CIPC Domain Registration: A Comprehensive Guide for South African Businesses
Are you a South African entrepreneur or business owner looking to establish your online presence? Registering a domain name is a crucial step in that process. The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), in collaboration with the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) and the ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), now offers a domain registration portal for businesses. This guide will walk you through the process of registering a domain with CIPC and explain why transferring your domain to an accredited registrar is essential for full functionality. Find out what a parked domain is.
Important Note: CIPC Domain Registration Limitations
Before we dive into the CIPC domain registration process, it’s crucial to understand that domains registered with CIPC have limitations. These domains are essentially “parked” and cannot be immediately used for websites or email services. CIPC domain name registration is a straightforward process, but to fully utilize your domain, you’ll need to transfer it to an accredited registrar who can provide hosting and email services.
Step-by-Step Guide to Registering a Domain with CIPC
1. Access the CIPC Portal
To get started, you’ll need to visit to the CIPC eServices website and log in to your account.
Once you’re logged in, click on the “Transact” button at the top of the page.
Then click on the “Domain Name Registration” icon.
Scroll down the Domain Name Service page and click on the “Register a Domain Name” button
2. Agree to Terms & Conditions
Before you can register a domain, you’ll need to agree to CIPC’s terms and conditions:
Carefully read through the Terms and Conditions, then check the box to indicate your acceptance and click “Continue” to proceed
3. Company Registration Verification
Enter your Company Registration number and validate that the Registration number is correct and that your company is active with CIPC
Enter the ID number of the first listed director linked, tick the box to confirm that the details entered belong to the company listed, then click continue.
4. Domain Name Search
Now it’s time to choose your domain name:
On the Name Search page, type the domain name you wish to register, then under “suffix” select the .co.za ccTLD option and click “Search“. If you need guidance on selecting the perfect domain name, check out our tips for choosing the perfect domain name to ensure your choice effectively represents your brand.
Next, wait for the page to reload. If your desired domain name is available, you’ll see a success message and you can continue to the next step.
5. Confirm Contact Details
Before proceeding to payment, you’ll need to confirm your information. This step is only required the first time you register a domain with CIPC.
Ensure your information is up to date. Update any missing fields, then click “Continue”
On the next page, confirm your contact details once more and click “Continue”
6. Complete Payment Process
Once you’ve confirmed your details, you can continue with the payment process.
Review your order on the Payment page and if you’re satisfied, click the “Pay” button
On the Process Payment page, click “Continue“
You’ll be transferred to the ZA Central Registry Payment Gateway Processing Page. Enter your credit card details, then click on “Make Payment”
Proceed to the 3D Secure page to complete the purchase. Provide the 3D Secure pin sent to your mobile phone or email address
Note: If your card isn’t 3D Secure enabled, you’ll need to log into your internet banking and enrol the card before processing the payment again
7. Confirm Your Domain
After successful payment, you’ll receive confirmation of your domain registration via email. Congratulations! You now own a domain name.
What Happens After Registration?
It’s crucial to understand that while you now own the domain, it’s not yet ready for use. CIPC-registered domains are essentially “parked” and have several limitations:
- You cannot use the domain for a website
- You cannot set up email addresses using this domain
- You don’t have access to manage DNS records
To make your domain fully functional, you need to transfer it to an accredited registrar who can provide hosting and DNS management services. You can easily transfer your domain and explore hosting options on our domain registration page.
How to Transfer Your CIPC Domain to Our Hosting Services
To unlock the full potential of your newly registered domain, follow these steps to transfer it to our hosting service:
To begin this process, verify your domain registration using our domain checker tool.
If registered, your domain will show as unavailable, confirming it’s ready for transfer.
Click on the “Transfer” button next to your domain.
On the transfer page, you’ll see several important options:
- Auto-renew: This is enabled by default. We highly recommend keeping this enabled to prevent accidentally losing your domain name if you forget to renew it.
- Transfer fee: Note that the domain transfer itself is free of charge (R0.00).
- Domain Warranty & Privacy: This optional service (R99.00 for 1 year) protects your domain even if auto-renewal isn’t enabled. We’ll renew the domain on your behalf to ensure you don’t lose it.
You can add hosting to your domain during the checkout process if desired.
Click the “pay now” button and follow the payment process to complete the transfer request.
After initiating the transfer, you’ll receive an email from ZACR (ZA Central Registry) requesting you to accept the domain transfer:
Click on the accept link in the email. This will take you to the voting page.
On the voting page, click the accept button to confirm the transfer.
Once the transfer has been accepted, you’ll be able to access your domain in the client area.
You will receive a confirmation email from us when the transfer is complete and your domain is activated.
Once your domain has successfully transfered and is active, you’ll need to update the nameservers in the client area.
Go back to “Domains -> My Domains“, then click on the dropdown next to the newly transferred domain and click on “Manage Nameservers“
Here you can either enter custom nameservers, or use the default HOSTAFRICA nameservers (as seen in the screenshot below), then click on “Change Nameservers“
Note: the change can take up to 48 hours to propagate.
By following these steps, you’ll successfully transfer your CIPC-registered domain to our hosting service, giving you full control over your online presence.
Important Notes:
- The auto-renew feature is crucial for maintaining ownership of your domain. Consider keeping it enabled to avoid any lapses in registration.
- The Domain Warranty & Privacy service provides an extra layer of protection for your domain and personal information.
- Adding hosting during the transfer process can streamline setting up your CIPC website. However, you can also add hosting services later if you’re not ready yet.
Benefits of Transferring to Our Hosting
By transferring your CIPC-registered domain to our hosting service, you’ll enjoy several advantages:
- Control: Gain full access to DNS management, allowing you to set up websites and email services.
- Affordability: Our hosting packages start from as little as R99.00 per month, offering great value for your business.
- Support: Our dedicated customer support team will ensure a seamless transfer process and assist you with any queries.
- Flexibility: Even if you’re not ready to launch your website, we offer free domain parking, giving you control over your domain until you’re ready to use it.
Conclusion
CIPC domain registration is just the first step in establishing your online presence. To fully leverage your new domain, transferring it to an accredited registrar like us is essential. We provide the tools and support you need to bring your registered company online effectively and affordably.
Ready to make the most of your CIPC-registered domain? Transfer your domain to us today and take the next step in your online journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I use my CIPC domain immediately?
CIPC domains are initially “parked” and require transfer to an accredited registrar for full functionality.
What happens if I don’t transfer the domain?
Your domain will remain inactive and cannot be used for websites or email services until transferred.
How long does the transfer process take?
Typically, the transfer process takes 30 mins – 3 days to complete.
Can I transfer my domain to any hosting provider?
Yes, you can transfer to any ZACR-accredited registrar, but we offer competitive rates and excellent support.
Do I need to pay additional fees to transfer my domain?
No, we don’t charge any transfer fees for .co.za domains.
