Cost of .uk domain names to rise 50% from 2016

Nominet, the .UK domain registry, has recently announced that the wholesale price for all .UK domains (e.g. .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk and .me.uk) will change to £3.75 per year starting from 1st March 2016.

So why the sudden price increase for UK domains? Russell Haworth, Nominet CEO commented: “We’re committed to running a first class service for .UK registrants, including our renowned customer service, and we’re doing more than ever before to ensure the .UK space is a safe and trusted home for all. But costs have risen considerably since we last changed the price, and we need to compete in a promotion-driven industry.”

Nominet have also stated that, from now on, as part of the company’s “commercial strategy”, it will review the cost of the wholesale domains each year, which could potentially lead to further increases down the line.

“…We’re doing more than ever before to ensure the .UK space is a safe and trusted home for all. But costs have risen considerably since we last changed the price, and we need to compete in a promotion-driven industry.”

Due to the large number of UK based domains, it hasn’t taken long for a petition to be set up by existing Nominet members. Members of Nominet have concluded “…Neither is this a ‘one off’ price increase after 16 years… Prices could increase again next year and year on year? Despite the ‘not-for-profit’ making a huge profit for years now.”.

It’s no surprise that many users disagree with the price change with the above statement in mind, the petition has been gaining increasing traction as news spreads and further signatures are added to show support.

Some large registrars are in full support of this price change, 123-reg have stated “It is important to remember that domains are international. While it is down to local discretion to regulate domains, in a globalised world, it would be a mistake not to align pricing and offerings with global standards.”

123-reg also added “The price change is small when put in perspective but there will be strong benefits created with the additional funds…”

We’re definitely interested to find out exactly what ‘strong benefits’ will come with the newly priced domain names and what other improvements (if any) will be brought to us with the additional funding.