Registry Lock available for .io domain DNSSEC is available for .io domain Private Registration is available for .io domain

What are the .io domain names used for?

Country flagLogo for .io Domain

Let us put it this way: How much time do you have? A .io domain registration comes with a bucket full of creative ways how to use it. First and foremost, the .io domain is the official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) of the British Indian Ocean Territory, which is a territory of the United Kingdom located in the Indian Ocean. That fact by itself is already pretty amazing, but over the last few years, the meaning of the .io domain has changed. The .io domain extension has gained great popularity as the digital home for technology companies worldwide. I/O is known as input/output and is widely associated with technology and innovation.

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Is the .io domain a good web address for start-ups?

Yes! It's short, it's memorable, it's tech-friendly, and most importantly, the odds are in your favor that your desired name will be available to buy your .io domain name as early as today.

When registering a domain name, you should always think about your target audience first and if they know what your .io domain extension ultimately stands for. So, if you're looking to establish a strong brand identity and don't want to deal with complicated restrictions on the type of content to put out or where you're located, a .io domain registration should be on top of your list. And if you're working in the Artificial Intelligence sector, you should also consider the .ai domain extension (LINK to .AI) as a potentially great fit for your needs.

Why do I need a .io domain name?

  • Memorable
    Have you ever noticed how many words end with "io"? There's portfolio, studio, audio, and cheerio to name a few! .io domain names are great for wordplay, and give brands an opportunity to get their name in a shorter website address.
  • Relevant
    To the tech and software development world, "io" is a common industry term so it speaks directly to that audience. However, .io domain hasn't always been used by the tech industry. It wasn't until recently that .io domain began trending for input/output, that it really took off.
  • Shorter Names, Greater Availability
    When it comes to domain names, the fewer characters the better. An advantage of .io doman is that it is only two characters long instead of traditional top-level domains like .com. Since not everybody is an early adopter like you, there are many great domain names still available!

We cover more about the .io TLD in this blog post.

.io registry logo

The Meaning Behind That IO Domain You Keep Seeing Everywhere

You have probably seen .io domain names around on billboards or associate them with new software developments on the market, but if you work in the tech industry you know...

Read More

Some examples of .io sites already seeing the benefits!

  • Screenshot of dictation.io website dictation.io
  • Screenshot of codepen.io website codepen.io
  • Screenshot of ouo.io website ouo.io
  • Screenshot of fontawesome.io website fontawesome.io
  • Screenshot of gleam.io website gleam.io

Frequently asked questions about .io.

How do I buy a .io domain?
To purchase your domain name, you must first search for the availability of the unique phrase (without spaces or with hyphens). If the domain name is available, you may then add it to the cart to register for up to 10 year(s). If the .io country code domain is not available, then either modify your phrase, or inquire about purchasing the name outright through 101domain's Domain Concierge Service.
Are there restrictions for .io domain?
No, the .io domain extension isn't restricted like many other ccTLDs. Remember that you can't register any names that violate trademark or intellectual property, though.
Is .io safe to use for my business?
Yes, .io domain names are safe to use, but it's important to take appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your website, and its visitors. If you're planning to grow your business, we recommend considering registering variations of your .io domain name to prevent others from using a similar name to harm your brand or reputation.
Is Registry Lock available for the .io domain?
Yes, 101domain doesn't just offer Registry Lock for your .io domain name; we also recommend enabling DNSSEC, which can be configured in your domain name's DNS panel. It will protect you against counterfeit DNS data by providing origin authentication and integrity protection on that data.
Is the .io domain registration worth paying more than for a comparable .com domain?
If your budget allows it and you're working in the technology industry, we highly suggest registering your domain name in both extensions to cover all the bases. The .com legacy domain is always a good choice and recognized worldwide, but if you want to target a tech audience clearly, .io domain names are the way to go and worth the price.

Technical information for .io.

  • TLD .io
  • Type ccTLD
  • Registration On Sale 54.99 USD / normally 62.99 USD
  • Renewal 65.99 USD
  • Transfer 54.99 USD / Transfer in your .io
  • Time to Register Instant
  • Registration Period 1 - 10 years
  • Private Registration Available
  • DNSSEC Supported / Learn how to add DNSSEC
  • Registry Lock Available
  • Trustee/Proxy Service No
  • Blocking Service Part of DPML Blocking Service / Learn more Part of the GlobalBlock Service / Learn more
    Block Registrations on your trademark in .io and each of NIC IO's
  • Languages Supported Arabic,  Belarusian,  Bulgarian,  Chinese Simplified,  Chinese Traditional,  Danish,  Finnish,  French,  German,  Hungarian,  Icelandic,  Italian,  Korean,  Latvian,  Lithuanian,  Macedonian,  Polish,  Portuguese,  Russian,  Serbian,  Spanish,  Swedish,  Ukrainian, 
    .io domain name supports multiple language formats. You can register your domain name by entering your domain search using the appropriate language character set in the search field.
  • Individuals can register Yes
  • Businesses can register Yes
  • Registry NIC IO
  • Information updated 2023-12-21

See all .io domain help and technical information.

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