History of the TLD .design
.design is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was delegated into the DNS root zone in 2015 and opened for general registration on May 12, 2015. The rights to operate .design were awarded to Top Level Design after a private auction in 2014. The registry operation is managed by GoDaddy Registry. .design has been consistently available to the public since its launch.
Main Use and Industry Position
.design is positioned as a specialist namespace for designers, creative professionals, and design‑centric organisations. It is widely used by graphic designers, web designers, fashion designers, interior designers, and other creatives seeking a domain that clearly signals design focus. The TLD allows individuals and businesses to align their online presence with design-oriented branding.
Comparison to Other TLDs
Compared with generic extensions such as .com or .net, .design provides a more explicit thematic association with creative and design industries. Unlike .com, which carries universal commercial recognition, .design delivers niche branding value but typically has higher registration and renewal fees. There are no eligibility restrictions on .design, making it similar to other open gTLDs such as .info or .studio.
Pros and Cons of the TLD
Pros
Strong thematic relevance for design and creative professionals
Open registration with no eligibility restrictions
Established TLD with active use since 2015
Cons
Generally higher cost compared to legacy TLDs like .com
Less universal recognition and SEO weight than .com or .net
May not inherently convey trust outside design‑focused audiences
Registration Criteria
Anyone can register a .design domain name. There are no specific eligibility or restrictions imposed by the registry beyond standard domain name rules.
Summary
.design is a long‑established generic top‑level domain serving the creative and design community. It offers clear branding advantages for designers and design businesses but may have higher costs than some legacy TLDs. Open registration and industry adoption make it a flexible choice for portfolios, design agencies, and creative projects.
| Domain | New Price | Renew | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
.design
|
USD
$40.2
1st year
|
USD
$40.2
For 1 year
|
USD $40.2 |
| TLD | Registration (USD $) | Renewal (USD $) | Transfer (USD $) | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $10.46 | $10.46 | $10.46 | Free |
| .net | $11.11 | $11.11 | $11.11 | Free |
| .co | $26.00 | $26.00 | $26.00 | Free |
| .biz | $16.20 | $16.20 | $16.20 | Free |
| .online |
$2.00*
$27.70
|
$27.70 | $27.70 | Free |
| .org | $10.13 | $10.13 | $10.13 | Free |
| .io | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | Free |
| .co.uk | $5.55 | $5.55 | Free | NA |
| .info | $21.20 | $21.20 | $21.20 | Free |
| .us | $6.50 | $6.50 | $6.50 | NA |
| .store |
$3.00*
$42.20
|
$42.20 | $42.20 | Free |
| .site |
$2.00*
$27.70
|
$27.70 | $27.70 | Free |
| .website |
$2.00*
$20.20
|
$20.20 | $20.20 | Free |
| .tv | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | Free |
| .me | $17.37 | $17.37 | $17.37 | Free |
| .cc | $8.00 | $8.00 | $8.00 | Free |
| .xyz | $12.30 | $12.30 | $12.30 | Free |
| .mobi | $40.20 | $40.20 | $40.20 | Free |
| .name | $6.80 | $6.80 | $6.80 | Free |
| .it.com |
$4.50*
$25.20
|
$25.20 | $25.20 | Free |
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