Registering a .az domain: how it works and what to check

Options: .az and second-level zones

According to the domain's public records, registrations are possible directly at the second level (example.az) and at the third level under a range of labels, including com.az, net.az, org.az, info.az, biz.az, co.az, name.az, pro.az, as well as restricted zones such as gov.az, edu.az, mil.az and int.az for eligible organisations.

For a business, the direct .az name is usually the most attractive: shorter and more recognisable. com.az is also widely used by companies, often because it was the common option in the past or because the direct name was taken.

Source: .az on Wikipedia, which summarises the registry information.

Who can register

Both companies and individuals can register .az domains. Registrars typically ask for identification details — a company's registration and tax number, or an individual's identity document — and contact information. Requirements differ between registrars, and foreign companies can often register through registrars that handle international clients. Confirm the current requirements with the registrar you choose.

Content restrictions

Registrants confirm that the name does not infringe third-party rights or Azerbaijani law. Names associated with gambling, betting or adult content are not allowed, and domains found to violate the rules can be suspended. Trademark owners can dispute names that infringe their marks.

Choosing a name

• Short, easy to spell and to say aloud — remember that Azerbaijani letters (ə, ş, ç and others) are not used in ordinary domain names, so choose a Latin spelling people will guess.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they are part of your brand.
• Check that the same name is available on the social platforms you use.
• Consider registering common misspellings and the .com version if they matter to your brand. See .az domain vs .com.

Registering in your company's name

The most common problem we see is a domain registered to a former employee, a web developer or an agency "for convenience". When the relationship ends, the business discovers that it does not control its own address. Make sure that:

• the registrant is your company;
• the registrar account is under a company email address that several people can access;
• two-factor authentication is enabled where available;
• you know the renewal date and payment method.

DNS and email

After registration, the domain's DNS records point to your website hosting and email provider. Email authentication records — SPF, DKIM and DMARC — protect your domain from being used in phishing and improve deliverability. See domain, DNS and email setup and email domain security.

Renewal

Domains are registered for a period and must be renewed. Expired domains can be suspended, lost or taken by others after a grace period — and a suspended domain takes the website and email down with it. Set up automatic renewal where possible, and reminders well before the expiry date. Monitoring domain expiry is part of good website maintenance.

SEO

A country-code domain is a signal to Google that the site targets that country. It does not replace good content and local signals, and a generic domain such as .com can rank equally well in Azerbaijan with proper configuration. If you target several countries, a generic domain with language or country sections is often more flexible. See .az domain vs .com.