Your domain name is much more than a digital address—it’s a representation of your brand and identity online. With advancements in technology, managing these vital assets has transformed significantly. Let’s dive into the differences between 3DNS, an onchain domain registrar, and traditional domain systems like those offered by Squarespace.

What is Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder that offers a comprehensive solution for creating and managing websites. This includes the ability to purchase and manage domain names directly through its platform. Squarespace is designed for users looking for an integrated experience, combining website design, hosting, and domain management in one place. This platform provides domain registration, automatic renewal, privacy features, and DNS management tools. Also, with Squarespace, users enjoy features like automatic SSL/TLS certification, and easy domain forwarding.

However, it’s important to note that this convenience comes with a degree of reliance on a centralized system. In a centralized setup, all decisions and control lie with the platform provider. While this can streamline processes, it also means users have limited control over their domain and are subject to the platform’s rules and policies.

What is 3DNS?

3DNS is an onchain domain registrar that allows users to register domains as tokenized assets on the blockchain. This method offers a number of advantages, including increased security through cryptographic means, which greatly minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. 3DNS leverages smart contracts for automating domain management tasks, ensuring more efficient and direct control over your domain. Beyond basic domain services, 3DNS domains can interact with decentralized applications (DApps) and facilitate cryptocurrency transactions, offering a broader utility than traditional domains.

Domain Selling, Renewal, and Transfer

Squarespace does not directly facilitate the selling of domains. Users wishing to sell their domains must transfer them to another registrar that supports this activity. Squarespace offers automatic renewal for domains to prevent accidental expiration, with an option for manual renewal. The platform provides a process for domain transfer in or out, albeit with some limitations typical of centralized registrars. 3DNS, enables users to sell domains as digital assets or NFTs on various marketplaces, offering a clear path to monetization. Domains on 3DNS offer immediate and secure transfers, leveraging blockchain for a seamless and dispute-free process.

Cost Differences

Squarespace operates on a subscription-based pricing model, designed to cater to a range of needs from personal websites to comprehensive e-commerce platforms. The cost includes not just domain registration, but also access to Squarespace’s suite of website building, hosting, and management tools. For new users, Squarespace often includes the cost of domain registration for free for the first year when signing up for an annual subscription plan. After the first year, the domain renewal fee applies, which aligns with standard market rates and varies depending on the domain extension chosen (.com, .net, .org, etc.).

For 3DNS, the pricing involves an annual tokenization fee that converts the domain into a digital asset or NFT (non-fungible token) onchain. This recurring fee ensures the domain remains active and securely managed within the decentralized framework of 3DNS. In addition to the annual tokenization fee, there is another fee that varies based on the selected Top-Level Domain (TLD). This means that the total cost for registering and maintaining a domain with 3DNS is influenced by the specific TLD chosen, as different TLDs can have varying prices. You also pay gas fees on Optimism, with the implementation of EIP-4844 this drastically reduces gas fees allowing for actions requiring blockchain transactions, such as the initial registration or subsequent transfers of the domain, may become more affordable.

3DNS Offers Blockchain Integrations

3DNS, leverages blockchain to facilitate unique integrations with Web3 platforms such as Heavens Tools and WebHash, significantly expanding domain functionalities. Through Heavens Tools, owners of 3DNS domains gain access to tools for building websites. Meanwhile, WebHash offers a decentralized content delivery network that enhances website performance and reliability by distributing content across a network of nodes, leading to improved load times and reduced downtimes.

3DNS allows you to own your domain securely onchain which means instant domain transfers and support for various decentralized applications. 3DNS is committed to providing your domain better security, decentralization, and direct control over your domain.