How to Register a Domain Name in Zimbabwe

Online presence has become essential for businesses that want to remain competitive in today’s digital world. 

Registering a domain name is the first step for those wanting to establish their website in Zimbabwe. 

With 4.65 million internet users in Zimbabwe as of January 2022, you will be out of business soon if you are not online?‍♀️.

This article provides clear steps to register a domain name to get your business up and running quickly and easily.

Quick Summary:

• In Zimbabwe, registering a domain involves selecting the desired domain name and then checking its availability with a certified registrar like ZISPA (Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association).
• After finding an available domain, one must pay registration fees, which usually last 1 year, depending on the registrar’s policies.
• Once payment is made, your chosen domain will be registered in minutes allowing you to build up your online presence quickly and easily. 

What is a Domain Name? 

A domain name is a unique identifier used to locate a website on the Internet.

It is the address where users can access a website, and it helps people easily find websites instead of having to remember the numerical IP address associated with it. 

Think of it this way; you have a house and an address. 

Without the address, no one can find your house.

The house is your website, and the address is the domain name?.

Domain names typically include two parts: A top-level domain (TLD) and a second-level domain (SLD). 

The TLD indicates the type of organization or purpose of the website, such as .com for commercial sites or .org for non-profit organizations. 

After the TLD comes the SLD, which reflects an individual, business, or organization name. 

For example, an online store might have a domain name like www.exampleonlineStore.com, where “exampleonlineStore” is its SLD. 

What’s Domain Registration?

Domain registration is the process of reserving a website name that is specific to your business. 

It allows you to create an identity on the web, making it easier for customers and potential partners to find you. 

By registering a domain name, you have exclusive rights over that particular domain name and can use it as the address for your website or other online services.

Now, once a domain name is registered, it cannot be reregistered by someone else, unless the current owner fails to renew it after the billing period (often 1 year).

Why Should You Do It?  

Registering a domain name in Zimbabwe is a great way to ensure that your website or brand is protected and available for customers. 

Having a domain name provides legitimacy and assists in creating an easy-to-remember web address for your business or organization. 

Here are some of the benefits of registering a domain name in Zimbabwe: 

• Allows you to have control over the registered name. No one else can register the same name as yours, so you must pick something unique and memorable. This will help ensure that customers can find your website when searching on search engines quickly. 
• Registering a domain name will give your website an international presence which can be beneficial as you expand into other markets. It also gives you credibility among potential customers and partners who may view this registration as proof of legitimacy and trustworthiness. 
• Having a domain name in Zimbabwe will give you access to the .zw Top Level Domain, which is beneficial for companies that are targeting users from this region. 
• It also provides an easy way to create emails tied directly to your website address so customers can easily reach out with inquiries or comments about products and services. This makes it easier to keep track of customer interactions and feedback than if they were using generic email accounts like Gmail or Hotmail. 

Who is a Domain Registrar?

A domain registrar is a company or organization authorized to manage the reservation of internet domain names. 

See, when you register a domain name in Zimbabwe, you are essentially reserving the right to use that domain for a specific period, typically one year. 

The registrar is responsible for maintaining a record of all registered domain names and the associated contact and technical information.

Now, registrars in Zimbabwe (or anywhere in the world) are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is the organization that coordinates the assignment of unique internet identifiers, including domain names and IP addresses. 

There are many domain registrars to choose from, and you can usually register a domain name through your web hosting company or directly through a registrar.

A good example is Truehost Cloud!

And I will show you how to use get a website on Truehost.co.za.

Types of Domains in Zimbabwe

There are several types of domains:

• Top-level domains (TLDs): These are the highest level of domain names and are used to identify the type of organization or entity the website belongs to. Some examples of TLDs include .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, .uk, and .io.
• Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs): These are TLDs specific to a particular country or territory. Examples of ccTLDs include .zw (Zimbabwe), .za (South Africa), .us (United States), .ca (Canada), .au (Australia), .in (India), and .cn (China).
• Generic top-level domains (gTLDs): These are TLDs that are not specific to a particular country or territory but rather are used for a specific purpose or industry. Examples of gTLDs include .info, .biz, .pro, and .co.
• Second-level domains: These are the domain names that come immediately before the TLD. For example, in the domain name “www.example.com,” “example” is the second-level domain.
• Subdomains: These are domain names that are added to the beginning of a second-level domain. They are often used to organize different website sections or create separate sites for different purposes. For example, “blog.example.com” could be a subdomain of “example.com.”

This subtopic is huge, and we won’t go into detail in this guide. Instead, we will have a dedicated guide to take you through each.

Go read it here.

That said, let’s see how to register a domain name in Zimbabwe.

Domain Registration Steps in Zimbabwe 

1. Choose a Domain Name 

Before you register a website name, you first have to pick one.

Your domain name will be the address people use to find your website, so it is essential to choose one that is easy to remember and relevant to your business or organization. 

Here are some tips for selecting the best domain name: 

• Consider what keywords you would like associated with your site. A good domain name should include those words for customers to easily find you on search engines. 
• Make sure you pick something that can be easily spelled and remembered. 
• Choose a unique web address so potential customers don’t end up at someone else’s website by mistake. 
• Be creative, but keep it simple. 
• Make sure to research any potential trademarks before registering a domain name. 
• Avoid using hyphens and numbers, as they can be confusing for visitors. 
• Check for the availability of the domain name before registering. I will show you that in a second.

2. Select a Domain Registrar 

Most local companies offer a range of services and features, making selecting the best option for your specific needs easy. 

First, consider which type of domain you need. 

Will you be registering an existing top-level domain, such as .com or a country-specific one, such as .zw? 

Different companies may specialize in different types of domains, so make sure to check that they offer what you are looking for. 

While at it, research their customer service record by reading online reviews and asking any tech-savvy friends for recommendations.

When you have narrowed down your choices, compare prices between companies before making a final decision. 

Be sure to ask about any hidden fees or additional costs associated with registration and renewal dates—these can add up quickly if not accounted for in advance! 

3. Search Availability

Now that you have picked a registrar, it is time to get down to business.

In this example, I will be using Truehost.co.za, one of the fastest-growing domains and web hosting companies.

To get started, head over to https://truehost.co.za/ and click Domains then Domain Search.

The next step is to type the name you’d wish to register into the box provided and hit search.

What it does here is to check if your preferred domain name is already registered by someone else.

Remember, you cannot register an existing website name. For example, if you try to register facebook.com, it tells you it is ‘unavailable.’

Why?

Because it is an already existing website and trademark of Meta!

So, if your website name is available, add it to the cart.

And see the price: R145, which is about 2,752 Zimbabwean Dollars.

NOTE:

There are other popular extensions you can use.

And even more suggested domains.

4. Enter Domain Name Details 

The next step is to checkout your order.

If you don’t have hosting (where your website files will live online), add on this page.

You can add these add-ons, they are free.

And once satisfied, click ‘Checkout Now.’

You are almost done.

Create an account by filling in the form and providing all the necessary details.

5. Pay for Domain Registration 

Pay for your order using your chosen method to complete the domain name registration process.

Truehost Cloud supports more than 3 payment methods.

Once paid, you will receive details of your new domain in the email used to create an account.

Domain Prices in Zimbabwe

To own a domain, there’s a price to pay. Here’s a table showing domain prices in Zimbabwe.

Note: Prices are in South African Rand.

Domain Pricing

Related:

• A Guide to Different Types of Web Hosting in Zimbabwe
• How To Find a Reliable Web Hosting Provider in Zimbabwe