Why .CA

.CA is a globally recognized and trusted domain name.

Your .CA address will open doors for your business in Canada and around the world.

Who manages .CA?

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) manages the .CA domain space on behalf of all Canadians.

CIRA is the not-for-profit, member-driven organization that manages Canada's .CA (dot-ca) domain name registry, undertaking activities that promote social responsibility in the Canadian Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally. CIRA processes over 300 million requests per day to connect Internet users with over one million .CA Internet addresses.

To register a .CA domain name you must have a customer relationship with a Registrar (domain name provider). It is not possible to register the domain name with CIRA directly. The Registrar is the link between your organization and CIRA. .CA Registrars are accredited and licensed by CIRA.

Nothing says Canadian like .CA

A .CA domain makes you or your company easy to find and instantly recognizable as Canadian to Internet users around the world. There's no better way to build your brand on the Internet than with a .CA domain.

• Identify yourself as Canadian: .CA is Canada's Internet identity, reserved for Canadians, recognized and trusted worldwide.


• Get the name you want: You'll have a short .CA name that protects your brand and says you're Canadian, not a long .COM name that says you're one of almost 70 million organizations that most Canadians view as American!


• Reach Canadians where they shop: Over 60% of Canadians prefer .CA for online shopping—it's under Canadian law, with no customs or exchange rates.


• Keep your identity secure: .CA domain names are kept safe and secure in an independent national registry.

Establish your Internet presence with a Canadian domain name

Domain names are the familiar and easy-to-remember names like cira.ca that are used to identify websites on the Internet. .CA domain names are reserved for Canadians. Having one is essential to building your brand and serving your customers in Canada.

Getting a .CA domain name is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

1. Choose a .CA domain name and check its availability using the search tool on the home page of this website.


2. Select a CIRA-certified Registrar from the list provided after a search is complete. Register the .CA domain name with the Registrar.


3. Validate your information with CIRA to complete the registration process. Some Registrars allow you to validate your information directly on their website. Otherwise, you will receive an email from CIRA with instructions for validating your information and completing the registration process.

Why do you need a Registrar?

Your domain name can only be registered or modified through a Registrar — an individual or organization that provides this service.

You must confirm the registration with CIRA, which maintains the .CA domain name registry. Because the registry is independent, your domain name is safe even if your Registrar goes out of business.

Remember!

.CA domain names are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The only way to ensure that you get the domain name you want is to register it before someone else does.

It's a good idea to register your domain name as soon as you choose it. You don't have to have a website or an agreement with a hosting service before you register the name.

In order to turn a domain name into a website on the Internet, you will have to design a site and select a hosting service. Many CIRA-certified Registrars offer these and other related services.

 

 

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