Getting online in South Africa starts with two essentials, a domain name and web hosting. If you are budgeting for your first website or reviewing costs for an existing one, it helps to know what you should expect to pay, where the big variables are, and how to keep your total spend under control without cutting critical corners like security or support.
In this guide, you will find clear pricing ranges for popular domain extensions such as .co.za, .com, and .africa, a comparison of one year versus multi year registrations, and a breakdown of typical hosting packages in SA. You will also learn how add-ons like identity protection and SSL fit into the total cost, and how to choose the best value for your needs. This article breaks down the cost of domain registration and hosting in South Africa so you know exactly what to expect.
What you are paying for, in plain language
- Domain name: Your web address on the internet, for example yourbusiness.co.za. You lease it for a set period, usually 1 year, then renew.
- Web hosting: The server space and resources that store your website files and make your site available to visitors.
- Security and extras: Items such as SSL certificates, identity or WHOIS privacy protection, backups, and email hosting.
Domain registration costs in South Africa
Pricing varies by extension since each domain registry sets a baseline fee. Local providers then add a small margin and any value added services.
Typical first year prices you will see in South Africa:
- .co.za: R80 to R130 per year for standard retail. Promotions can dip lower.
- .com: R220 to R320 per year depending on exchange rate and registrar pricing.
- .africa: R300 to R450 per year, with occasional promotional discounts.
How much to register a domain in South Africa? For most small businesses, expect R80 to R320 for the first year, depending on whether you choose a local .co.za or a global .com. Country code or regional options like. africa generally sit a bit higher than .co.za.
How much does a .com domain cost in South Africa? The most common range is R220 to R320 per year. The final price fluctuates with the USD exchange rate since .com is managed by an international registry.
One year vs multi year registration
You can register most domains for 1 to 5 years at a time. The benefits of multi year registrations include:
- Price stability: You lock in a rate and reduce exposure to future price increases.
- Fewer admin tasks: No annual renewal rush or risk of accidental expiry.
- Continuity: Great for brand protection and long term projects.
If your brand name is critical or you plan to build SEO equity over time, consider 2 to 5 years upfront. Even if the per year rate is the same, the peace of mind and protection from price hikes can be worth it.
What does identity protection cost?
Identity protection, often called WHOIS privacy, hides your personal contact details from public domain records. This reduces spam and protects your privacy. Typical pricing in South Africa:
- R0 to R100 per year per domain, depending on the registrar and the extension.
- Some extensions include privacy by default or at no cost. Others do not allow privacy at all for regulatory reasons.
If you handle customer data or prefer not to have your personal email and phone number publicly listed, budget for this small add-on.
What does web hosting cost in South Africa?
Hosting prices vary by the type of service, resources, and support level. Here are typical monthly ranges for local providers:
- Shared web hosting: R30 to R150 for entry plans, R150 to R300 for higher resource tiers. Best for new sites, small business, and portfolios.
- WordPress hosting: R60 to R350 for plans that include optimised servers, caching, and one click installs. Managed WordPress plans can cost more since they include updates and performance tuning.
- VPS hosting: R500 to R2 500 depending on CPU, RAM, storage, and management level. Suitable for growing sites, ecommerce, or custom apps.
- Cloud hosting: R500 to R3 000+ depending on usage and scaling needs. Good for variable traffic and resilience.
- Website builder packages: R60 to R250 when bundled with templates, hosting, SSL, and basic support. Ideal if you want to build a simple site quickly without coding.
How much does it cost to host a domain? If you only want email or DNS with no website files, some providers offer low cost DNS or email only plans from R20 to R80 per month. For a live website, a realistic starting point is R50 to R150 per month on shared hosting. As soon as you need more speed or dedicated resources, plan for R200 to R600 and up.
A quick comparison of typical costs
Use these ballpark ranges to sketch a starter budget for a small business website in SA.
Domain registration, per year:
- .co.za: R80 to R130
- .com: R220 to R320
- .africa: R300 to R450
Web hosting, per month:
- Shared hosting: R30 to R300 across tiers
- WordPress hosting: R60 to R350 across tiers
- VPS hosting: R500 to R2 500
- Cloud hosting: R500 to R3 000+
Website builder packages, per month:
- R60 to R250, often includes SSL and templates
Add-ons, per year:
- Identity protection: R0 to R100
- SSL certificate: Many hosts include a basic SSL at no extra charge. Paid options for organisation validation or extended validation vary widely, often R300 to R2 000+ per year depending on brand and assurance level.
Note: Prices shift with exchange rates, promotions, and resource levels such as storage, bandwidth, and email accounts.
Smart ways to save without cutting corners
- Register multiple years: Lock in pricing and lower admin overhead.
- Start small, scale up: Begin with a shared plan and upgrade as traffic grows.
- Use included SSL: If your host includes a basic SSL, you can skip a paid option unless your business case requires higher validation.
- Bundle services: Some providers offer a free first year domain with a new hosting plan. Check terms, especially minimum hosting duration.
Putting it together, example starter budgets
Personal or portfolio site:
- .co.za domain at R100 per year
- Shared hosting at R80 per month
- Identity protection at R50 per year
- Estimated first year total: about R1,100 to R1,400
Small business brochure site:
- .com domain at R280 per year
- WordPress hosting at R150 per month
- Identity protection at R50 per year
- Estimated first year total: about R2,000 to R2,500
Growing ecommerce site:
- .co.za and .com domains at R380 to R450 combined per year
- VPS hosting at R900 to R1 500 per month
- Paid SSL if needed for brand assurance at R500 to R1 500 per year
- Estimated first year total: R12 000 to R22 000 depending on scale
Clear answers to common questions
- How much to register a domain in South Africa? Expect R80 to R320 for common extensions, with .co.za at the low end and .com in the middle.
- How much does a .com domain cost in South Africa? Typically R220 to R320 per year.
- What does web hosting cost in South Africa? From R30 per month for entry shared hosting up to R3,000+ for advanced cloud solutions. Most small sites land between R50 and R250 per month.
- How much does it cost to host a domain? DNS or email only options can start around R20 to R80 per month. For a website, plan on at least R50 to R150 per month to begin.
- How much does identity protection cost? Usually R0 to R100 per year per domain, depending on the extension and provider.
Where to go next
If you are ready to check availability and pricing, use a trusted local provider with a clear control panel and strong support. You can explore domain options, pricing, and real-time checks here, start with domain registration to see available extensions, then add hosting when you are set on a name. If you prefer an all in one path to launch, consider a plan with a website builder for quick setup and included SSL.
- Explore web hosting plans in South Africa: web hosting
- Compare and register domains: domain registration
- Build your site quickly without coding: website builders
Summary of the Cost of Domain Registration and Hosting in South Africa
Your total cost to get online in South Africa depends on three choices, your domain extension, your hosting plan, and any security or privacy add-ons. A .co.za domain usually costs under R130 per year, a .com sits aroundR220 to R320, and .africa is commonly R300 to R450. Shared hosting can be as low as R30 per month for a basic plan, while WordPress hosting usually runs R60 to R350. Identity protection adds roughly R0 to R100 per year. Registering for multiple years helps you lock in pricing and reduces the risk of accidental expiry. Choose local hosting for speed and support, use included SSL where possible, and scale your resources as your traffic grows. With a clear plan and a reliable local partner, you can control costs, protect your brand, and set your website up for long term success.
