Domain Registration Guide: Step by Step

A step-by-step guide to registering a domain

Registering a domain in Slovenia is a simple process that breaks down into six steps: choose a name and check its availability, choose a domain extension, choose an accredited registrar, fill out the form and pay, set up your DNS records, and stay on top of timely renewal. The whole process usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to a day, depending on the payment method. Here's a quick summary of the key steps:

• Choose a domain name and check whether it's available with a registrar.
• Choose an extension (.si for a Slovenian audience, .com for international reach).
• Choose an accredited registrar that offers transparent pricing and good support.
• Fill out the form with accurate details for the domain holder and complete payment.
• Set up your DNS records to point the domain to your server.
• Renew the domain on time and keep your contact details up to date.

How to choose the right domain extension and domain name?

A domain extension tells a visitor who the website is meant for. The .si extension is the best choice for businesses and individuals targeting a Slovenian audience, since it builds trust with local visitors and clearly signals a geographic focus. The .com extension suits you when you're targeting an international market, or when the .si version is already taken. Specialized extensions like .org for nonprofits or .net for tech companies have their own niche, but for most Slovenian business websites, .si and .com are enough.

A simple rule applies to the domain name itself: shorter is better. The name should be easy to remember and directly tied to your company or brand. Avoid numbers and diacritics (č, š, ž), since they cause typos and make it harder to recommend by word of mouth. A company name without diacritics or numbers ensures better recognition and easier searching.

For .si domains, Register.si sets precise rules: the name must contain between 2 and 63 characters, letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed, a hyphen can't appear at the start or end, and there can't be two hyphens together in the third and fourth positions.

• Length: 2-63 characters.
• Allowed characters: letters, numbers, hyphen.
• A hyphen can't appear at the start, at the end, or together in the third and fourth positions.
• The name must not infringe copyright or trademark rights.
• Diacritics and numbers in a name make it harder to remember and type.

Expert tip: Before settling on a name, also check whether the same name is available on the major social media platforms. A consistent presence across your website and social channels builds recognition faster.

How to choose a reliable domain registrar?

A registrar is a company that manages a domain on your behalf and acts as an intermediary between you and the top-level registry. For .si domains, the top-level registry is Arnes, which doesn't handle direct registrations itself. That means you always register a domain through an accredited registrar, not with Arnes directly.

When choosing a registrar, check the following:

• Price transparency: the annual registration fee varies between providers, so compare the total cost, including renewal.
• Quality of support: a registrar that offers phone or chat support is valuable if you run into technical issues.
• DNS record management: a good registrar offers a clear dashboard for editing DNS records without any technical background needed.
• WHOIS privacy protection: some registrars offer to hide your personal information from the public WHOIS database.
• Automatic renewal: this option prevents your domain from accidentally expiring.
• Additional services: hosting, SSL certificates, and email inboxes from the same provider simplify management.

The list of accredited registrars for .si domains is publicly available on the Register.si website. Choose a registrar with clearly published terms and responsive support, since they'll be the one notifying you when your domain is about to expire and helping you manage your DNS records.

How does domain registration and payment work?

Once you've chosen a name, extension, and registrar, follow the process on their website. Type the domain you want into the search field, add it to your cart, and fill out the form with your personal or company details. Every domain needs a designated holder: an individual enters their first name, last name, address, email, and phone number, while a legal entity also adds the company address and tax number.

During registration you'll also choose a registration period. You can register a domain for one year with the option to renew, though longer periods mean you don't have to worry about it every year. Registrars confirm registration once payment is received. Paying by credit card enables immediate activation, while a bank transfer delays activation by one business day.

What should you do if the domain you want is already taken? Check the same name with a different extension (.com instead of .si, or vice versa). Registrars often suggest similar alternatives when you search. If the name is truly essential to your brand, check whether the domain is for sale, or whether it's due to expire soon.

• Type the domain into the registrar's search field and check its availability.
• Fill in the domain holder's details accurately and without errors.
• Choose WHOIS privacy protection if you don't want your data publicly exposed.
• Choose your registration period and complete payment.
• Once confirmed, you'll receive an email with all the details.

What do you need to set up with DNS records after registration?

DNS records are instructions that tell the internet where to send visitors when they type in your domain. Without properly configured DNS records, a domain doesn't point to any website. Registering a domain and hosting a website are two separate services: you can register your domain with one provider and host your website with another. DNS records establish that connection.

You set up DNS records through your registrar's dashboard. Most commonly, you'll change the name servers (NS records) or add an A record that links the domain to your server's IP address. Registrars with a good interface make this possible without any technical background.

Renewing your domain is just as important. Your registrar will notify you before it expires, but email notifications sometimes end up in a spam folder. It's a good idea to turn on automatic renewal or mark the expiration date on your calendar. Transferring a domain to a different registrar is possible, but it requires the domain to be active and for you to initiate the transfer process with the new registrar.

Protect your domain's security with two measures: a domain lock prevents unauthorized transfers, and WHOIS privacy protection hides your personal data from the publicly accessible database. Together, both measures ensure your domain stays under your control.

What you need to know about Slovenian requirements for .si domains?

Rules for .si domains are set by Register.si as the national registry. The name must contain between 2 and 63 characters, and a hyphen can't appear at the start, at the end, or together in the third and fourth positions. Beginners often overlook this restriction when trying to register a domain in the format "xx--xxxx.si."

Early deletion of a .si domain and a refund of costs is only possible within 16 days of registration. After that period, costs can't be refunded, and once deleted, the domain enters a quarantine period during which it's inactive and unavailable to others, before it's released for new registration.

Accurate contact details for the domain holder are essential for smooth management. Outdated details make it harder to transfer the domain and to receive expiration notices. Update them any time they change.

Expert tip: Turn on automatic renewal right after registration, and check that the email address for notifications is active. Losing a domain because renewal was forgotten is one of the most common and most costly mistakes.

For companies that want error-free domain registration, it makes sense to hand the whole process to an experienced partner. Moxy-web offers domain registration, hosting, and technical support services, meaning you have everything in one place and can focus on your business.

Key takeaways

Successful domain registration in Slovenia requires choosing the right name and extension, an accredited registrar, and accurate contact details that you keep up to date.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a .si domain directly with Arnes?

No. As the top-level registry for .si domains, Arnes doesn't handle direct registrations. You register a domain exclusively through an accredited registrar.

How long does domain activation take after payment?

Paying by credit card enables immediate activation, while a bank transfer delays it by one business day.

What happens if I don't renew my domain on time?

After expiring, a domain enters a quarantine period during which it's inactive, and is then released for registration by others. It's a good idea to turn on automatic renewal.

Do I also need to buy hosting when registering a domain?

No. Domain registration and hosting are separate services. You can register your domain with one provider and point it, via DNS records, to a server hosted by another.

Which details are required when registering a domain?

An individual enters their first name, last name, address, email, and phone number. A legal entity also adds the company address and tax number. The details need to be accurate, since they're a prerequisite for managing and transferring the domain.

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