Last updated: June 2026
If you run a Singapore service business, your domain is often the first thing customers see before they ever reach your site: yourbusiness.com.sg in an ad, on a van, or in a WhatsApp message.
This guide covers what I know to be true about buying a .sg or .com.sg domain, what the registration rules actually require, and how the domain connects to a modern website hosted on Vercel. I build sites that way at LocalLaunch, so that is the hosting context here, not traditional cPanel or WordPress hosting.
Pricing and promotions change. Where I include numbers below, I have checked them directly or linked to the official source. If something has moved since this page was written, trust the registrar or SGNIC over me.
Which domain extension to choose
For a Singapore business, three extensions come up most often: .sg, .com.sg, and .com.
A .sg domain (for example, yourbusiness.sg) is open to any person or organisation. According to SGNIC, foreign applicants can register too, but they must appoint and authorise a local agent as the administrative contact.
A .com.sg domain (for example, yourbusiness.com.sg) is aimed at commercial entities. SGNIC requires applicants to be registered, or in the process of registering, with ACRA, Enterprise Singapore, or a relevant professional body in Singapore. Foreign companies can apply if they appoint a local administrative contact.
A .com domain is globally recognised but does not signal Singapore the way .sg or .com.sg does. For most local service businesses I work with, .com.sg is the familiar, expected format, though .sg and .com are both valid if they suit your plans better.
Where to buy a .sg or .com.sg domain
.sg domains are country-code domains. SGNIC (Singapore Network Information Centre) is the registry. You do not buy directly from SGNIC. You register through an SGNIC-accredited registrar. SGNIC publishes a list of accredited registrars; prices vary between them.
Singapore-based options on that list include Vodien, Exabytes, Domain Registration Pte Ltd, and Pacific Internet. International registrars such as Gandi and CSC also appear on the list. Shop around for price, support, and how easy their DNS panel is to use. You will need that panel when connecting your domain to hosting.
One thing worth stating plainly: as of June 2026, Vercel does not sell .sg or .com.sg domains. Vercel publishes a supported-TLD list for domain purchases, and .sg is not on it. You can still use a .sg domain with a Vercel-hosted site. You just buy the domain elsewhere and point it to Vercel with DNS records.
What the registration process involves
Eligibility and business details
For .com.sg, you will typically need your ACRA business registration (UEN) or equivalent. For .sg, eligibility is broader, but local presence rules still apply for foreign registrants. Your registrar will ask for registrant and contact details during checkout.
Choose a registration period
Most registrars offer one to three years upfront. The domain must be renewed before it expires. If it lapses, your website and email on that domain stop working. Most registrars send renewal reminders, but it is worth tracking the date yourself.
VerifiedID@SG verification
SGNIC requires all new .sg domain names to be verified through VerifiedID@SG. The administrative contact must complete verification within 21 calendar days of registration, using Singpass or Corppass at verifiedid.sgnic.sg. If verification is not completed in time, SGNIC suspends the domain.
Payment and confirmation
After payment, the registrar activates the domain. You will get access to a control panel where you manage DNS records. That is the panel you use when connecting the domain to Vercel.
Snapshot pricing
.sg and .com.sg registrar pricing
SGNIC does not set retail prices. Each accredited registrar sets its own. First-year promotional prices are often much lower than renewal rates. When budgeting, plan around the renewal price, not the launch discount.
Snapshot checked June 2026. Promotions change. Confirm both first-year and renewal prices at checkout before you buy.
| Registrar | Extension | First year | Renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLDY | .sg / .com.sg | S$28 | S$60 | Listed on registrar website; CLDY is not on SGNIC's accredited registrar list. Confirm they register through an accredited partner. |
Other registrars on SGNIC's accredited list (Vodien, Exabytes, Domain Registration Pte Ltd, and others) set their own prices. Industry guides commonly cite roughly S$40–S$60 per year for .sg domains at standard renewal rates, but I have not verified every registrar individually for this table.
What hosting means when your site is on Vercel
If you have used WordPress hosting before, hosting usually meant renting server space with cPanel, PHP, and a monthly hosting bill. Sites I build are different: the website files are deployed to Vercel, which serves the pages globally on its infrastructure.
The domain and the hosting are separate things. The domain is your address. Vercel is where the site actually lives. The registrar's job, once everything is set up, is mainly to point visitors from your domain name to Vercel.
You are not buying a traditional hosting account in this model. You pay for domain renewal each year, and Vercel hosting (which has a free tier that covers many small business sites) is a separate line item if you need a paid plan.
For more on what you receive after launch, see How handover works at LocalLaunch.
Connecting your domain to Vercel
Add the domain in Vercel
In your Vercel project, go to Settings → Domains and add your custom domain (for example, yourbusiness.com.sg). Vercel will show whether the domain needs an A record (apex/root domain) or a CNAME record (subdomains such as www).
Add DNS records at your registrar
Log in to whichever registrar holds your domain, open DNS settings, and add the records Vercel provides. If you bought through a registrar that is not Vercel, this is an extra step, but it is straightforward once you have the records in front of you.
Wait for propagation
DNS changes usually take minutes to a few hours. Vercel's documentation notes it can occasionally take up to 48 hours. Once propagation completes, Vercel issues an SSL certificate automatically so your site loads over https.
How to explain this to clients
- They are buying a domain name (annual renewal), not a separate WordPress-style hosting package.
- The website itself runs on Vercel, fast managed infrastructure, which is separate from the domain registrar.
- If they already own the domain, you only need DNS access to connect it; they keep paying the registrar for renewals.
- Domain expiry is a real business risk. A lapsed domain takes their site and email offline. Flag the renewal date clearly.
- VerifiedID@SG verification is mandatory for new .sg domains. Someone with Singpass or Corppass must complete it within 21 days.
Common questions
Can I buy a .sg domain through Vercel?
Not as of June 2026. Vercel's published list of TLDs available for purchase does not include .sg or .com.sg. Buy from an SGNIC-accredited registrar, then connect the domain to Vercel with DNS records.
Do I need ACRA registration for .com.sg?
Yes. SGNIC states that .com.sg applicants must be registered or in the process of registering with ACRA, Enterprise Singapore, or a relevant professional body in Singapore. A valid UEN is the usual proof.
What is VerifiedID@SG and who needs to do it?
It is SGNIC's identity verification scheme for .sg domains. The administrative contact must verify the registrant's details via Singpass or Corppass at verifiedid.sgnic.sg within 21 calendar days of registration. Missing the deadline results in domain suspension.
How long does DNS propagation take?
Often under an hour, sometimes a few hours. Vercel's documentation allows for up to 48 hours in rare cases. If the site does not load immediately after adding records, wait before assuming something is wrong.
Should I get .sg or .com.sg?
For most Singapore commercial service businesses.com.sg is the familiar choice. .sg works too and has slightly broader eligibility. .com is fine if you prefer a global extension. The quality of your site matters more than the extension alone.