Domain guides for Pakistan
Direct answers to the questions people ask before registering, buying or selling a domain, written for Pakistani businesses and freelancers.
.pk registration
.pk domain transfer, step by step
How PKNIC moves a domain to a new owner.
ReadHow much does a .pk domain cost in Pakistan?
PKNIC charges Rs 2,100 a year for a .pk domain, billed two years at a time. Why resellers charge more, what renewal means, how we quote in rupees.
ReadHow to register a .pk domain (PKNIC rules explained)
How to register a .pk or .com.pk domain in Pakistan: PKNIC name rules, two-year term, CNIC details, rupee payment and activation.
ReadHow to get a .edu.pk domain for a school or college
Who can register a .edu.pk domain, the three documents PKNIC asks for, how approval works, and what small academies can use instead.
ReadWhat happens when a .pk domain expires?
An expired .pk domain is deactivated, then held for about two weeks and may be released to the public. See how to renew in time.
ReadWhat is PKNIC? How the .pk registry works
PKNIC is the Lahore-based registry behind .pk and .com.pk. See what it does, its yearly fees, how resellers fit in and what it will not do.
ReadCan overseas Pakistanis register a .pk domain?
Living abroad? See how overseas Pakistanis can register a .pk domain, what PKNIC charges (USD 15.99 a year), and how to keep your own name on it.
Read.org.pk for NGOs and trusts: rules and documents
PKNIC lists .org.pk for non-profits. Here is who it suits, what PKNIC has not published on documents, and options for NGOs and trusts.
ReadHow to change the owner of a .pk domain
Changing a .pk owner needs a signed authority letter or notarised affidavit, plus original papers posted to PKNIC. Here are the steps and limits.
ReadHow to change nameservers on a .pk domain
Where to change nameservers on a .pk domain, what to copy from your host, how long it takes to show, and the mistakes that break a site.
ReadHow to find out who owns a .pk domain
Check a .pk domain in PKNIC's WHOIS lookup, see what it shows and hides, and reach the owner or make an offer with escrow.
ReadWho can register a .gov.pk domain?
A .gov.pk name is meant for the federal government. See who qualifies, which provincial zones exist, why we cannot sell them and how to spot fakes.
ReadSomeone registered your brand as a .pk domain: what now?
Someone registered your brand as a .pk domain? See how PKNIC disputes and the DNDRC work, what you must prove, and when buying is simpler.
ReadDomain basics
Domain name rules: length, characters, hyphens and what you cannot register
Length limits, allowed characters, hyphen rules, reserved and premium names, trademarks and PKNIC's own rules for .pk, for Pakistani buyers.
ReadWhat a domain costs to renew, and why year two can cost more
What renewing a .pk or .com domain costs, why year two can cost more than year one, and what happens after a domain expires.
ReadHow to check if a domain name is available (and why "available" is not a promise)
Check a .pk name at PKNIC and a .com name over RDAP, see why search tools disagree, and why an available name can still slip away.
ReadWhat is a domain name?
A domain name is your business's web address, like example.pk. Learn how it differs from a website, URL and hosting, and how DNS works.
ReadDNS records explained: A, CNAME, MX and TXT
What A, CNAME, MX and TXT records do, with website, email and verification examples, what TTL means and where to edit your DNS.
ReadDomain vs hosting: what is the difference?
A domain is your website's address; hosting is the computer that stores the site. Learn why you need both, and how to move hosting safely.
ReadSubdomain or subfolder: which is better for SEO?
Subdomain or subfolder for your .pk site? What Google's documentation says, when each fits a Pakistani business, and how to set one up.
ReadFree SSL certificates for your domain explained
Learn how free SSL certificates work, what Let's Encrypt does, why browsers warn visitors, and how renewals keep your padlock on.
ReadHow long do DNS changes take to work?
DNS changes can show within minutes or take a day or more. Learn why TTL and caching decide it, how to check, and how to speed it up.
ReadRegistry, registrar and reseller: who owns your domain?
Registry, registrar and reseller explained for Pakistani business owners, and why the registrant name on record decides who owns your domain.
ReadCan you register a domain name in Urdu?
Urdu domain names exist through IDN and punycode, and Pakistan has an Arabic-script extension. See what works today and what to register.
ReadWhat is a domain auth code (EPP code)?
An auth code, or EPP code, is the secret key a registrar issues to move a .com domain. See how to get one and why .pk transfers use paperwork.
ReadWHOIS privacy: what it hides and when you need it
Plain guide to WHOIS and RDAP, what GDPR redaction changed for .com, and why .pk owners should plan for public contact details.
ReadChoosing a name and extension
Domain name ideas for a Pakistani business (with examples)
Four naming patterns for a Pakistani business domain, with examples, PKNIC name rules, IPO Pakistan trademark checks and what to avoid.
Read.pk vs .com.pk vs .com: which domain should a Pakistani business pick?
Trust, Google geo-targeting, PKNIC fees and rules, and a by-business-type rule for choosing .pk, .com.pk or .com for a Pakistani business.
ReadShould you register more than one domain?
Is a second domain worth it? Learn when to protect typos and other extensions, how redirects work, and what extra renewals cost in Pakistan.
Read.com vs .net vs .org: which should you pick?
