How to Secure a Domain?

To secure a domain for your web projects, it must be registered under your name with a domain provider.

In general, it is only in rare cases that customers can secure a specific domain without registration. Domains can only be registered—making them yours—or left unclaimed, with the hope that no one else registers them in the meantime. Often, securing a domain is used synonymously with registering it.

If the domain is secured for future use, your online project will not be available under the predetermined domain name for some time. However, it’s recommended to host a basic webpage, such as "Under Maintenance" or "Under Construction," to ensure the domain is considered actively used. There are no regulations on how long maintenance can last.

Available domains can be found through a domain check online. These domains can then be registered and secured for personal use.

What are the exceptions for securing an internet domain?

Some major providers offer customers the option to secure popular, new Top-Level Domains (TLDs) before they are officially released. In this case, domain names are reserved for customers, and if multiple requests are made, they are stored in a waiting list. However, this process is not an official, legally binding registration. Registration is only possible after the TLD is approved by ICANN, the non-profit organization responsible for managing domain names.

Not all new domain extensions are available for pre-order. Each extension is operated by a different entity, responsible for managing it after applying for its introduction with ICANN. For instance, the .berlin extension is managed by dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG, a consortium of public institutions, foundations, cultural organizations, and associations. They manage the .berlin extension under a 10-year license and have the freedom to set rules and costs for registration.

Since new domain extensions are managed by different organizations, there is no general rule. In practice, pre-ordering a domain does not guarantee a legal right to acquire it. The only way to reliably secure a domain is to register it under your name for a fee.

How can domain names be registered?

For already released TLDs, such as the popular .de or .berlin, registration is done through the responsible organizations, such as DENIC eG or dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG. These organizations do not process individual applications but work with domain dealers or providers. To secure a domain, registration must be carried out through a dealer. The costs of this process are set based on the free market and consist of:

• Expenses for maintaining IT infrastructure and administration
• Manual and/or automated processing of the application
• Registration fees charged by the TLD manager
• Profit margins for future business development

Since domain costs vary depending on the TLD and provider, conducting a comprehensive domain comparison is worthwhile when securing a domain. Costs also depend on whether only the domain or a domain with web hosting is purchased. Website operators managing multiple online projects often already have web hosting capable of supporting additional domains. In this case, registering a new desired domain and redirecting it to the web hosting provider is typically the most cost-effective option. For new users without existing domains, a combination of web hosting and domain is often the cheapest and simplest solution. For beginners without in-depth knowledge of domain allocation and domain setup, this is also the easiest option. When domain and webspace are managed by the same provider, users don’t need to worry about redirection or technical configurations.

Is there a domain check for new domain extensions?

Every approved TLD has a database that stores all domain names with information such as the owner, administrator, and contact details. These details can be quickly and easily retrieved through a "Whois" query, reliably indicating whether a domain is already in use. A domain provider automatically checks various extensions during a domain check and displays the results clearly.

New domain extensions not yet approved by ICANN typically do not have a database for pre-orders. Domain checks for these are limited, although some providers may collaborate to create their own database for inquiries. Pre-ordered domains are recorded and registered immediately upon release.