Registration happens automatically as soon as payment clears. The domain then appears in your client area under Domains, where you can manage it.
Why you cannot use it immediately
Registering a domain and that domain working everywhere are two different things. Once registered, the details have to spread across the internet's name servers, which is called propagation. Until it completes, some people can reach the domain and others cannot.
This usually takes minutes to a few hours. Allow up to 48 hours before treating it as a fault, particularly for a brand-new registration.
What you can do meanwhile
You do not have to wait to start work. Build the site and preview it using your hosts file – see Previewing your site before you point the domain.
Certificates come after
The free certificate cannot be issued until the domain resolves to our server, because that is how ownership is proved. So expect the padlock to appear a little after the site does. See How AutoSSL works and when your certificate renews.
Registrations that are not instant
- Some endings have extra requirements or a registry that does not respond instantly
- An order held by our fraud checks – usually where the payment card address does not match the account address
- Payment by bank transfer, where registration follows the funds arriving
Check the spelling immediately
Registration is instant and cannot be undone. Check the spelling before ordering – see Can I cancel a domain name.
