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A website or online shop needs a domain name, and the first choice for a Hungarian business is typically the .hu extension. However, those considering foreign markets often look towards .com or .eu, which raises the question: is it still worth choosing a .hu domain when there are so many extensions to choose from?
The short answer: if your visitors are mainly based in Hungary, then yes. In this article, we won’t be going through the registration process (that’s covered in our guide to .hu domain rules), but rather what a .hu domain offers your business, when you might need a different extension, and how much it costs to maintain. You can also check the prices and availability on our .hu domain registration page.
The .hu domain is a symbol of trust
At first glance, the .hu extension indicates that this is a Hungarian-language service operating in Hungary. The majority of Hungarian internet users instinctively trust such websites more, particularly when they are required to provide payment details or personal information:
- in online shops;
- on financial services and paid websites;
- on the websites of local service providers (hairdressers, garages, solicitors, accountants);
- on healthcare websites;
- on any site where you need to register or provide personal details.
Of course, a .hu domain in itself is no guarantee of anything, but visitors are entitled to expect that behind a .hu website there is a Hungarian-language support team and a business operating in accordance with Hungarian law. In the age of ‘fake online shops’, this impression counts for a great deal, and an email address with the .hu extension, info@cegem.hu, also reinforces this sense of trust in your correspondence.
The .hu domain tells search engines who the site is aimed at
Google treats country code extensions (ccTLDs) as geographical indicators: it assumes that a .hu website is primarily aimed at Hungarian users. This is no magic bullet; rankings are still determined by the quality of the content, the technical condition of the site and backlinks, but for a site aimed at a Hungarian audience, the .hu extension is a natural and good starting point. For a .com site, the same targeting must be achieved through language, content and hreflang tags.
AI-based search engines and assistants also draw on web-based sources, so it is equally important for them that content is authoritative, well-structured and clearly identifiable. An easy-to-remember .hu domain name that fits your brand helps with this too.
Brand protection: one name, multiple extensions
If someone else registers your business name with a different extension, it can easily confuse your customers; in the worst case, it could be used as the basis for phishing sites. That is why many companies purchase the .com and .eu versions of the same name alongside the .hu version, but only actively use the .hu domain, redirecting the others to it. This way, no one else can capitalise on their name, and they won’t have to look for a new name should they expand in the future.
If your chosen name is already taken directly under .hu, it may still be available amongst the second-level generic domains (such as .co.hu, .info.hu, .shop.hu). These are fully-fledged addresses, but visitors are less familiar with them; therefore, for a new brand, it is often better to look for a name that is slightly different but available under .hu.
When should you choose .com or .eu?
The .com extension suggests an international presence, whilst .eu suggests a European one. If you’re only targeting the Hungarian market, .hu is the right choice, and there’s no need to start with a foreign extension. However, it’s worth registering a .com or .eu domain (as well) if:
- you’d like to expand into foreign markets in the near future;
- your business is built on customers abroad;
- you’re planning an online shop operating in several countries;
- you’re building a brand in English;
- most of your audience is abroad.
In our article on .com domain registration, written from a .com perspective, we discussed in detail when it is worthwhile for a Hungarian company.
Who can register a .hu domain?
The .hu domain is not just for Hungarian companies: any citizen or legal entity from any country may apply for one; however, applicants from outside the EU, the EEA and neighbouring countries must prove that the use of the domain is justified by economic or other activities. As a natural person, you must be at least 18 years of age. Following your application, the domain will be provisionally registered, and if no objections are raised within 8 days, the registration will become final. Full details are set out in our knowledge base article on the rules for .hu domain registration.
How much does it cost to maintain a .hu domain?
The fee for a .hu domain varies by registrar and is payable annually. With us, registering a .hu domain costs €5.44, its renewal costs €5.44, and its transfer costs €5.44 per year (prices exclude VAT).
When choosing a registrar, don’t just look at the first year’s fee, but also at how much the renewal costs. It can happen that the first year is cheap, but from the second year onwards you have to pay considerably more. A reputable registrar will clearly display the renewal price. We’ve written in more detail about the prices of domain extensions in our article on domain prices.
In summary
If your business is focused on the Hungarian market, a .hu domain is still well worth it: it inspires confidence, signals your target audience to search engines, and is inexpensive to maintain. If you plan to expand abroad in the future, it’s worth registering the .com or .eu versions now and redirecting them to the .hu domain. You can check availability in our domain search tool in just a few seconds.