Category: Domains

Choose a domain name that is short, memorable, and easy to spell -- ideally under 15 characters. It should reflect your brand or the purpose of your website and avoid hyphens, numbers, or unusual spellings that people might mistype. If your business operates primarily in Canada, consider registering a .ca domain to signal local credibility. Check that the name is not trademarked by another business, and try to secure matching social media handles at the same time for brand consistency.

A .com domain is the most globally recognized extension and works well for businesses targeting an international audience. A .ca domain is Canada's country-code extension and is restricted to individuals and businesses with a Canadian presence, giving it extra trust among Canadian consumers. Other extensions like .org (non-profits), .net (technology), and newer options like .io or .store serve specific niches. For Canadian businesses, registering both the .com and .ca versions of your domain is a smart strategy to protect your brand.

To transfer a domain, start by unlocking it at your current registrar and obtaining the authorization (EPP) code. Then initiate the transfer at your new registrar by entering the domain name and the EPP code. The transfer process typically takes five to seven days for most extensions, though .ca domains can transfer in as little as a few hours through CIRA. Make sure your domain is at least 60 days old and not within 60 days of a previous transfer, as ICANN rules restrict transfers during these periods.

WHOIS privacy protection is a service that hides your personal contact information -- such as your name, address, phone number, and email -- from the public WHOIS database. Without it, anyone can look up your domain and see who owns it, which can lead to spam, unwanted sales calls, and potential security risks. Many registrars now include WHOIS privacy for free with domain registration. Note that .ca domains managed by CIRA already have privacy protections built in for individual registrants under Canadian privacy law.

Domain registration is nearly instant -- once you complete the purchase, the domain is typically active within minutes. However, it can take up to 24 to 48 hours for DNS records to propagate globally, meaning your website might not be immediately accessible to everyone. If you are registering a .ca domain, CIRA requires that you meet Canadian presence requirements, which are verified during the registration process. After registering, you will need to configure your DNS settings to point the domain to your hosting provider before your website goes live.