your domain to an existing inbox without necessarily providing a separate mailbox.
How long does a .com domain last?
A .com domain is registered for a specific period, commonly one year, although longer registration periods may be available.
You’ll need to renew the domain before it expires if you want to continue using it. If a domain expires, its website and email services can be affected, and eventually the domain may become available for someone else to register.
For an important business domain, automatic renewal can help prevent accidental expiry. You should also keep the payment details and account information associated with the domain up to date.
Can you transfer a .com domain to another provider?
Yes – .com domains can generally be transferred between providers, subject to the applicable domain transfer rules and any restrictions that may apply to the particular registration. However, be aware that the domain transfer and website migration are separate processes, so moving your domain doesn’t automatically move your website or email.
If you transfer a .com domain, check that you have access to the account managing the domain and understand the transfer requirements before starting the process. You should also consider the timing of the transfer if the domain is close to expiry.
Is it worth buying a .com domain for several years?
Yes, it can be – particularly if you know you’ll use the domain for a long-term project or business. A longer registration period means fewer renewal dates to remember, and it can give you more certainty about the domain for the period you’ve registered it.
However, don’t register for several years purely because an introductory offer looks cheap. Check the terms of the offer, the total cost and the price that will apply when the domain eventually renews. For a business domain, the key question is whether the name is valuable enough to your brand that you want to secure it for the foreseeable future.
Buy a .com domain with Fasthosts
If you’ve found the right name, you can buy a .com domain from Fasthosts for the low price of £1 for the first year under the current introductory offer, with renewal currently just £16.92 per year (excluding VAT).
Plus, Fasthosts provides domain management tools including complete DNS control, unlimited email forwarding and free web forwarding. You can also add services such as web hosting, hosting for WordPress or business email when you’re ready to build your website, making it as simple as possible to start your own online business and manage everything from the same control panel. Alternatively, you can get started with our web hosting packages first, which all include at least one FREE domain name (including .com, .uk, .co.uk and .online domain extensions).
The price varies by provider and promotion. At Fasthosts, a .com domain currently costs £1 for the first year under the introductory offer, then £16.92 per year excluding VAT when renewed. The current offer has eligibility and registration conditions, so check the latest price before buying.
How much is a .com domain for one year?
A .com domain can cost around £1 for the first year under an introductory offer, although prices vary between providers. The renewal price is usually higher, so check both the first-year and standard annual prices before registering.
Is .com more expensive than .co.uk?
Not necessarily. Domain prices depend on the provider and the promotion available. At Fasthosts, the current first-year introductory price for both .com and .co.uk is £1 excluding VAT, but the current standard renewal prices are £16.92 for .com and £12.83 for .co.uk.
Although .com domains are usually more expensive due to higher global demand, it’s important to carefully compare all of the deals and promotions you can get before making your decision. It’s also important to consider your audience, brand identity and future business plans before choosing a domain extension or registering multiple domains.
Can I buy a .com domain without hosting?
Yes – you can register a .com domain without buying web hosting. You can add hosting later when you’re ready to build your website.
Can I buy a .com domain for my business?
Yes. A .com domain can be used by businesses of any size, but it’s particularly useful for businesses that want a globally recognised domain extension or may expand beyond the UK.
Is .com a good domain extension?
.com is an internationally recognised domain extension and is therefore a strong choice for many businesses, personal websites, online services and organisations. However, the best extension for you depends on your audience, brand and geographical focus – and remember you can register multiple domains if needed.
Does buying a .com domain include a website?
No. Buying a domain registers the web address, but it doesn’t automatically provide a website. You’ll normally need web hosting, hosting for WordPress, a website builder or another platform to create and host your website.
Does buying a .com domain include email?
Not necessarily. A domain can be used with email, but sending and receiving messages from a professional mailbox normally requires an email hosting service. Some providers offer email forwarding as part of their domain services, so always check the small print.
Does a .com domain renew automatically?
Domains can usually be configured for automatic renewal, depending on the provider. Automatic renewal can help prevent an important domain from expiring accidentally, but you should always keep your payment details up to date and check the renewal price to avoid any nasty surprises.
Can I transfer my .com domain to another provider?
Yes, .com domains can generally be transferred between providers, as long as the domain meets the applicable transfer requirements. Transferring a domain is separate from moving the website or email services associated with it.
Should I buy the .com and .co.uk versions of my domain?
If both are available and the name is important to your brand, registering both can be useful. A UK-focused business might use the .co.uk domain as its main address and redirect the .com to it to capture traffic from users who accidentally type .com into the search bar, whereas an internationally focused business might choose .com as its primary domain.
What should I check before I buy a .com domain?
Check that the domain name is available and correctly spelled, then compare the first-year price, renewal price, VAT, registration terms and included features. If you’re buying it for a business, also consider whether the name will continue to suit your brand as the business grows.
