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.com is the world’s best-known domain extension. Created in 1985 as one of the very first, its name derives from the English word ‘commercial’, and today, with over 150 million registered names, it is by far the largest extension. In most people’s minds, .com is the ‘default’ extension: if someone cannot quite remember the end of a web address, they instinctively type this in.
Most Hungarian businesses rightly start out with a .hu domain, as local visitors are familiar with it and search for it. In this article, we’ll look at when it’s worth registering a .com domain alongside or instead of a .hu domain, how registration and transfer work, and what to bear in mind when the domain expires.
Why is it worth registering a .com domain?
International presence. The .com domain is not tied to any single country or language, so it is the natural choice for international customers and partners. A .hu address may be unfamiliar to international visitors and, at first glance, suggests that the website is aimed solely at a Hungarian audience.
Memorability and trust. Most people are most familiar with .com; they rarely misspell it and regard it as a long-established, reliable extension.
Brand protection. If someone else registers the .com version of your brand name, this could pose a serious problem later on: you’ll have to buy the name back at great expense, or it may be used by a competitor or, worse still, a fraudster. A .com domain has a modest yearly fee, which is a small price to pay compared to the cost of reclaiming it later.
Future expansion. Many businesses do not plan to enter foreign markets when they first start out, but end up doing so anyway. If you already own a .com domain, you can launch an English-language website under your own name straight away.
.hu or .com?
| Criteria | .hu | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Hungarian visitors | International or mixed audience |
| Search engines | A clear signal from the Hungarian market | It is not tied to any specific country; the targeting is determined by the content and the hreflang tags |
| Contact details | Some of the short names are already taken | Most short, meaningful names are already taken |
| Who can register | Individuals and companies from the EU, the EEA and neighbouring countries, and others where justified | Anyone, with no restrictions |
| Annual fee at aWh (excluding VAT) | €5.44 | €13.20 |
If you’re only operating in the Hungarian market (for example, a local service, restaurant or office), .hu is the better choice: local visitors look for this, and Google clearly associates it with the Hungarian market. It’s still worth registering the .com domain in such cases to protect your brand, and redirecting it to your main website.
If your audience is international (export, software, digital services, English-language content), .com is the primary domain. For Hungarian visitors, a .hu domain or a /hu/subdirectory may be suitable.
From an SEO perspective, the .com extension does not in itself provide an advantage in search engines. Google treats .com as a generic extension and determines which country to display the site in based on the content’s language, hreflang tags and backlinks. The benefit is indirect: a memorable, trust-inspiring address attracts more clicks and more backlinks. Our guide to choosing a domain covers how to find the perfect web address.
The process of registering a .com domain
- Search for the name in the domain search tool. Most short .com names are already taken, so be sure to come up with several alternatives.
- Check the legal page: see if there are any identical or similar registered trade marks (SZTNH, EUIPO, WIPO), as a trade mark owner could take the domain away from you through a dispute resolution (UDRP) procedure.
- Enter your real details. You do not need a Hungarian address for a .com domain; anyone can register one. According to ICANN rules, the domain holder’s email address must be verified: click on the link in the confirmation email you receive after registration, otherwise the domain may be suspended after a certain period.
- Configure your DNS: point your domain to your hosting account and set up the MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records for your email.
- Enable automatic renewal.
.com registrations are typically processed within minutes of payment, whilst DNS settings take between a few minutes and a few hours to propagate.
Duration: .com domains can be registered and renewed for 1–10 years. It is worth paying for important domains several years in advance for renewal.
Typing errors: the name of a registered domain cannot be changed, and the fee is non-refundable due to typing errors, so please check the name several times before making payment.
Data protection (WHOIS)
Domain details can be searched for in public databases (WHOIS, RDAP). Since the introduction of the GDPR, registrars have typically hidden the personal data of private individuals in public queries, whilst companies’ details remain visible. This article on domain data protection (WHOIS privacy) discusses this in detail.
Transferring your registration to aWh
You can transfer an existing .com domain to us from your current registrar:
- Lift the transfer lock with your current registrar and request the authorisation code (auth code, EPP code).
- Order your domain transfer with us and enter the code.
- The transfer usually takes a few days, and the domain’s expiry date is extended by one year.
A newly registered or recently transferred .com domain cannot usually be transferred to another registrar for 60 days. The name servers do not change during the transfer, so your website and email will continue to work as normal. You can find out more about the process in our knowledge base article on domain transfers and our transfer guide.
What happens when it expires?
After expiry, a .com domain is not deleted immediately:
- Grace period (up to 45 days): typically, renewal is still possible at the standard price, but the website and email service may already have been suspended.
- Redemption period (30 days): the domain can now only be recovered by paying a separate restoration fee.
- Deletion (5 days): after that, the name becomes available and anyone can register it.
So, enable automatic renewal and provide a notification email address that is not associated with the domain due to expire. Our article on expiring and expired domain names covers the post-expiry periods.
Why is .com more expensive than .hu?
The price of .com domains is determined by the registry’s (Verisign) wholesale fee and the ICANN fee, which are quoted in US dollars and have risen steadily in recent years. The price of .hu domains is set by the Hungarian registry in forints. You can find the current prices on the domain price list.
Summary
The .com domain extension is synonymous with an international presence and brand protection. If you have, or will have, customers abroad, this should be your primary domain; if you’re working solely for the Hungarian market, stick with .hu, but register the .com version anyway and redirect it to your homepage. Registration is straightforward, but make sure you provide accurate details, confirm your email address and set up automatic renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a Hungarian address for a .com domain?
No, .com registrations are not tied to any specific country; anyone can register one, whether as a private individual or a company.
How long does it take to set up a .com domain?
Registration usually takes place within minutes of payment. DNS settings take between a few minutes and a few hours to propagate.
How many years can I pay for in advance?
For terms of between 1 and 10 years, and up to 10 years in advance at the time of renewal.
Can I get my money back if I’ve spelt the name wrong?
No. Registration takes place immediately with the registry, and the domain name cannot be changed afterwards, so always check it before making payment.
What is an auth code (EPP code)?
A unique code that you use to verify that you are authorised to transfer the domain to another registrar. Keep it confidential, as anyone who knows it can transfer the domain.
Do I need a .com domain if I’m only working in Hungary?
It isn’t compulsory, but to protect your brand, it’s worth registering it and redirecting it to your main .hu site. That way, no one else can use your name with this extension.
What happens if I don’t complete the renewal on time?
After expiry, the domain enters a grace period of up to 45 days, followed by a 30-day redemption period, during which it can still be recovered (the latter subject to a separate fee). After that, it is deleted and can be registered by anyone.