English
Magyar
If a business is based in Hungary and focuses primarily on the local market and customers, it is recommended that it registers a domain name with the .hu extension for its future website.
This by no means implies that domain names with other extensions cannot be registered or used alongside one another, but a domestic business can significantly boost its reputation if its website is accessible via a domain extension in Hungary.
A few years ago, the process was unnecessarily complicated, as it required the submission of a paper-based application form; however, nowadays it can be completed entirely online.
How do you register a .hu domain name? Let’s take a look at the process step by step!
Checking your chosen domain name
If we’ve managed to find the ideal domain name for our business, the very first step in the registration process is to check the selected name; if it’s already taken – that is, if someone else has beaten us to it – then the selection and verification process will take a little longer.
Specifically, there are numerous free tools available that allow us to check the availability of our chosen domain name, so we can find out within seconds whether we can proceed with the registration or not.
In the case of an existing domain name, we will need to go through a transfer process, which is somewhat more complicated – particularly if we do not already own it, as in that case we must first purchase it from the current owner.
If you cannot find a domain name extension in .hu, you can choose from other extensions; these typically do not present any disadvantages for users and, in some cases, are even recommended.
Ordering a domain name
If your chosen domain name is available, you need to start the ordering process – which, with most providers, usually involves web hosting as well, as both are required to set up your own website.
Since 1 January 2016, the ordering process for .hu domains has been carried out exclusively via an online form – previously, a paper-based application was required. Occasionally, it is still necessary to submit a paper application even today, but only in exceptional cases.
In most cases, it is sufficient to complete the online order form; it is important to provide accurate, genuine details in every field, as these must be verified, and for a business, it could result in a huge loss if the official website subsequently becomes inaccessible because false details were provided at the time of registration.
Payment for the domain name
Once you have ordered a .hu domain name, you will usually automatically receive an invoice containing all the necessary details for payment. Most providers offer alternative payment methods, but the most straightforward and simplest option is to make an advance bank transfer based on the invoice.
Once we have paid for the requested domain name, the actual registration process begins, though this is, of course, not the end of the process.
Domain name approval
Part of the registration process – and one of the final steps – is to finalise the registration of the .hu domain name, for which we must accept a separate set of terms and conditions. Only after approval will the registry decide whether to accept or reject our application.
Domain names are very rarely rejected. In most cases, the name will be available within one to a maximum of three working days, but experience shows that the process tends to take a matter of hours rather than days.
Following approval, the registry grants the prospective owner a provisional licence to use the domain – at which point it is already possible to start configuring the domain, uploading the associated website and so on – although technical checks are still taking place in the background.
In most cases, the customer will not notice anything, but on very rare occasions, the registry may find an error, which it will then report to the customer via the registrar, and the domain will remain unusable until the problem has been resolved.
Activating the domain for permanent use
If no complaints or other objections regarding the registration are received within eight days of the domain’s approval, the chosen domain name will be finalised. Nevertheless, complaints regarding the domain registration may arise at a later date, but this is an exceptionally rare occurrence; an average business need hardly ever take this into account.