Managing .nl Domains on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- .nl domains are country-specific domains for the Netherlands with unique rules
- No domain locking or Whois privacy protection available
- Postcode format matters for registration (no spaces: 1234AB)
- Different renewal rules apply depending on your registrar
- Transferred domains get one extra year but lose remaining time from previous provider
.nl domains are country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) for the Netherlands. If you're targeting the Dutch market, they're a solid choice. But they come with specific rules that differ from other domain types on Squarespace.
Registration and Transfer
You can register a new .nl domain through Squarespace or transfer one from another registrar. When you transfer a .nl domain to Squarespace, you get one additional year of registration. The catch is that any time left with your previous provider doesn't carry over. Your renewal date resets to when the transfer completes.
Domain Security Limitations
.nl domains have two important restrictions:
Domain Locking: You can't lock .nl domains to prevent unauthorized transfers. This is a built-in limitation for these domains, not a Squarespace issue. Keep a closer eye on your domain security since this protection isn't available.
Whois Privacy: Privacy protection isn't available for .nl domains. Your registration details will be publicly visible in the Whois database.
Renewal and Expiration Rules
How you renew depends on which registrar handles your domain:
Tucows: If your domain expires, you can't renew it through Squarespace. You get a 45-day redemption period to renew directly with Tucows, usually at extra cost.
Key-Systems: You have about 40 days after expiration to renew through your Squarespace dashboard. If the domain disappears from your dashboard, you might lose the renewal option. Contact Squarespace directly if this happens.
Common Registration Issues
The most common problem is postcode formatting. Dutch postcodes must be written without spaces (1234AB, not 1234 AB). If registration fails, check your postcode format and try again.
FAQs
Can I add privacy protection to my .nl domain?
No, Whois privacy isn't available for .nl domains. Your registration details will be publicly visible.
Why can't I lock my .nl domain?
Domain locking isn't supported for .nl domains. This is a restriction specific to these country code domains.
What happens if my .nl domain expires?
It depends on your registrar. With Tucows, you'll need to renew directly with them. With Key-Systems, you have about 40 days to renew through Squarespace.
How should I format my Dutch postcode during registration?
Write it without spaces: 1234AB instead of 1234 AB.
Jargon Buster
ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain): A domain extension reserved for a specific country, like .nl for the Netherlands.
Domain Locking: A security feature that prevents unauthorized domain transfers.
Whois Privacy: A service that hides your personal information from the public Whois database.
Registrar: The company that manages your domain registration (like Tucows or Key-Systems).
Wrap-up
.nl domains work well for Dutch businesses but come with specific limitations. The lack of domain locking and Whois privacy means you need to be more careful about domain security. Make sure you understand which registrar handles your domain so you know the renewal rules if something goes wrong.
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