Common Mistakes to Avoid When Registering a .ae Domain

Registering a .ae domain is one of the smartest moves a UAE business can make. It builds trust with local customers, strengthens your brand identity, and helps you establish a clear presence in the UAE market.

However, many businesses make avoidable mistakes at the registration stage, and those mistakes can lead to delays, disputes, or even loss of the domain later on. Below are two of the most common and costly issues, and how to avoid them.

1) Contact Information Accuracy: Small Errors That Can Cost You Your Domain

When you register a .ae domain, the registrant contact details are not just admin fields. They represent the legal and operational ownership record for the domain.

What can go wrong?

If the registrant details are inaccurate or not aligned with the real owner, you may face serious problems later, such as:

• Losing control of the domain during an internal staff change
• Disputes between a business and a former employee or contractor
• Problems when transferring the domain to another registrar
• Failed renewal reminders if the email address is wrong
• Losing access to domain recovery processes

Common real-world mistakes in the UAE

Registering a company domain under an employee name
This happens more often than people think. A company registers a key domain under the marketing manager, IT staff, or a temporary employee. If that person leaves, the business may struggle to prove ownership or regain access.

Registering under a website developer or agency
Sometimes an external website developer, designer, or hosting company registers the domain “on behalf of the client,” but uses their own details. Later, the client discovers they do not have full control of the domain.

Incorrect or outdated registrant email address
One of the biggest operational mistakes is using an old email address, a personal email that is no longer used, or a typo in the registrant email. This is especially important because key domain actions depend on email verification, including receiving notifications and recovering the authorization code.

Why the registrant email matters so much

For many domain management actions, including transfer and auth-code processes, the registrant email address is a primary recovery and verification channel. If it is wrong, your options become limited and the process becomes slower and more complex.

Best practices to avoid problems

• For businesses, register the domain under the official company name, not an individual
• Use a company-controlled email address for the registrant, such as an IT admin inbox or domain management inbox
• Keep contact information current and update it when staff roles change
• Maintain internal documentation of who manages domains and renewals

Quick tip for UAE companies: Create a dedicated email like domains@yourcompany.ae and use it for domain registrations and renewals. This prevents issues when employees change.

2) Cyber Squatting: The Risk of Registering Names That Infringe on Rights

The .ae and (.امارات) namespaces generally follow an open registration model, meaning domains are typically registered on a first-come, first-served basis by anyone from any country.

However, that does not mean every name is OK to register.

What is cyber squatting?

Cyber squatting is when someone registers a domain name that matches or closely resembles:

• A well-known brand name
• A trademarked business name
• A product name or organization name protected by intellectual property rights

Even if the domain registration is completed successfully, it may still be challenged later.

What can happen if you register an infringing .ae domain?

If a domain is found to infringe the rights of others, it may be:

• Subject to a dispute process
• Suspended or removed based on applicable policies
• Transferred or deleted depending on the case outcome

This can lead to wasted costs, business disruption, and reputational damage.

Common examples of risky registrations

• Registering a domain that includes a famous brand name plus a keyword (for example, “brandname-uae.ae”)
• Registering competitor brand variations
• Registering a name that implies official affiliation with a government entity, bank, or well-known organization

Best practices to avoid cyber squatting issues

• Register domains that reflect your own brand, company name, or services
• Avoid names that could be confused with existing trademarks
• If you are unsure, check if the name is trademarked in the UAE or internationally
• Build your brand on clean naming that you can defend long-term

Final checklist before you register your .ae domain

Before completing a .ae registration, make sure:

• The registrant name reflects the real owner (company or individual)
• The registrant email address is correct, active, and controlled by you
• The domain name does not conflict with trademarks or brand rights
• You have a renewal plan and a responsible internal contact assigned

Need help choosing the right .ae domain?

The AEserver team can help you register your .ae domain correctly, avoid ownership mistakes, and protect your brand online in the UAE. If you are registering a business-critical domain, it is worth doing it properly from day one.