About .consulting domain
.consulting is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that emerged from ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program. The registry is operated by Dog Beach, LLC, a Donuts subsidiary, which signed a Registry Agreement with ICANN on December 5, 2013. The extension was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on March 31, 2014, and became available for public registration shortly thereafter. It was designed as an open TLD, meaning no pre-registration verification is required, allowing any eligible registrant to claim a .consulting domain through accredited registrars.
Who can register .consulting domain
.consulting is an open gTLD with no geographic, organizational, or professional restrictions — anyone worldwide can register a domain under this extension. There is no requirement to prove that you work in or operate a consulting business. Individual professionals, firms, agencies, and even non-consulting entities may register freely. No documentation, trademark ownership, or membership in a professional body is needed to complete a registration.
How to register .consulting domain
Search for your desired .consulting domain name using a registrar's availability tool. Because this is an open TLD, many short and descriptive names may already be taken, so prepare a few alternative options before you start.
Compare pricing across multiple ICANN-accredited registrars, paying attention to both the first-year registration price and the renewal rate, which can differ significantly. Also check whether WHOIS privacy protection is included or offered as a paid add-on.
Complete the checkout process by selecting your registration term — typically one to ten years — and adding any desired extras such as WHOIS privacy, auto-renewal, or hosting. Locking in a multi-year term at registration can protect you from price increases at renewal.
After purchase, verify your registrant contact email address as required by ICANN, then configure your DNS settings to point the domain to your website, email provider, or other service. Keep your contact details accurate, as ICANN policy requires registrant information to remain up to date.
Typical uses of .consulting domain
.consulting is most commonly chosen by independent consultants, advisory firms, and professional service providers who want a domain name that immediately communicates what they do. Rather than competing for a crowded .com name, a consultant can pair their personal name or brand directly with the extension — for example, a strategy or management consulting practice can use the TLD as a natural descriptor. Freelancers, boutique agencies, and corporate advisory divisions also use .consulting to create memorable, purpose-driven web addresses that reinforce their professional positioning to prospective clients.
Tips for registering .consulting domain
- Registration terms are typically available from one to ten years; registering for multiple years upfront can lock in current pricing and reduce the risk of accidental expiry.
- Pay close attention to the renewal price, not just the introductory rate — some registrars offer steep first-year discounts that revert to a higher standard renewal fee.
- WHOIS privacy protection is widely available for .consulting domains and is worth enabling to limit exposure of your personal contact information in the public WHOIS database.
- After registration, most registrars apply a transfer lock (commonly 60 days) during which the domain cannot be moved to another registrar, so choose your registrar carefully before purchasing.
- Premium domain names exist within .consulting and are priced above standard registration fees; if a name you want is listed as premium, expect higher renewal costs as well, not just a one-time elevated purchase price.