The Ultimate Guide to Registering an ENS Domain

ENS (Ethereum Name Service) has become one of the hottest topics in the Ethereum ecosystem. As highlighted on its official website, "ENS provides a secure and decentralized way to address resources both on and off the blockchain using human-readable names."

In simpler terms, ENS allows you to bind a domain name to your Ethereum address (or addresses on other supported chains). This mirrors the traditional DNS system on the internet—just as you type "amazon.com" instead of an IP address, you can use "yourname.eth" instead of a long wallet address.

How to Register a .eth Domain

The core operation in the ENS system is registering a .eth domain. Here are key points to remember:

1. Minimum Domain Length: 3 characters.

2. Registration Fees:

   • 3-character domains: $160/year
   • 5+ character domains: $5/year
3. Emoji Domains: Yes, these are supported!

Steps to Register:

1. Visit the ENS Official Manager.
2. Search for your desired domain. If available, click Request To Register.
3. Confirm the transaction via your wallet (e.g., MetaMask).
4. Wait 1 minute, then finalize with a second transaction.

Managing Your Domain

After registration, navigate to the Domain Manager to configure:

• Registrant: The owner who can transfer domain rights.
• Controller: The address for day-to-day management (e.g., setting records).
• Resolver: Translates domain records into addresses or IPFS hashes. The default is the Public Resolver.

• Records:

  • Address Record: Links your domain to a wallet address.
  • IPFS Hash: Directs browsers to decentralized content (e.g., ethhub.eth → IPFS resource).

👉 Learn how to optimize your ENS settings

Subdomains: Flexibility and Customization

Creating Subdomains

1. Click Subdomains in the ENS Manager.
2. Assign ownership and set records (e.g., eric.yourname.eth).

Open Subdomain Registration

Want to allow anyone to register subdomains under your domain (e.g., user.yourbrand.eth)? Transfer control to the Subdomain Registrar Contract.

Warning: This action is irreversible! You can:

• Set fees for subdomain registrations.
• Adjust pricing.
• Transfer control but lose other domain functionalities.

Steps:

1. Approve the registrar contract via Etherscan.
2. Configure domain details (price, referral fees).

Selling Subdomains via Custom Websites

For branding, create a dedicated site like Ethmojis:

1. Clone the Subdomain Registrar GitHub repo.
2. Customize domains.json to whitelist your domain.
3. Deploy using Truffle and Ganache.
4. Host on IPFS by uploading the build folder and updating ENS records.

FAQ

Q1: Can I transfer my .eth domain to someone else?
A: Yes, the Registrant can transfer ownership via the ENS Manager.

Q2: How do I renew my domain?
A: Go to the Expiration Date section in the Domain Manager and follow the prompts.

Q3: What wallets support ENS domains?
A: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and 45+ others.

👉 Explore advanced ENS features

Congratulations! You’re now an ENS expert. Happy decentralizing!