Domain name registrars are companies that handle the registration and leasing of domain names on a large scale. They serve as intermediaries between registries, which administer top-level domains like .fr Or .comand users wishing to reserve or rent a domain.
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What is the difference between a domain name registrar and a domain registry?
| Domain Name Registrar | Domain Registry |
|---|---|
| Accredited organization responsible for marketing domain names to end users on behalf of registries | Central entity responsible for registering and managing TLD domains in the DNS (Domain Name System) |
| Acts as a commercial intermediary | Delegates marketing rights and use of TLDs to registrars (no direct contact with end users) |
| Manages billing for domains sold and may offer additional support services | May operate a registrar as a subsidiary, but does not provide commercial or competitive domain assignment |
| Serves as a contractual partner for end users and may be an affiliate of a registry | Responsible for administrative management, allocation of available or reserved domain names, as well as WHOIS servers |
The registration, organization and coordination of domains takes place at several levels. At the head of the system is theICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Through its sub-organization IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority), ICANN supervises and administers the Top-Level-Domains (TLDs) like .fr Or .com.
ICANN does not directly assign domains to end users. She only entrusts the right of use from TLDs to domain registries, also called Network Information Centers (NIC). The registers then take care of the marketing of domains in collaboration with registrars. They also maintain a registry of which end users or organizations the domains belong to. When a domain registration is made, the registrar notifies the relevant registry.
An example:
- Registering a domain ending with
.fris carried out via the AFNIC register (French Association for Internet Naming in Cooperation). - The domain name registrar with whom you reserve your domain informs AFNIC of this registration and pays it a fee for the management of the domain.
- The registrar then passes this fee on to the domain fees.
Note
Although we often talk about buying a domain, it is actually a rental. When you register a domain, the registry grants you a right of use as long as you pay a monthly or annual fee for the upkeep, management, maintenance and associated services
How to become a domain name registrar?
To become a domain name registrar, you must first obtain accreditation from ICANN. The process takes place in several stages:
- Complete and submit the accreditation form of ICANN
- Have your information verified by ICANN (including financial status, technical infrastructure, scalability and DNS configuration)
- Sign and transmit the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA)
- Sign and transmit the Registrar Data Escrow Agreement (RDE) via an ICANN-approved data escrow agent
- Pay accreditation fees
- Receive official confirmation of accreditation
Once accreditation is validated, you are recognized by ICANN as a domain name registrar. You can then market domain names to domain holders in collaboration with the competent registries. For example, for domains in .frthe responsible register is AFNIC.
What aspects characterize good domain name registrars?
To evaluate the trustworthiness of a domain name registrar, pay particular attention to the following points:
- Price : The costs of creating a website include, in addition to hosting and design, domain fees. Good registrars generally offer tiered pricing models with an attractive entry price. Typically, the cost of registering a domain is in the low double-digit range.
- Free WHOIS protection: domain holders must, in accordance with ICANN rules, enter their contact details in the WHOIS database (name, address, telephone, email). To protect domain privacy, a reputable registrar should offer free WHOIS protection.
- Flexible check-in periods: the duration of use of a domain can vary greatly, from a few weeks to several years. A good registrar must therefore allow flexible registration durations, ranging from a few months to several years.
- Automatic renewals and reminders: For domains reserved over several years, the registrar should offer automatic renewal options. Additional reminders alert users of contract renewal and facilitate termination if it is no longer desired.
- Wide choice of TLDs: classic extensions include
.fr,.orgOr.combut there are many other options like.infoOr.net. A good registrar must therefore offer a wide choice of TLDs in order to meet all needs. - Restricted areas: some domain extensions, like
.biz(for business), are subject to specific conditions, for example commercial use. Trusted registrars must also offer these TLDs when the conditions are met. - Other products and services: To simplify the management of a web project, it is advantageous to choose a registrar offering all-in-one solutions. These may include hosting, TLS encryption, website creation, or registering multiple domains.
Beware of domain name registrars with the following characteristics
To quickly identify unreliable domain name registrars, pay attention to the following signals, which often indicate poor quality services:
- Opaque pricing: Costs presented unclearly or ambiguously on the offer page are generally a bad sign. Always check the fine print, which may hide additional charges or unfavorable terms.
- Poor customer service: a good registrar should provide clear and easily accessible support. If customer service is missing from the offer page or is insufficient when you ask questions, it is better to turn to another supplier.
- Confusing user interface: A complicated or messy interface inspires little confidence and reflects a lack of overall quality. Favor intuitive, clear and well-designed interfaces.
- Unwanted additional benefits: some registrars automatically add services like hosting when ordering, which increases the final price. Before validating, make sure that all included services are explicitly listed and that nothing has been added without your consent.
There are many domain name registrars today. Here's an overview to help you choose one of the best registrars:
- IONOS: over 600 top-level domains, flexible contract durations between 12 and 24 months, attractive entry prices and simple registration. IONOS also offers many additional services such as an SSL certificate, hosting, SEO optimization, email boxes, enhanced data protection and website editors.
- STRATO: STRATO offers hundreds of top-level domains, flexible registration durations (one month or several years), as well as included services such as hosting, website editors, dedicated web space and email boxes.
- united-domains: with a contract duration of 12 months, united-domains offers over 1,000 top-level domains, with the option to add hosting and email boxes.
- InternetX: with a contract of at least 12 months, domain holders ofInternetX can choose from over 1,000 top-level domains and access additional benefits such as 24/7 emergency support, reseller service and a professional hosting environment.
