Are you planning to register a .AE domain name in the Dubai or United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Don’t worry you’re on the right platform. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of registering a .ae domain, the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the UAE business and break down the key terms and concepts related to domain registration.

Firstly, what is a Domain?

First, let’s quickly cover what a domain name is. A domain name is a unique web address that helps people find a website on the browser. It’s made up of two parts: the name (Business or personal) itself (the part to the left of the dot) and the domain extension (like .com or .ae).

Just to clarify “domain name” can refer to both the entire web address and specifically the name portion before the dot!

Breaking Down a Domain Name

The part to the right of the dot is known as the TLD, or Top-Level Domain. TLDs fall into two main categories: generic or common TLDs (like .com, .net, or .biz) and country code TLDs (ccTLDs), which are specific to individual countries.

For the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the official domain extension is .ae. You can choose almost any domain name you like according to your brand and business name, if it’s available and meets the registration guidelines. For example, gatehills.ae, has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

The Perfect Name from the Right Registrar

To register a .ae domain, you’ll need to go through an authorized registrar like gatehills. these are companies authorized by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which is the regulatory body managing domain registration in the UAE. These registrars handle the process of registering domains on behalf of customers. There are several TDRA authorized registrars in the UAE, and gatehills proud to be one of them!

Deciding Your Domain Name 

Before you begin the .ae domain name registration process with gatehills, you’ll need to choose your desired domain name and check if it’s available. Ideally, you’ll want to secure an exact match for your company name, brand, or project, or get as close as possible. To make this easy, we offer a simple tool to help you check availability for your domain name:

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Remember These Few Rules Before Purchasing a Domain

Once you’ve found the perfect name for your .ae domain, then you must make sure it follows the guidelines set by the TDRA.

Length

The guidelines state that domain names must be between 3 and 30 characters long, but we recommend you keep it as short as possible.

Characters

They can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, and cannot start or end with a hyphen. As the domain provider we recommend you not to include numbers and hyphens in your domain.

Prohibited Words

Domain names also prohibit certain words. These include words such as those that are offensive or related to illegal activities.

Note that these rules are specific to .AE extensions; other extensions like .com, .uk, .au, will have different rules. There are thousands of domain extensions, many of which aren’t even available to the public!

The Right Name for the Right Place

Because the .ae domain extension directly represents the UAE “Emirates,” it instantly signals your connection to the UAE and the wider Middle East. It shows local customers that you understand their market and value their experience. And here’s the great part, you don’t need to be based in the UAE to register a .ae domain. No matter where you are in the world, you can claim your place online with a domain that speaks to the region.

TRA Guidelines

Once you’ve chosen your .ae domain name and confirmed that it meets the TRA’s guidelines, you’re ready to begin the registration process. If you choose gatehills.com as your trusted registrar, we’ll walk you through every step for registration. The process typically includes submitting some basic personal or business information, like your name and contact details, and paying a little registration fee of about 120 AED for complete year. It’s simple, secure, and we’re here to help from start to finish.

Confirmation of Your New Domain

You can complete the registration part quickly and easily. After submitting your all-required details and completing the payment process, all that’s left is to wait for confirmation that your domain registration process is successfully completed. Once approved congratulations! You’re now the official .ae domain administrator. That means you have full control over your domain and can manage it however you like.

What To Do with Your Domain

The next step after registering the domain is to set up a website, blog, or your online shop.

Hosting Your ae Domain

Host all your website and mail data in a business-friendly environment by choosing to store it right here in the Emirates. With strong data protection regulations in place, you, your customers, and your audience can connect with confidence and peace of mind. Plus, setting up your website and email is just as straightforward as registering your domain!

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Conclusion of .AE Domain Registration Process

As you read above, registering a .ae domain name in the UAE is a simple and straightforward process. It starts with choosing a perfect domain name that meets the TRA’s guidelines and your brand or business goals then registering it through an authorized registrar like gatehills.

With the right company support and within no time, you can secure your very own .ae Domain a reliable Hosting with free DNC or Professional Mail.