You’ve probably seen domain names ending in .com, .co.ke, or .org. But have you come across a website ending with .help?

If you have, you already know what that site is about before even clicking the link. That’s the uniqueness of this domain extension.

.help is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) made specifically for websites that offer support, customer service, tutorials, FAQs, documentation, or any form of assistance. 

In this article, you’ll read everything you need to know about .help domains.

You’ll also learn who manages them, key facts and requirements, how much they cost, what people use them for, and where to register one, especially for Kenyans.

Who Manages .help Domain?

The .help domain is managed by Uniregistry. They’re based in the Cayman Islands and have been around since 2012.

The company was started by Frank Schilling, and they also manage other domain extensions you might have seen like .link, .photo, .gift, and .pics.

The .help extension was officially delegated to the root zone of the DNS on August 16, 2014, and became available on November 25, 2014.

While Uniregistry handles the backend infrastructure, you don’t register directly with them. Instead, you register .help domains through accredited registrars like Truehost, Namecheap, and GoDaddy.

. help Domain Facts

How Much Is .help Domain?

Pricing varies depending on where you register. Examples of first-year prices from popular registrars:

.help Domain Registration Requirements

Before registering a .help domain, you need to know the technical requirements:

• Registration length: You can register for 1 to 10 years, giving you flexibility based on your long-term plans.
• Character requirements: Domain names must be between 1 and 63 characters. Some registrars specify a minimum of 2 characters.
• Allowed characters: You can use letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens. However, hyphens cannot be placed in the 3rd and 4th positions of the domain name.
• Restricted characters: Special characters like &, #, @, and $ are not permitted. Spaces and underscores are also not allowed.
• IDN support: Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) are supported. This means you can register .help domains in non-Latin scripts, such as Arabic, Chinese, and Cyrillic.
• Who can register: Anyone can register a .help domain. There are no restrictions – individuals, businesses, organizations, and non-profits worldwide can register

What Is a .help Domain Used For?

a) Customer Support Portals

If you run a business, you can put your customer support on a .help domain. Instead of telling customers to go to support.yourcompany.com, you give them yourcompany.help.

It’s shorter, tells them that’s where they get support, and they’ll remember it when they need help.

b) Knowledge Bases and Documentation

Software companies and tech startups use .help domains to store user manuals, troubleshooting guides, and FAQs.

This keeps all their support content separate from their main website, so customers can find answers without having to dig through marketing pages.

c) IT Help Desks and Managed Service Providers

If you offer IT support services, a .help domain gives your clients a clear place to submit tickets or get remote assistance. The same goes for corporate IT departments to assist employees when they have a tech issue.

d) Educational Tutorials and Online Courses

Teachers, content creators, and anyone who produces how-to content can use .help to build a learning hub. If you’re teaching coding, cooking, or have business skills, the domain name assures visitors that they’ll find guidance there.

e) Non-Profits and Community Organizations

Charities, community groups, and advocacy organizations use .help to direct visitors to resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance programs. The domain name aligns perfectly with their mission of service.

Perfect Cases to Register a .help Domain

Still don’t know if a .help domain is for you? If you belong to one of these categories, you should definitely consider registering one:

• Businesses with existing customer support operations: If your company already offers customer service, adding a dedicated .help domain for support resources enhances your brand and makes support easy to find.

• SaaS and software companies: These companies benefit from hosting knowledge bases, release notes, and troubleshooting documentation separate from their main marketing website. A .help domain helps organize support resources.

• IT consultants and freelancers: Independent IT professionals can use .help to create a professional support portal for clients, streamlining ticket submission and resource access.

• Educational content creators: YouTubers, course creators, and bloggers who produce how-to content can build a centralized resource hub using a memorable .help domain.

• Non-profit organizations: Groups that provide community assistance, crisis support, or educational resources can use .help to clearly communicate their mission of service

Where to Register a .help Domain

Earlier in the article, I mentioned Truehost as one of the .help domain registrars. We are the ideal registrar because we offer you:

• Local pricing in Kenyan Shillings: At Ksh 161 for the first year, Truehost offers the most affordable .help registration option.
• M-Pesa payment option: You can pay using M-Pesa, which is convenient for most Kenyans. No need for credit cards or international payment methods.
• Local customer support: Truehost provides customer support in Kenyan time zones, so you can get help when you need it without dealing with time zone differences.
• Easy domain management dashboard: You can manage DNS settings, enable email forwarding, and handle renewals from one place.
• Free SSL certificates and hosting integrations: When you host with Truehost, you get free SSL certificates and other features that make setting up your .help website easier.

It’s so simple; you can try it now as you are reading this article:

1. Follow this link to Truehost
2. Search for your desired .help domain
3. Add it to cart
4. Complete checkout using M-Pesa 

Final Take

If you’re building a website that offers support, help, or educational content, the .help domain is worth considering. 

It’s affordable, and the name itself tells visitors what to expect the moment they see it. Perfect for a business, an IT consultancy, a non-profit, or a training platform. It makes it easy for people to find the assistance they need.

For Kenyan users, Truehost offers first-year registration at KSh 161, and you can pay using M-Pesa. No credit card required.