Thinking of getting a .tz domain? Great choice. Getting a .tz domain is a boss move that will have you ranking locally and give your business legitimacy and trust in Tanzania.

If you are stressing about registering a .tz domain, don’t; you don’t need tech skills to get one. 

After reading this guide, you will comfortably pick a perfect domain name, get a reliable domain registrar, and register a .tz domain.

So, brace yourself, you are about to transform your personal brand, business, or organization with a new .tz domain.

Understand the Requirements

Before you register a .tz domain, you must understand the .tz domain requirements to be all set when registering. 

While some of the .tz domains, such as the .co.tz, do not require much documentation, registration requires some basics. 

First, you need proof of identity, such as an ID or passport, to register a business or individual website. You also need business registration documents for a business website. 

Secondly, you need Tanzanian contact details. You can provide:

• A locally registered Tanzanian number
• A real physical address 

You also need an accessible email address to receive a verification email once you have registered your .tz domain. 

How to Register a .tz Domain

With all the requirements in hand, here’s how to register a .tz domain easily:

Choose a Domain Name

The domain name represents your business or individual brand. It is your identity. You can have your business name as the domain name to ensure it aligns with your business.

You should also consider and follow the domain rules when choosing a domain name. Examples of general domain rules: 

1. The 63 character length restriction, not inclusive of the Top-level domain (.tz, .com, .net)
2. Domain name contains letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-)
3. Domain name should not start or end with a hyphen (-)
4. No special characters or spaces 
5. Domain name must not violate trademarks

Also, pick an appropriate domain extension depending on the business purpose. Examples of .tz domain extensions and their purpose: 

.tz extension	Purpose
.co.tz	Best for business and commercial sites
.or.tz	Used for charities and NGOs
.go.tz	Best for Government institutions
.ac.tz	Used for Academic institutions
.ne.tz	Best for Internet service providers

Tip: You know you have picked a good domain name when you can easily remember it and type it in milliseconds; the shorter, the better.

Lastly, when choosing a domain name, check whether it’s free to register on the official Tanzania Network Information Centre (tzNIC) website or a .tz domain registrar. 

Pick a Domain Registrar

You cannot register a .tz domain yourself. To proceed, you need to get an accredited .tz domain registrar. 

When choosing a domain registrar, remember that your registrar will guide you and offer assistance if you encounter problems. Hence, pick a good one. 

Here’s a short checklist you can use to get a good .tz domain registrar: 

• Ensure the registrar has official approval from TzNIC
• Check if they have the domain extension you need
• Confirm the documentation requirements for domain registration
• Look for responsive customer support: live chat, email, or phone
• Check if they provide free DNS management or bundled hosting
• Check renewal policies and avoid registrars with unfavourable auto-renewal setups or high renewal fees
• Read feedback from other customers about reliability and service
• Ensure the registrar has an easy domain transfer policy

Register the Domain

So far, you know the requirements for domain registration, how to check for domain availability, and how to choose a .tz domain registrar. 

Next, provide the required details and follow the registration procedure provided by your domain registrar. Different domain registrars follow varying processes.

For example, if Truehost TZ is your domain registrar, the registration process looks like: 

1. Choose the domain name and the extension example, .co.tz, . Some TLDs have restrictions or extra steps.
2. Truehost checks if the domain is available. If it’s taken, they suggest close alternatives or different TLDs.
3. Thirdly, you’ll see the registration price and available add-ons: ID protection (WHOIS privacy), DNS management, email forwarding, and optional hosting bundles. Note, the pricing depends on the TLD and billing period.
4. Then, you create/confirm your Truehost account.
5. Next, provide the registrant’s contact info required by WHOIS, including your name, email, address, phone number, ID, and business documents.
6. Choosing nameservers: You can use Truehost’s default nameservers, set custom nameservers, or manage DNS with Truehost.
7. Then, pay and confirm to process registration. For some TLDs, WHOIS verification or additional documents may be required before activation.
8. Wait for activation and propagation; Most domains activate within minutes to a few hours. Some TLDs take up to 24–48 hours. 
9. After activation, you can manage DNS records, enable ID protection, renew the domain, set auto-renew, get an EPP code (for transfers where supported), or order hosting or email.

DNS and Hosting Configuration

After registration, you must point your domain to a hosting provider so your website or email works.

The process involves updating the DNS settings with the nameservers provided by your hosting company.

While some registrars offer .tz domains bundled with hosting, if you purchase a domain only, you must get hosting for your website to be functional. 

Tip: Truehost Tz offers free hosting for one website. This plan includes free SSL, one email account, support, cPanel access, and more.

Domain Renewal

Registering a .tz domain gives you one year of domain ownership. Therefore, you need to renew it on time. 

You can set domain renewal as part of your registration processes by activating auto-renewal if your registrar has that option. 

Why You Should Register a .tz Domain

To build a loyal Tanzanian audience for your business, you should register a .tz domain. A .tz domain elevates legitimacy and helps users trust you easily. 

In addition, it is easier for customers in Tanzania to find you with a .tz domain vs a .com domain because with a local domain, you are likely to rank higher in Tanzania.

Due to the loose restrictions on registering a .com, getting a perfect, memorable domain name is hard. With a .tz, you can easily get a domain name that will stick with users with just one click.

Final Take

Getting a .tz domain can give your business new meaning. It’s easy: check the registration requirements, pick the correct name, choose a trusted registrar, and set up hosting.

If you don’t know when the perfect time is to register a .tz domain, check whether the domain you have in mind is available for registration with Truehost Tz.