Renewal price: why a cheap domain gets more expensive in year two
3 min read
A domain for $7 looks like a good deal until it is time to renew. With the .site TLD the first year costs $7, and every year after that costs $67. This is neither a mistake nor a hidden fee: it is how registries of new TLDs attract registrations.
Where the difference comes from
The price is set by the TLD registry. It gives a discount on the first year and earns on renewals: the site is already running, the links are in place, and nobody wants to move to another name. So when you choose a TLD, look at the second number, not the first.
What three years add up to
The first year plus two renewals, at prices from our catalog.
| TLD | First year | Renewal | Three years |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $40 | $40 | $120 |
| .net | $40 | $40 | $120 |
| .top | $5 | $12 | $29 |
| .xyz | $6 | $30 | $66 |
| .site | $7 | $67 | $141 |
| .io | $100 | $185 | $470 |
Over three years .site costs $141 and .com $120, though .site starts out much cheaper.
What to do about it
If you need a domain for a couple of months, for a test or a short campaign, take a TLD with a cheap first year and do not renew it.
If the project is long‑term, work out the cost over three years. With .com the renewal price equals the registration price: nothing changes in the second year.
In the TLD catalog both prices are shown side by side, and the list can be sorted by renewal price. We remind you 30 and 7 days before the term ends, and no money is charged automatically.