Short answer
A law firm domain name usually costs about $10–$25 per year for a standard .com registration. Specialty extensions such as .law, .legal, and .attorney often cost more, and the price can vary substantially by registrar and renewal term. Treat advertised first-year prices as introductory offers until you check the renewal price. If a website provider includes the domain, hosting, and SSL in its plan, compare the full subscription cost rather than adding those items twice.
What do .com, .law, .legal, and .attorney usually cost?
The table gives broad retail estimates, not fixed prices. Prices change by registrar, promotions, renewal rates, and whether a name is considered premium. Check the registrar’s current checkout price before purchasing.
| Extension | Typical registration or renewal range | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| .com | About $10–$25 per year | Familiar to clients and widely available, but your preferred name may already be taken. |
| .law | About $100–$300 or more per year | A legal-industry-specific extension that can carry a higher annual price. Check current eligibility and registry requirements before registering. |
| .legal | About $30–$100 per year | Clearly signals a legal connection, but may cost more than a standard .com. |
| .attorney | About $30–$100 per year | Identifies the profession in the address; confirm the exact renewal price and any applicable registration conditions. |
These ranges are estimates of typical retail pricing, not quotes. A registrar may advertise a low first-year rate and charge a higher renewal price. Some names are also marked as premium, which can mean a higher initial price and potentially higher renewals. The only dependable price for a particular domain is the price shown for that exact name and term at checkout.
Why can the price change after the first year?
Domain registrars set retail prices, and promotions can make the first year much cheaper than later years. Some registries also set higher wholesale prices for particular extensions or premium names. That means two registrars may show different prices for the same extension, and an extension’s renewal may not match its advertised registration deal.
Before buying, review:
- Renewal price: Find the cost for each year after the introductory term.
- Registration term: Check whether the price applies for one year or requires several years upfront.
- Premium-name pricing: Confirm that the domain is not priced as a premium name, and check whether premium renewal rates apply.
- Privacy and add-ons: See whether domain privacy, email, or security features are included or billed separately.
- Transfer and renewal terms: Read how to transfer the domain and how automatic renewal works.
A domain extension does not by itself establish a firm’s qualifications or make a website more effective. Choose an address that clients can read, remember, and type without confusion.
Which extension should a law firm choose?
For many firms, .com is a practical first choice because clients already recognize it and it is easy to communicate aloud. A firm may consider .law, .legal, or .attorney if a suitable name is available and the extra annual cost fits the budget. Compare the full address, not just the extension: a short, clear domain is often easier to share than a long name built around a particular suffix.
Check that the domain matches the firm’s name or is otherwise easy for clients to connect with the firm. Avoid unnecessary hyphens, unusual abbreviations, and words that could be mistaken for another business. Before registering, search the exact name and similar versions to spot possible confusion. For extension-specific requirements, review the current registry terms and your registrar’s registration conditions.
What costs belong in the website budget?
The domain is only one line in the cost of running a firm website. Depending on the provider, a firm may pay separately for design, hosting, SSL, maintenance, and software. A low domain price does not tell you what those services add to the total.
Compare the complete cost over at least two years. Include the domain’s renewal, hosting, website charges, required add-ons, and any separate practice-management subscription. Also check who controls the domain account and who owns the site and its data if you leave the provider.
Some services bundle website essentials into a monthly plan. LegalWebDesigns, for example, offers $0 setup and a $49 monthly plan, or $490 annually, with domain, hosting, and SSL included. Its plan also includes practice-management software and an AI website assistant that uses the firm’s own API key. The firm owns its site and data, and there are no contracts. Review the pricing page to compare the included services and terms.
What to do next
- Write down your preferred firm name and two short alternatives.
- Check availability and the current first-year and renewal prices for each extension.
- Compare the complete website cost, including hosting, SSL, software, and required add-ons.
- Confirm account access, transfer terms, and ownership before committing.
- Choose the clearest available address that fits your budget and is easy for clients to remember.
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