Domain: what it costs and why it must belong to you

How much does a domain cost per year?

For most small businesses, a standard domain is inexpensive. A .de domain is often around 1 euro per month after introductory periods; .com domains are often slightly more expensive. STRATO, for example, listed .de at 1 euro per month after year one and .com at 1.80 euros per month at the time of research.

Special endings, premium domains and bundled extras can cost much more. Compare the regular second-year price including VAT and check what is included: DNS, email, SSL, redirects, support and transfer options.

• .de: often roughly 10–20 euros per year after the promotion
• .com: often roughly 15–30 euros per year
• special endings: can be much higher
• premium domains: one-off prices can be hundreds or thousands of euros

Who should be listed as domain owner?

In short: you or your company. Not the agency, not a freelancer and not a former employee. The domain holder carries the rights and duties for the domain. For .de domains, registration runs through DENIC members or providers; for you, the key point is that your provider data is correct.

For sole traders, the holder may be the individual. For a GmbH, UG, practice, law firm or partnership, the correct organisation should be listed, with a current administrative contact.

Why should the agency not own the domain?

A website can be rebuilt. An established domain cannot simply be replaced. Rankings, backlinks, email addresses, printed materials and customer habits depend on it. If the agency is the holder, disputes, termination or insolvency become a real risk.

A service provider may still set up and manage the domain. The clean model is: the customer owns it, the provider receives access only for the work needed.

Which access details should you control?

You do not need to work in the domain panel every day. But you should know where the domain is registered and how to regain access. Document the provider, customer number, login email, 2FA method and billing address.

DNS control is especially important because it determines where the website and email point. One wrong DNS change can take both offline.

• provider and customer number
• login email and secure password storage
• 2FA access or recovery codes
• DNS records or screenshots
• invoices and contract terms

How does a domain transfer with AuthInfo work?

Many domains require a transfer code when moving provider. For .de domains, this code is called AuthInfo. You request it from the current provider and enter it at the new provider. The domain stays the same; only management changes.

A domain transfer is not automatically a website migration. Website files, database, email inboxes and DNS records must be planned separately to avoid downtime.

Which mistakes cost small businesses money later?

The expensive mistake is rarely the domain fee itself. It is unclear ownership, old billing emails, missed renewal notices or mixing domain, hosting, builder and email in a way nobody can separate later.

Name issues also matter. A domain can be technically available and still conflict with trademark or name rights. If in doubt, check before publishing.

What is best practice for a new business domain?

Register the main domain under the correct holder, enable 2FA and store access safely. Choose a short, clear address. For Germany, .de is usually the natural main ending; .com can be useful as an additional safeguard.

Then connect the domain cleanly to website, SSL and email. A low-cost website only stays affordable if you do not later have to fight for your own address.