Published: 21.10.2026
The .direct zone is a generic extension built on a word that means without a middleman and in a straight line. A name in .direct can suit a maker who sells to customers without retailers, a brand site, a direct contact line for a service or an organisation that wants visitors to reach it straight away. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .direct is still free.
Check if a .direct domain is available .direct Check
A short history
Producers have sold straight to the people who need their goods for as long as trade has existed, from farm gates and workshops to small market stalls. Mail order catalogues, later telephone sales and then online shops made it easier to skip the middle step. Today the phrase direct sales covers many models, from brand websites to home visits, and the word direct is still used to describe a link with no intermediary in between.
Who runs it
The zone is a generic extension whose registry operator keeps the database of names and publishes its policies. Selling straight to consumers brings consumer protection and distance-selling rules in many countries, so the operator's terms and the law of each market where you sell both matter. Check the current terms at the time of the order.
Rules in practice
- Who can apply: makers, brands and public bodies can usually register a generic name, subject to the operator's conditions.
- Consumer rights: many countries give buyers the right to cancel online orders and return goods, so publish those rights clearly.
- Permits: door-to-door selling and some regulated goods may need permits in certain places, so check local requirements first.
- Selling area: if you ship only to some countries, say so on the site, because consumer rights and delivery rules change at the border.
Who uses .direct
- Small makers and designers who sell their own products from a workshop or studio.
- Brands that want a clear address for their own website, separate from marketplaces.
- Service providers that offer direct booking and a direct line to the person doing the work.
- Public bodies and charities that publish a direct contact page for the public.
Strengths
- The word is short and plain, and it explains the idea of a direct connection at a glance.
- It fits a brand site, a booking page or a contact hub without needing a long description.
- It is easy to say and easy to print on packaging, a van or a business card.
Things to keep in mind
- The word can mean different things, so explain what the direct connection means on your site.
- A name that promises a direct route should match the way you really work, with no hidden intermediaries.
- Direct sales still need clear terms, delivery information and a complaints route.
- Buyers may still look for a .com address first, so consider whether to own both.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and in the marketplaces where your customers already buy.
- Publish terms of sale, a cancellation and returns policy, and a legal notice before you take orders.
- Configure SPF, DKIM and DMARC before receipts and dispatch notices leave the domain.
- Use your registered business name and address on every page that takes a payment or a booking.
- Enable two-factor sign-in for the registrar and make sure a second person can renew the name.
Frequently asked questions
Does a .direct name mean I sell without any intermediaries? Only if that is true. The name describes a theme, so the site should explain how buying from you actually works.
Do I need a licence to sell directly to customers? It depends on what you sell and where, so check the rules for your products and each market before you start.
Does .direct help a page appear in search? It signals the idea, but clear product pages, honest descriptions and genuine customer feedback usually matter more.
