.be domain
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.be is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Belgium and is generally used for websites that have a connection to the country.
The .be domain was created in 1988 and is managed by DNS Belgium, a nonprofit organization responsible for the administration and registration of .be domains. It has since become an important online identifier for individuals, businesses, organizations and entities in Belgium but can also be registered by anyone who wants to use it.
DNS Belgium also manages the .brussels and .vlaanderen domain extensions.
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Who uses .be domain and why?
Belgian businesses
.be domains are widely used by businesses and companies operating in Belgium. It helps them establish a clear online identity and local presence in the market they’re targeting.
Local organizations
Non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, educational institutions and cultural entities in Belgium often choose .be domains to signify their connection to the country and their specific mission.
Personal websites
individuals in Belgium use .be domains for personal websites, blogs and online portfolios. It allows them to create a distinct web presence with a local touch.
eCommerce businesses
Belgian eCommerce websites use .be domains to target a local customer base and build trust among Belgian consumers.
Media outlets
Newspapers, magazines, television stations and other media organizations in Belgium use .be domains to provide news and content to the local audience.
Tourism and travel businesses
Websites related to tourism and travel in Belgium use .be domains to promote attractions, accommodations and services within the country.
Learn more: Website infrastructure
Websites using .be domains
This watch seller uses .be as a domain to emphasize their location but also to build on the connection between Belgium and premium watch and jewlery businesses.
This food art company offers product and social media promotion as well as workshops from its Belgium base and uses it's .be to show this.
Video photographer Simon Lambert uses a .be domain for their portfolio site, creating a professional but at the same time personal approach to showcasing their work.
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How to register a .be domain
Registering a .be domain is usually a very straightforward process involving some if not all of the following steps:
01. Choose a domain registrar
Select a domain registrar that offers .be domain registration services. You can find a list of accredited registrars on the DNS Belgium website. Wix is one of these and when you make a website with a Wix premium plan, you can also choose a domain name and register it as part of creating your site.
Learn more: How to register a domain name
02. Check domain name availability
Use the registrar's domain name search tool to check if your desired .be domain name is available. If it's available, you can continue. If not, you’ll need to consider another name or variation of it or potentially another domain extension.
Learn more: How to choose a domain name
03. Provide all required registration information
You’ll need to provide accurate registrant information, including your name, address and contact details. Ensure this information is up to date, as it's used for your domain ownership verification.
04. Select registration period and pay
After confirming domain availability and providing registrant details, follow the registrar's instructions to complete the registration. This typically involves selecting the desired domain registration period (usually in years) and making a payment. This step isn’t necessary with a Wix premium plan.
.be domain vs .se domain
The .be and .se domain extensions represent country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) for Belgium and Sweden, respectively.
The .be domain is the ccTLD for Belgium and is commonly used by individuals, businesses and organizations with connections to Belgium. The .se domain is the ccTLD for Sweden. It is commonly used by individuals, businesses and organizations associated with or located in Sweden. .se domains are open for registration by entities both within and outside Sweden. However, there are different eligibility requirements for different categories of registrants. This is different than the use of the .be domain which has no restrictions on its use.
Registrants for .se domains must meet specific eligibility criteria based on the category they fall into. For example, individuals must have a residence or legal presence in an EEA (European Economic Area) country.
If your primary audience or target market is in Belgium, a .be domain may be more suitable.
If your focus is on Sweden and the Swedish market, a .se domain may better represent your online presence.
.be and ICANN
ICANN, or the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the global Internet's Domain Name System (DNS), IP address allocation, and various other resources related to domains and the Internet.
ICANN plays a crucial role in overseeing the management and distribution of top-level domains (TLDs) and country-code top-level domains (ccTLD). ICANN ensures that all domain extensions used follow the guidelines and standards set for ccTLDs. It manages the registration process, ensuring that domain names are unique and that the associated WHOIS information is accurate. WHOIS is a protocol used to query databases and obtain information about registered domain names, including details about the domain owner, registrar and registration dates.
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used to access resources on the World Wide Web. It consists of the protocol (like HTTP or HTTPS), the domain name (which includes the cc-TLD like ".be") and the specific path to the resource on the web server. ICANN's involvement ensures that these URLs are properly structured and that the associated domain extensions meet established standards across the whole World Wide Web.
.be domain extension FAQ:
Who can register a .be domain?
.be domains are primarily intended for entities and individuals with a connection to Belgium but anyone can register one. There are no specific rules and requirements related to a presence in the country.
How much does a .be domain cost?
The cost of a .be domain can vary depending on the domain registrar and any additional services or features you choose. Prices typically range from a few euros to several dozen euros per year.
Can I transfer my .be domain to a different registrar?
Yes, you can transfer a .be domain to a different registrar. The process typically involves obtaining an authorization code from your current registrar.
What is the minimum and maximum registration period for a .be domain?
The minimum registration period is usually 1 year but you can register a .be domain for multiple years. With Wix, your domain will renew yearly.