Extension
.biz
.biz in short
The .biz domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced in 2001 as an explicit, restriction-free alternative to .com for business and commercial use. It is operated by GoDaddy Registry and open to anyone.
.biz at a glance
Type
gTLD — Generic top-level domain
Registry
GoDaddy Registry
Launched
2001
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Intended for bona-fide business use; in practice open to anyone
Typical price
$5/yr
Example sites
small-business sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .biz domain
Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .biz mean?
The .biz extension is shorthand for business. It launched in 2001 in the first wave of new gTLDs after .com, expressly to relieve pressure on the crowded commercial namespace — the idea was to give companies that couldn’t get their .com a clearly business-flavoured alternative. It is operated today by GoDaddy Registry.
The original charter said .biz was for bona-fide business or commercial use, but that was never tightly enforced, so in practice it behaves as an open extension. Its main draw now is low price and the still-decent availability of names that are long gone in .com.
Who uses .biz?
Small businesses, startups, local services and side-projects that want a short, cheap, business-sounding domain when the .com is taken. It is also popular for promotional and campaign sites. Because it is one of the older alternatives, it is universally supported by registrars, email providers and platforms — there are no compatibility surprises.
.biz registration rules and requirements
In principle .biz is meant for business use; in practice it is effectively open. There is no licence check, no documentation and no local-presence test — registration is first-come, first-served to anyone worldwide under standard ICANN rules. The “business only” intent is essentially honour-system.
How much does a .biz cost?
.biz is cheap: often $5–$15 per year, with aggressive first-year promotions common. As with all promo-heavy extensions, the renewal price is the figure to check — some registrars renew well above the teaser rate.
| Registrar | Typical .biz price (per year) |
|---|---|
| Porkbun | ~$5–10/yr |
| Namecheap | ~$6–15/yr (promo first year) |
| Cloudflare Registrar | At wholesale cost |
.biz pros and cons
Pros
- Explicitly business-flavoured and instantly understood.
- Cheap, with good first-year promotions.
- Better name availability than the crowded .com.
- Old, stable and universally supported everywhere.
Cons
- Less trusted and recognised than .com.
- Historically associated with low-quality or spam sites.
- Renewal prices can jump after a promo first year.
- No real enforcement of its ‘business only’ intent.
Example .biz websites
- Small-business and local-service sites that couldn’t get the .com.
- Startup and side-project domains on name.biz.
- Campaign and promotional microsites using the cheap business extension.
.biz — frequently asked questions
What is the .biz domain?
The .biz domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced in 2001 as an explicit, restriction-free alternative to .com for business and commercial use. It is operated by GoDaddy Registry and open to anyone.
Who can register a .biz domain?
Effectively anyone. Although .biz was chartered for bona-fide business use, this is not enforced in practice — it is an open, first-come, first-served gTLD available worldwide with no licence or documentation.
How much does a .biz domain cost?
A .biz domain typically costs around $5–$15 per year, often with a discounted first year. Always confirm the renewal price, which can be higher than the promotional rate.
Is .biz a good alternative to .com?
It can be when the .com is taken and you want a clearly business-flavoured, low-cost name. It carries less trust and recall than .com and has some legacy spam associations, so it suits practical projects more than premium brands.