Things to Know When Buying a Domain Name
Domain Names with .tr Extension
Registering a Domain Name with a Trade Name: If you want to register a “.tr” domain name using your trade name, the domain must exactly match your company’s registered trade name. The main requirement is that the domain should contain the distinctive and essential elements of the trade name. For such domain applications, a Trade Registry Certificate issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is required. Applications are usually made through nic.tr (or in the future, TRABIS).
Registering a Domain Name with a Trademark: If you have a trademark registration certificate or have applied for a trademark, you can register a “.tr” domain name associated with that trademark. Moreover, domain registration can be done even before the trademark process is finalized, using just the trademark application documents.
Required documents: Trademark registration certificate or trademark application documents.
.tr Extensions That Can Be Obtained Without Documents:
Some .tr domain extensions can be registered without the need to submit any documentation, simply by making a payment.
If you choose one of these, the application process is quite simple and can be completed by making payment through a domain registrar.
Non-.tr Domain Extensions (.com, .net, .org, etc.)
Domain names with extensions other than “.tr” are generally easier and quicker to obtain. No documentation or trade name is required for these types of domain names. Available domains can be registered directly through payment.
Some reliable global registrars include:
GoDaddy
Namecheap
Google Domains
IONOS
Turhost, Natro (Turkey-based)
Why Is the Domain Structure in Turkey Different?
Unlike in some other countries, Turkey uses second-level domains under the .tr extension. Examples include:
.com.tr (Commercial entities)
.net.tr (Internet service providers)
.org.tr (Non-governmental organizations)
.gov.tr (Government institutions)
.edu.tr (Educational institutions) This structure helps users easily recognize the type of entity associated with a domain name.
What is TRABIS?
TRABIS is a system developed to manage the allocation of “.tr” domain names in a more modern, real-time, and centralized manner. Its legal basis is Article 35 of the Electronic Communications Law No. 5809 and the Internet Domain Name Regulation (dated November 7, 2010).
Key responsibilities of TRABIS include:
Establishing and operating a central database for “.tr” domain names
Managing the directory system and application process
Ensuring secure and uninterrupted domain registration
TRABIS has not yet become fully operational; the transfer process between the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) and relevant bodies is ongoing. Once TRABIS is fully active, more top-level domains (e.g., .app, .blog, .book, .ist) are expected to be introduced.
Why Is a Domain Important?
A domain name is the digital identity of a website. Technically, it replaces complex and hard-to-remember IP addresses, allowing users to access websites more easily and memorably. However, its significance goes beyond technical convenience. A domain serves as a brand’s digital storefront and offers strategic advantages in various areas.
Main Importance of Domain Names
Builds Brand Awareness and Trust: A catchy and meaningful domain helps users remember your brand and gives a professional impression, especially with popular extensions like .com, .org, and .net.
Offers SEO Advantages: A domain name that includes relevant keywords can help achieve better rankings on search engines. Local SEO also benefits from domain names that include a region or service.
Strengthens Marketing and Advertising Strategies: Short, memorable, and easy-to-pronounce domains yield higher engagement and conversion rates in digital campaigns.
Improves User Experience (With Subdomain Structures): Subdomains help create a clear and organized structure for different content types or services.
Creates a Professional Image: Free or randomly generated domains often appear amateurish, whereas a carefully chosen domain gives a corporate image and shows the seriousness of the initiative.
How to Buy a Domain?
Choosing a Domain Name: Select a name that’s easy to remember, simple, and reflects your brand. Using keywords in the domain is beneficial for SEO. Avoid Turkish characters, numbers, and special symbols as much as possible.
Domain Availability Check: Check whether your desired domain name is available using domain registrar websites.
Registration and Payment: After choosing your domain, proceed to the payment step. Once registered, you own the usage rights to that domain.
Domain Management: Manage your domain through the registrar’s control panel. You can renew it before it expires or transfer it to another user.
Providing Personal Information: You will need to enter details such as your name, surname, and email. This information is recorded in the WHOIS database.
Additional Services: Privacy protection, corporate email accounts, and hosting services can also be purchased.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Domain
Choosing the right domain name is one of the foundational steps in building your online presence. A well-chosen domain supports branding and helps visitors remember you more easily. Key points to consider:
It Should Be Memorable and Simple: Choose a domain that’s short, easy to pronounce, and easy to spell.
It Should Reflect Your Brand and Service: Your domain should be directly associated with the product or service you offer.
Avoid Turkish Characters: Characters like “ç, ğ, ı, ö, ş, ü” can cause technical issues and limit international accessibility. Use their Latin equivalents instead (e.g., “ş” becomes “s”).
It Should Be Short and Meaningful: Short domains look more professional and are easier to remember. Avoid unnecessary length or random letter combinations.
Check the Domain History: The domain might have been used before. Investigate whether it was used for spam or penalized by search engines. Use domain history lookup tools for this.
Conclusion
Choosing a domain name is the first and most critical step in establishing a strong digital presence. Whether it's .tr domains with unique requirements in Turkey or more flexible global extensions like .com or .net, each serves different needs. Therefore, both technical requirements and brand strategy should be considered together. A good domain name can significantly impact credibility, visibility, and professionalism. It also boosts SEO performance, supports marketing efforts, and enhances user experience. Ensure that your domain is short, memorable, simple, and fit for purpose to solidify your digital identity.
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