Kenya domains

What is a domain name?
What are the benefits of having my own domain name?
What kinds of domain names are there?
Who can register a domain name?
What domains can I register through Webhost Kenya?
How do I register a domain name?
Why should I Register a .KE?
Can I Register anything .KE?
How do I Register a .KE Domain Name?
How long does it take to register a .KE?
How much does it cost to Register a .KE?
When do I pay for my domain name?
Can People Outside Kenya Register .KE Domains?

What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique name that identifies an Internet site. An Internet domain name is a one-of-a-kind web address that you can purchase for your organisation through Webhost Kenya .

A domain name takes the form, example.co.ke. After registering a domain name you can use it for various purposes. For instance you can have a website whose address would be www.example.co.ke. You can also get email addresses at this domain. You choose what email addresses you would like. For instance it can be info@example.co.ke, me@example.co.ke , sales@example.co.ke and so on.

What are the benefits of having my own domain name?

A domain name gives you exclusivity
Without your own domain, you don't have much of a choice. Your email and web addresses will generally be based upon the name of your host or Internet service provider, such as username@ymy-ISP-provider.co.ke and http://www.my-ISP-provider.co.ke/username/ By having your own domain name is like owning your own virtual real estate. Such exclusivity can help build name recognition for you and your company.

A domain name helps to promote your organisation and brand name
You can promote your website instead of someone else's when you're sending emails as your domain name will be in the email address, for example admin@mycomany.co.ke is helping to promote mycompany.co.ke while mycompany@my-ISP-provider.co.ke is helping to promote and brand my-ISP-provider.co.ke

Gives your business or organisation credibility
As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression," and in business, first impressions count. Having your own domain name projects a professional image of you and your company, normally associated with large companies. It tends to say to others that you're a serious business person, operating an established business, in a professional manner.
A company with a free email address such as mycompany2003@myfree-email-provider.co.ke for business purposes projects an image of not being serious and makes the recipient of email doubtful as to the authenticity of the company.

Gives your website and emails mobility
If you set up a web site without owning your own domain name, you end up using the domain name of your web host by default, http://www.my-ISP-provider.co.ke/username. Such a web address is not mobile; you can't take it with you if you ever switch to another web host.
But ownership of your own domain name gives you the option of moving your web site to another host without losing your web address.

What kinds of domain names are there?

There are country specific names such as
Company.co.ke - Kenya
Company.co.uk- United Kingdom
Company.co.ug- Uganda
Company.co.jp - Japan

General domain names are usually found with the suffix dot.com, dot.net, and dot.org.
Company.com - Commercial Entity
Company.net - Network Entitty
Company.org - Non-Profit organisation
These domain names are general and do not communicate what country or region the organization is based.

In Kenya we have the following domain names avaliable for registration specifically for organisations located in Kenya only.
•  domain-name.co.ke - for commercial Kenyan companies
•  doamin-name.ac.ke - for academic Kenyan institutions
•  domain-name.or.ke - for non profit making organizations in Kenya
•  domain-name.ne.ke - for network entities in Kenya
•  domain-name.go.ke - for Government of Kenya entities

Who can register a domain name?
Any individual, company, organisation or entity can register a domain name. However registration of Dot co.ke domains is only available to persons and organisations with a physical presence in Kenya.

What domain name can I register through Webhost Kenya?

You can register domains with any of the following extentions.

How do I register a domain name?
To register your domain name click here

What is the annual fee for a domain?
The annual renewal fee is Kshs 2900. All existing domains are subject to annual renewal fees.The Renewal date is usually in one year incremental from the date of domain registration.