You've decided to create a website. Maybe for your shop, hair salon, service or small online shop. The first question they ask you is, "Which domain do you want?" And that's where the confusion comes in. Many people think that all domains are the same and that it doesn't matter what is written after the dot.
It doesn't matter. In this text, we explain why, without complicated expressions.
What is a domain anyway?
A domain is the address of your website on the Internet. Just like your house has a street and a number, your website has an address. For example: mycompany.rs.
A domain has two parts:
- Name, which you choose yourself. It is "my firm".
- Continuation, which comes after the period. In this example it is ".rs".
The same domain is used for your email address. Instead of an address on the free service, you have info@mojafirma.rs. That immediately seems more serious.
Are all domains the same?
They didn't. The sequels are divided into two large groups.
International (generic) domains they are not tied to any country. They are managed by organizations abroad. Anyone in the world can register them, often without any identity verification.
National domains belong to one country. Each country has its own. Serbia has .rs, and there is also a Cyrillic version, .srb. Serbian national domains are managed by RNIDS, a domestic organization based in Serbia.
Simply put: the international domain is "everyone's", and .rs is "ours".
Why is .rs the right choice for business in Serbia?
1. Google finds you more easily in Serbia
When someone from Serbia types "vulcanizer Nis" or "custom cakes", Google takes into account where the search is coming from. Sites on the .rs domain have an advantage in domestic results. This means more visitors from your area. And these are exactly the people who will buy from you.
Your .rs site is still visible worldwide. Only at home does he get an extra advantage.
2. Customers trust you more
When a customer sees a .rs address, he immediately knows that the company is local. This is important when shopping online. People find it easier to order from someone who is "here", who they can call and return goods to.
There is also a specific check. For a .rs domain registered to a company, anyone can check who is behind the site via the RNIDS WHOIS service. It can then compare that data with the APR register. With most international domains, this is not possible.
If the domain is registered to a natural person, personal data is not displayed publicly. This is prescribed by the law on data protection. That's why for business websites we recommend that the owner of the domain be a company or an entrepreneur.
3. It will be easier for you to find a free name
On international domains, a huge number of names are already taken. Often even the simplest ones. With the .rs domain, the choice is much larger. There is a good chance that the name you want is still waiting for you.
4. Security and protection against misuse
The .rs domain cannot be registered by anyone anonymously. Registration requires information about the owner. It reduces scams and fake sites.
RNIDS also offers additional levels of domain protection. With them, no one can transfer or change your domain without special verification. According to RNIDS, few registries in the world offer so many protection options.
5. Everything is solved here, in Serbian
You register the .rs domain with an authorized registry. These are exclusively companies registered in Serbia. What this means for you:
- You pay in dinars, without conversion and commissions for payments abroad.
- You get support in the Serbian language.
- Support works in the same time zone as you.
- If a domain dispute arises, it is resolved in Serbia, not before some foreign body.
6. Reliability
The site must be up and running. If the domain doesn't work, neither the site nor the email. According to RNIDS data, the .rs and .srb domains have not had any interruptions since their launch.
Who is the .rs domain for?
For anyone whose work, audience or story is related to Serbia:
- small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs,
- local artisans, salons, services and restaurants,
- online stores that send goods throughout Serbia,
- associations, schools and institutions,
- producers whose product bears the name of the region, such as domestic honey, cheese or brandy,
- individuals who want a personal address and email.
Tip: register the Cyrillic .srb version of your name as well. That way no one can take your name on another letter.
How to choose a good domain name?
The follow-up is half the battle. The second half is a good name. A few rules:
- Short is better. Easier to remember and easier to type.
- Make it sound like your job. The name of the company or activity is the safest choice.
- Avoid dashes and numbers when you can. People forget them or type them wrong.
- Watch out for our letters. If the name has ч, ч, ш, ж, or д, think about how people will type it. You can also register a variant without ticks.
- Say it out loud. If you have to spell it over the phone, look for a simpler one.
- Make sure it's not someone else's brand. This way you avoid problems later.
- Register it as soon as you decide. Good names disappear quickly.
In short
| .rs domain | International domains | |
|---|---|---|
| Related to Serbia | Yes | No |
| Advantage in Google search in Serbia | Yes | No |
| Customers recognize it as domestic | Yes | No |
| Verification of company owner | Possible | Mostly not. |
| Payment | In dinars | Often in foreign currency |
| Support | In Serbian, in Serbia | It depends on the seller. |
| Dispute resolution | In Serbia | Abroad |
| Free names | More choice | Very busy |
Register a .rs domain with an authorized registry
WebHostingSerbia is authorized register of RNIDS. This means that we register your .rs domain directly, without intermediaries. We'll help you choose a name, check if it's available and set everything up to get the site and email up and running from day one.
Not sure what name to take? Write to us. We answer in Serbian, quickly and without complications.