What does a domain-only order include?
You purchase registration of the selected available name for the confirmed period, with account management after successful registration. A website is not automatically built. chname.ch does not currently sell web hosting. You can later connect the domain to your chosen website builder or hosting service. A new .ch domain costs €9.99 for year one, or €27 for registration and two future annual renewals. Standard renewal is €12.99 a year.
No hosting still leaves a DNS decision
Nameservers determine where your domain’s DNS records are managed. Choose the default nameservers if you want to manage records through your chname.ch account. For external nameservers, first add the domain to that DNS service and copy the assigned names exactly. The required zone must be prepared for our registration process. A web hosting server is different from a nameserver: do not enter a website URL or ordinary IP address in the nameserver fields.
Connect a website later without buying the domain again
Ask your website builder for the records needed for the root domain and www, such as A, AAAA or CNAME. Add the supplied values and verify that the builder accepts your domain. Arrange website HTTPS with the service delivering the website. Avoid changing nameservers when only a record change is needed: a delegation change can also affect email and verification records. Connecting a website does not require transferring the domain registration to the website builder.
Keep access and plan renewal
Use an existing account email you can access independently of the new domain. Keep the confirmation and review expiry and renewal information in your account. Record who manages DNS and where you plan to build the website. If you need email now, deliberately choose the separate €2.70 monthly mailbox; otherwise skip it. A domain-only purchase still needs timely renewal to retain the registration.
Your practical checklist
- Search your exact .ch domain.
- Choose one year or the prepaid offer.
- Skip optional email if you do not need it yet.
- Choose included DNS or prepare external DNS.
- Keep account access through an existing email address.
- Connect the website later with the required records.
A useful question
Must I buy hosting to register .ch?
No. Registration and web hosting are separate services. chname.ch does not currently offer web hosting.
Can I later connect the domain to an online shop?
Yes, if your chosen shop service supports custom domains. Follow its DNS and verification instructions.
Do I automatically receive SSL for my future website?
Your future website and its HTTPS setup belong to the website or hosting service you choose. They are not automatically included in a domain registration.
Ready to check your name? Start with the exact domain, then compare alternatives. Find a domain →
Sources & further reading
Original guide by chname.ch editorial. Archive dates organise this library; this guide was created and reviewed on . Provider and registry instructions take precedence when requirements change.