Anyone can register a .gives domain. There are no special restrictions in place.

.gives domains can be registered for an initial period of 1-10 years. After this period has passed, you will need to renew the domain in order for it to remain active.

Simply use the domain search bar at the top of this page and enter the name of your choice. A new window will open, and you will immediately see if the name you want is still free. If the name of your choice is not available, our system will automatically show you some options that are still free instead.

Yes, this is possible for this extension. You can enable this option when you purchase a domain through the Openprovider control panel.

You can easily renew your domain through the Openprovider control panel. You will receive multiple reminders by email when your domain is due to be renewed. Another option is to turn on the auto-renew feature in the control panel, which ensures that your domain is automatically renewed as long as you have sufficient balance on your account.

.gives domain names should be between 3-63 characters in length. They may contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9) and hyphens. Internationalized domain names are supported for Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Devanagari, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish, Tamil and Thai.

Your .gives domain will be renewed automatically if you have the auto-renew feature turned on and if you have enough balance in your account. If your domain is expired, you will have 40 days to restore your domain for free before it is deleted.

Choosing a .gives domain for your charity website offers several compelling advantages. Firstly, it provides immediate clarity about your site’s purpose. When potential donors or volunteers see a .gives domain, they instantly understand that your organization is focused on charitable activities. This can increase trust and encourage engagement. Secondly, a .gives domain can improve your website’s SEO. Search engines recognize the relevance of your domain to charitable searches, potentially ranking your site higher for related queries. Thirdly, it sets your charity apart from others using more generic extensions like .com or .org, making your web address more memorable. This uniqueness can lead to higher direct traffic and repeat visits. Lastly, a .gives domain helps foster a sense of community and shared purpose, attracting individuals and organizations who are passionate about giving back and making a difference. Anyone can register a .gives domain on a first-come, first-served basis, making it accessible to all charitable organizations.

The digital landscape is continually evolving, and one notable trend is the rise of niche domains. These specialized top-level domains (TLDs) cater to specific industries, interests, or communities, providing a more relevant and memorable web address. For example, domains like .tech for technology companies or .shop for e-commerce platforms have become increasingly popular. The .gives domain is part of this movement, tailored specifically for charitable organizations. This trend reflects a shift towards greater personalization and specificity in online branding. Niche domains allow organizations to clearly convey their focus and mission right from the URL, making it easier for users to identify and connect with websites that align with their interests or values. As a result, adopting a niche domain like .gives can enhance your charity’s online presence, improve user recall, and ultimately drive more meaningful engagement from your target audience. The .gives domain allows organizations to choose and register domain names that clearly convey their charitable mission.

- Enhanced SEO benefits: Utilizing a .gives domain can significantly enhance your charity’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engines like Google prioritize relevance and specificity when ranking websites. A .gives domain immediately signals to search engines that your site is related to charitable activities, improving your chances of appearing in relevant search results. This can lead to higher visibility for queries related to donations, volunteering, and other philanthropic activities. Furthermore, incorporating targeted keywords within your .gives domain can boost your site’s SEO even more. For example, a domain like “animalrescue.gives” can rank higher for searches related to animal rescue charities. This increased visibility can drive more organic traffic to your website, resulting in greater awareness and potentially more donations and volunteer sign-ups. In a crowded digital space, these SEO benefits can be a game-changer for your charity’s online presence and outreach efforts. Keeping your domain's expiration date up-to-date is crucial for maintaining your SEO rankings, as search engines prioritize active and well-maintained domains.
- Memorable and unique branding: A .gives domain offers a distinctive branding opportunity for your charity. In a digital world where users are inundated with web addresses, a .gives domain stands out and is easier to remember. This uniqueness can be pivotal in ensuring that potential donors, volunteers, and supporters can recall your web address without difficulty. Unlike generic domains such as .com or .org, a .gives domain embeds the essence of your mission directly into your URL, making it instantly recognizable and meaningful. This can help create a lasting impression and foster a stronger connection with your audience. Additionally, a unique domain can enhance word-of-mouth referrals, as people are more likely to share and talk about a website that is both memorable and clearly aligned with charitable giving. By choosing a .gives domain, you not only differentiate your brand but also make it easier for your community to find and support your cause. A memorable .gives domain also makes it easier for supporters to contact your organization for donations and volunteer opportunities.
- Building trust with donors: A .gives domain can play a crucial role in building trust with donors. In an era where online scams are prevalent, having a domain that clearly signals your charitable intentions can reassure potential donors of your legitimacy. The .gives domain extension immediately indicates that your website is dedicated to philanthropic activities, which can help alleviate skepticism and foster confidence. Trust is a fundamental component of donor relationships, and a .gives domain can serve as an initial step in establishing credibility. Additionally, transparency in your web address can enhance your charity’s reputation, making it easier for potential donors to verify and trust your mission. This trust can lead to higher engagement rates, more frequent donations, and long-term support. By choosing a .gives domain, you demonstrate a commitment to your cause and provide a trustworthy platform for your audience to contribute to your charitable efforts. A transparent transfer process ensures that donors can trust the legitimacy of your domain, even if ownership changes.

- Cost-effective solution: Opting for a .gives domain can be a cost-effective solution for your charity. Traditional domain extensions like .com or .org can often be expensive, especially if the desired domain name is already taken. In contrast, .gives domains are generally more affordable and have a greater availability of names. This cost-efficiency allows you to allocate more of your budget towards your mission and programs, rather than on domain registration fees. Additionally, the affordability of .gives domains means you can secure multiple relevant domains to protect your brand and improve your online presence without breaking the bank. This can be particularly beneficial for small or newly established charities with limited resources. By choosing a .gives domain, you gain a financially savvy way to enhance your online presence, ensuring that more funds are directed towards the impactful work your organization is dedicated to. Managing your domain's expiry date effectively can help you avoid unexpected renewal costs and ensure budget stability.
- Flexibility for future growth: A .gives domain provides excellent flexibility for future growth, making it a wise long-term investment for your charity. As your organization evolves and expands its programs, a .gives domain can easily accommodate new initiatives and campaigns. For instance, you can create subdomains like events.yourcharity.gives or donate.yourcharity.gives, allowing you to maintain a cohesive brand identity while diversifying your offerings. This flexibility ensures that your domain remains relevant and adaptable to your charity’s changing needs. Additionally, the .gives domain is versatile enough to support various forms of content, from informational pages and blogs to multimedia and online donation platforms. This adaptability helps you to effectively engage with your audience and keep them informed about your ongoing efforts. By choosing a .gives domain, you ensure that your online presence can grow and adapt alongside your organization, providing a stable foundation for future success and outreach.

Getting started with a .gives domain is straightforward. Begin by choosing a reputable domain registrar, such as Openprovider, that offers .gives domains. Use their search tool to check the availability of your desired domain name. Aim for a name that clearly reflects your charity’s mission and is easy to remember. Once you’ve found an available domain, follow the steps to complete the registration process. This usually involves providing some basic information and payment details. After securing your domain, you can integrate it with your existing website or build a new site around it. Most registrars offer additional services like email hosting and SSL certificates to help streamline this process. Finally, update your promotional materials and inform your supporters about your new .gives domain to maximize its impact. By following these steps, you can quickly and efficiently set up a .gives domain, enhancing your charity’s online presence and outreach efforts. If you are transferring an existing domain to a .gives domain, the transfer process involves steps such as disabling transfer protections, obtaining authorization codes, and undergoing an authentication process, which may take several days and result in an extension of the domain name's expiry date.