When choosing a domain name, it’s important to follow the standard rules for valid characters. A proper domain name can include letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and hyphens (-). Combinations of these characters are allowed, but there are limits on length and placement.
Rules for a Valid Domain Name
- Length: Must be between 3 and 63 characters.
- Start and End: Must begin and end with a letter or number.
- Allowed Characters: Only use English letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-).
- Hyphen Restrictions: Cannot start or end with a hyphen, and cannot have consecutive hyphens (e.g., --).
- No Spaces or Underscores: Spaces (www.ab cd.com) and underscores (www.ab_cd.com) are not allowed.
Note: The registration of 2-character and single-character domains is yet to be open up to the general public and are all tagged as premium domain names, which are highly costly. You may not necessarily wait for a bidding process as it could be obtained at the Buy Now Bid price.
Important Additional Notes
- Short Domains: Single- or two-character domains are usually premium and may come with higher prices and limited availability.
- African ccTLDs: Most African ccTLDs require a minimum of 4 characters before they can be registered.
- Special Requirements: Some domains might need extra documentation and registration could take longer than a week.
Following these guidelines ensures your domain name is valid and can be successfully registered and hosted.
