DomainsNames.in

How to buy a domain name in India (step by step)

To buy a domain name in India: search for the name, add it to your cart at a registrar, pay by UPI, card or net banking, then finish the KYC identity check. You'll own it for the years you paid for, and can renew it every year.

Step 1: Pick and search for your name

Use the search on our home page to see which extensions are free. If you're stuck, try the generator. Read how to choose a domain name first; it's the step people regret skipping.

Step 2: Choose a registrar

A registrar is the company that registers the name for you, like GoDaddy, Hostinger, BigRock, Namecheap or Spaceship. Compare the renewal price, not just the first-year offer. Our registrar comparison explains what to look for.

Step 3: Create an account in your own name

Use your own name (or your company's) and an email address you'll always have. This is legally the owner of the domain, called the registrant. If a web designer buys it for you, ask them to register it in your name.

Step 4: Pay

Indian registrars accept UPI, debit and credit cards, net banking and wallets. Expect 18% GST to be added to the listed price. Paying for two or more years can lock in the price.

Step 5: Complete KYC (for .in names)

NIXI, which runs .in, requires the owner's identity to be verified soon after registration. GoDaddy, for example, asks for it within 7 days and uses Aadhaar, and the name on the domain has to match your ID exactly. If you don't finish it, the domain can be suspended and your website and email stop working.

Watch your inbox after buying. You'll get emails to verify your email address and complete KYC. Do both the same day.

Step 6: Turn on auto-renew and the transfer lock

Auto-renew stops you losing the name if a payment slips. The transfer lock (often called "registrar lock") prevents anyone moving the domain without your approval.

Step 7: Connect it to your website and email

Point the domain at your website by changing its name servers or adding DNS records your web host gives you. For a professional email like you@yourname.in, connect it to an email service such as Google Workspace or Zoho Mail. Changes usually work within an hour, occasionally up to 24 hours.

How much will it cost?

A .in name typically costs about ₹550–₹900 a year at well-known registrars, plus GST, with first-year deals as low as ₹99. A .com costs a bit more. See the full domain price guide.

Questions people ask

Can I buy a domain without a website?

Yes. Many people register a name to protect a brand or keep it for later. You can park it or forward it to your Instagram or WhatsApp Business page meanwhile.

Can I buy a domain name for free?

Some hosting plans include a free domain for the first year, but it renews at the normal price and is sometimes registered in the host's name. Read the terms carefully.

Do foreigners or NRIs need to be in India to buy .in?

.in is open to anyone worldwide, but you still have to complete the identity check your registrar asks for.

How long do I own the domain?

For as long as you keep renewing it. You can pay for 1 to 10 years at a time.

Last updated October 18, 2026.

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