Published: 17.10.2026
The .bj extension is the country-code domain of Benin, a country on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. Its official capital is Porto-Novo, while Cotonou is the main commercial city. French is the official language, and the country is known for its coastline, its markets and its cultural heritage. Local businesses, schools, artists and community projects use the ending to show a clear link to Benin. Use the availability form that follows this text to see whether your name in .bj is still free.
Check if a .bj domain is available .bj Check
A short history
Benin has a long history of kingdoms and coastal trade, and its cultural traditions are known well beyond the region. The national zone has grown with the country's online life, as shops, media outlets, schools and creative businesses began to publish their own websites. Today it serves a wide mix of local firms and projects.
Who runs it
The zone is administered by a national body, which keeps the register of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to the public and send orders to the registry. The registry's published terms are the place to check holder conditions, documents and renewal, so read them before you pay.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .bj name, so check your eligibility first.
- Contact details: the holder information must be accurate, and it may be checked.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, within the length limits of the registry.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in view, because a lapsed name can be picked up by another customer.
Who uses .bj
- Shops, markets, restaurants and service firms in the towns and cities.
- Artists, craft makers and cultural organisations that present the country's heritage.
- Schools, universities and training providers with French-speaking students.
- Tour operators and travel services that welcome visitors to the coast.
Strengths
- The ending links a site to Benin at a glance, which helps local visitors find the right business.
- The name is short and easy to read on a shop sign, a menu or a business card.
- French is the official language, so the zone suits French-language sites well.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so a business with customers across West Africa may want a generic address as well.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the ending, so print the full address on all materials.
- Internet access and speed differ across the country, so test pages on mobile phones before launch.
- Good short names may already be taken, so prepare alternatives.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether you need both addresses.
- Enter the holder details exactly as they appear in your official documents.
- Publish the site in French, and add English if you serve international visitors, with clear contact details.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you send e-mail from the domain.
- Enable two-factor login on the registrar account and keep the recovery contact active.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be based in Benin to register a .bj name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation. Check the current terms at the time of the order.
Does .bj help a site appear in search results in Benin? It is one geographic signal. Clear French content, a fast site and reliable local information usually matter more.
Can a site in English use .bj? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, but for customers in Benin a French version of the main pages will help.
