Buy your .zip domain today

Google Registry runs .zip as a secure namespace, so .zip domains are included on the HSTS preload list. Browsers therefore require HTTPS when accessing a .zip website. You can’t serve a .zip website over plain HTTP.

This means you need a valid SSL certificate for your .zip domain before visitors can access your site. If you’re choosing a .zip domain, check that your hosting provider or website builder supports HTTPS for the domain.

They might, because .zip is also a common file extension for compressed files, and an address such as brand.zip can initially look like a file name rather than a website.

This can work well for businesses related to file compression, downloads or transfers because the connection is immediately relevant. For other businesses, choose a clear, brandable domain name and make sure your website clearly identifies itself as a website.

Some messaging, email and social platforms can automatically turn text ending in .zip into clickable links. This means a file name such as report.zip could potentially be interpreted as a web address.

For businesses using a .zip domain, this can create an unusual link experience. Make sure links are clearly formatted and use the full domain, especially when sharing them in emails, chats or documents.

Some organizations and security systems may block or flag .zip domains because of their association with downloadable files and past security concerns.

This matters most if your customers regularly access your site from corporate networks, schools or other managed environments. Before choosing .zip, consider testing the domain from the networks your target customers are most likely to use.

Anyone can register a .zip domain. There are no industry-specific, residency or licensing requirements for registering one.

The main consideration is availability: if the domain name you want is already registered, you’ll need to choose another name or extension. Some domain names may also be subject to registry rules or premium pricing.

A .zip domain can be a natural fit for file compression, file transfer, downloads, delivery and IT services. For example, a file-transfer tool could use a .zip domain to reinforce what the product does.

It can also work for brands built around the idea of speed or movement. If your business has no connection to files, downloads or speed, another domain extension may communicate what you do more clearly.

.zip remains a relatively small domain extension compared with established extensions such as .com. That means there may be more availability for short, relevant domain names, but it also means fewer people are familiar with the extension.

If recognition is important for your business, consider how easily customers will understand and remember a .zip address compared with a more established extension.

Yes, and because .zip is also used for file names, someone typing a name such as invoice.zip into a browser’s address bar could potentially reach a website using that domain instead of looking for a file.

This is mainly something to consider when choosing the domain name itself. A distinctive brand name is less likely to be mistaken for an everyday file name, while generic names such as backup.zip or invoice.zip can create more obvious confusion.

It can be, especially if your domain looks exactly like a familiar file name. Visitors may hesitate before clicking the link or wonder if they’re opening a file rather than visiting a website.

For a business considering .zip, look at the complete domain as a customer would see it. A distinctive, recognizable brand name can make the purpose of the address clearer, while a generic file-related name may reinforce the confusion.