Compare .com, .net and .org for a Pakistani business: original purpose, how people see them now, renewal costs and when each one fits.
ReadDo new extensions like .shop and .online work?
Do .shop, .online and other new extensions work for Pakistani businesses? How Google treats them and the renewal price to watch.
ReadDoes a country domain help you rank in that country?
Does a .pk domain help you rank in Pakistan? What Google says about country domains, what a .com needs, and when to own both.
ReadHyphens and numbers in domain names: good or bad?
Are hyphens and numbers in a domain name a mistake? Typing, saying it aloud, brand confusion, SEO myths and when a hyphen is fine.
ReadWhy Short Domain Names Cost More
Why 3- and 4-character domains cost more in Pakistan: scarce supply, owner pricing, PKNIC's four-character .pk minimum and alternatives.
ReadDoes your domain name affect Google rankings?
Do keywords in a domain help you rank on Google? We explain the 2012 EMD update, what Google staff said, and how to pick a business name.
Read.io, .ai or .com for a Pakistani startup?
Choosing .io, .ai or .com for a Pakistani startup: who needs to trust you, renewal costs, availability and the open question over .io.
ReadSet-up how-tos
How to point your domain to WordPress hosting
Connect your domain to WordPress: nameservers or A record, WordPress.com vs self-hosted, updating the site URL, and getting SSL working.
ReadMove your website to new hosting without losing your domain
Changing web host does not change who owns your domain. Back up, copy, test, switch DNS, keep the old host and copy your email records.
ReadHow to use a custom domain on Blogger
Set up a custom domain on Blogger: add two CNAME records, save again after an hour, then add A records and redirect the bare domain.
ReadHow to connect your domain to Shopify
Point a .com or .pk domain at your Shopify store: the A, AAAA and CNAME records, the admin steps, SSL timing and fixes for common errors.
ReadHow to add your website to Google Business Profile
Add or edit the website on your Google Business Profile, and keep your name, address and phone details matching across the web.
ReadLost access to your domain? How to get it back
Locked out of your domain? Find out who holds it, reset the account, gather proof and handle .pk or reseller problems step by step.
ReadPoint your domain to Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp
Can you point a domain to Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp? See how forwarding and wa.me links work, and why a one-page site often serves you better.
ReadHow to set up business email on your own domain
Step-by-step guide for Pakistani businesses: choose Google Workspace or Zoho Mail, add MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records, and keep mail out of spam.
ReadHow to transfer a .com domain to another registrar
Learn how to move a .com domain to a new registrar: unlock it, get the auth code, approve the request and know the five-day timing.
ReadWhy you cannot transfer a new domain for 60 days
New .com domains usually cannot change registrar for 60 days. See why the lock exists, what restarts it, and what to do while you wait.
ReadBuying and selling domains
How to sell a domain in Pakistan
Pricing, finding buyers, and getting paid safely.
ReadHow to buy a domain safely
Checks to make before you pay.
ReadWhat is my domain worth?
How Pakistani buyers price domains.
ReadHow to buy a domain in Pakistan with JazzCash, Easypaisa, Raast or bank transfer
How to pay for a domain in rupees by JazzCash, Easypaisa, Raast or bank transfer, how manual confirmation works and what to check before you pay.
ReadHow domain escrow works
How domain escrow works in Pakistan: who holds the money, the steps from payment to transfer, and red flags to spot before you pay.
ReadWhat is a premium domain, and is it worth it?
Premium domains explained: registry premiums vs resale names, why renewals may cost more, and a simple checklist for Pakistani businesses.
ReadCan you make money flipping domains in Pakistan?
A plain look at domain flipping in Pakistan: yearly costs, how long names sit unsold, the .pk registrant rule and where buyers come from.
ReadAre online domain appraisal tools accurate?
Online domain appraisal tools give a rough guess, not a price. See how they work, where they fail, and what Pakistani buyers should check.
ReadCommon domain scams in Pakistan and how to avoid them
Fake renewal notices, sellers who never transfer, wrong registrant names and forged payment screenshots. Learn the checks that stop them.
ReadHow to buy an expired domain
How an expired .com domain moves from expiry to redemption to drop, how backorders work, and how to check a name's history before you pay.
ReadHow to buy a domain that is already taken
Found a name but someone owns it? Learn how to trace the owner, make a polite offer, agree a price, use escrow and move a .com or .pk domain.
ReadCheck trademarks before registering a domain in Pakistan
Search IPO Pakistan and WIPO's Global Brand Database before you register a domain, and see how UDRP and DNDRC disputes can cost you the name.
ReadDomains for your business
A domain for your freelance portfolio
Pick a personal-name domain, choose .com or .pk for overseas clients, and set up email on your own domain. Check platform link rules first.
ReadChoosing a domain for an online store in Pakistan
How to choose a domain for a Pakistani online store: build trust with cash-on-delivery shoppers, compare .pk and .com, and plan email and WhatsApp.
ReadA domain for a clinic or doctor in Pakistan
Which domain suits a Pakistani clinic or doctor? Trust, naming, .pk or .com, booking links, patient privacy and Google Business Profile.
ReadA domain for your restaurant or café
How a Pakistani restaurant or café can choose a domain, build a simple menu page, set up Google Business Profile and WhatsApp ordering.
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