.ws Domain Registrationfrom £56.32/yr
Why Choose a .ws Domain?
The .ws extension is the country-code top-level domain for Samoa, operated by the Samoa Domain Registry. Although it's a ccTLD, it has been marketed globally since the early 2000s as a generic alternative — often pitched as standing for "website" or "web services". It's fully unrestricted and has become a popular fallback when a desired .com is taken, particularly for short, brandable names and tech-leaning projects.
Ideal for:
- SaaS and web app startups using "ws" as shorthand for "website"
- Personal portfolios looking for a short alternative to .com
- URL shorteners and link-in-bio services
- Creative agencies and freelance web designers
- Businesses with Samoan ties or operations in the Pacific
Things to know:
- Unrestricted — anyone, anywhere can register a .ws domain, with no local presence requirement.
- Two-letter and short three-letter .ws domains are typically classed as premium and priced significantly higher than standard registrations.
- Although technically a ccTLD for Samoa, it's commonly read as "website" in marketing contexts, which influences buyer expectations.
Creative .ws Domain Ideas
- Stitch.ws — a no-code site builder for makers
- Folio.ws — hosted portfolio pages for designers
- Quickly.ws — a URL shortener with analytics
- Atlas.ws — a directory of indie web apps
- Pacifica.ws — a travel blog focused on the South Pacific
- Ledger.ws — a lightweight invoicing tool for freelancers
Frequently asked questions about .ws
Anyone, anywhere. Despite being the country-code domain for Samoa, .ws has no local presence or eligibility requirements. Individuals, companies, charities and developers from any country can register one, which is part of why it has been adopted as a generic global alternative to .com and .net.
You can register a .ws domain for between one and ten years at initial registration, and renew in similar increments. Registering for multiple years up front locks in your name and avoids the risk of forgetting to renew. You'll get renewal reminders by email well before the expiry date.
Yes. To transfer in, unlock the domain at your current registrar, request the EPP authorisation code, and start the transfer from your new account. The process usually completes within five to seven days and extends the registration by one year. Domains within 60 days of initial registration cannot be transferred under ICANN rules.
Often, yes. The registry classifies many one and two-character names, and some highly desirable short or dictionary-word names, as premium. These carry higher registration and renewal fees than standard .ws domains. The domain search will flag any premium pricing before you commit to a purchase.
After expiry there's a grace period during which you can renew at the standard price. After that it enters a redemption period with a higher recovery fee, and finally it's released back to the public pool for anyone to register. Setting auto-renew or registering for several years up front is the safest approach.