Newsletters 2026

Domains Newsletter - April 2026

Domains newsletter - April 2026

The 2026 .org Impact Awards nominations are open! From April 15 to May 27, any .org domain holder can apply for free for a chance to win up to $50,000 USD. A great opportunity to share with your customers!

Also in this issue: if you work with any Asian-owned businesses or companies trading with Asian markets, we break down how .asia could be an easy upsell win for your portfolio. And if you haven't downloaded our first-ever Web Hosting Industry Report yet - built from 1,155 reseller portfolios and 83 interviews - it's free and full of data you can act on.

And, as usual, we have rounded up the latest policy updates at the end of this newsletter.

Happy reading!

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The 2026 .org Impact Awards nominations have opened on April 15! Over the past eight years, the .org Impact Awards have recognized more than 300 outstanding .orgs from over 120 countries and awarded $865,000 USD for transformative work taking place.

Now is the time for you to get involved and to share this opportunity with your .org customers. From April 15 - May 27, it is free for anyone with a .org to apply for a chance to win up to $50,000 USD!

Read our blog for more information, or apply directly!

Industry insights

The .asia upsell opportunity - how resellers can serve Asia-focused businesses in Europe

Europe has a growing layer of Asian-owned businesses, Asian-focused retailers, and companies trading with Asian markets - and most of them are sitting on a .com or local ccTLD that says nothing about who they serve.

For web hosts and digital agencies, that's an easy upsell conversation waiting to happen. Our latest post breaks down who in your portfolio is a good fit for .asia, and how to bring it up in a way that lands.

Read the full article

Reminder: Openprovider's first-ever Web Hosting Industry Report is here!

Margins are thinner, abuse pressure is rising, and customers expect domains, DNS, SSL and email to “just work” from day one. Our new original research, based on proprietary data on the web hosting industry,breaks down what high-performing providers do differently.

Inside:

  • Insights from 1,155 reseller portfolios and 83 interviews with hosters, managed cloud providers, and ISPs
  • ROI calculators that you can apply to your own hosting business
  • API usage and domain adoption data, plus info on pricing strategies and abuse management

Want to move from traditional hosting to a complete digital infrastructure?

Download the report here

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We have informed you of multiple important updates in the past month. For your convenience, you can find the following communications back on the control panel newsfeed:

  • What to expect from the .de registry's automated Risk Assessment - effective April 14, 2026
  • Important update to Openprovider's abuse handling process - effective as of April 23, 2026
  • .au domain eligibility enforcement - effective from May 1, 2026
  • Important update on .in domain compliance in regards to VPN usage & foreign registrant declarations - effective from May 13, 2026

Log in to the control panel to view all updates

Domains Newsletter - February 2026

Domains newsletter - February 2026

Who says fresh ideas are only for January? February is just as good a moment to explore what’s new.

In this edition, you’ll find a selection of great TLDs in the spotlight - from .buzz to .blog to .fm. On our blog, we’re taking a closer look at DNSSEC and RDAP to help you stay up to date on the technologies shaping the domain space.

We’re also sharing the latest registry updates, answers to four frequently asked questions about day-to-day domain operations, and a new improvement to our WHMCS module to make everyday domain management smoother.

Happy reading!

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February is a good moment to refresh your domain portfolio with new extensions. 

New gTLDs like .cfd.sbs, and .buzz help customers choose names that feel intentional, not generic, and that clearly match their brand or industry.

  • .cfd (clothing, fashion, design) is a natural fit for the fashion industry. Ideal for clothing brands, designers, studios, and creative projects that want a clean, modern domain.
  • .sbs is short for “side by side”. It is well-suited to communities, collaborations, and platforms built around working together.
  • .buzz is direct and expressive. It’s a strong choice for product launches, events, news, and content designed to attract attention.

Looking to broaden your portfolio with domains that are simple to explain and simple to sell? These TLDs are a solid way to start the year strong.

Get them all at Openprovider, starting at just $1 for the first year!*

*Promotions valid until 01/05/2026, for Members only, and for new, one-year registrations only. After the first year of registration ($1 for .sbs, $1.80 for .buzz, $1.88 for .icu, the regular renewal rate will apply. Prices exclude VAT.

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Industry insights

DNSSEC: what it is, why it matters, and how to enable it

DNSSEC is one of those technologies that works in the background, but plays a major role in keeping the internet trustworthy. Without it, the DNS is vulnerable to manipulation, exposing users and businesses to attacks that redirect traffic, steal data, or impersonate legitimate websites.

Go to our blog to learn more about how DNSSEC works - and how to easily enable it for all domains in your portfolio.

What is RDAP? The new WHOIS protocol explained

In a world shaped by GDPR and growing compliance expectations, the RDAP protocol has come in to enhance accessibility to domain industry data, without leaking personal information by default. With WHOIS having sunsetted officially in January 2025, queries for RDAP have shown a significant rise in the past year.

Want to get up to date? Click here to learn more about how RDAP differs from WHOIS and how it impacts you as a domain reseller.

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Two weeks ago, we released a new version of the Openprovider WHMCS domains module with support for WHMCS 9.0.0, along with multiple performance enhancements and bug fixes aimed at improving your experience.

What’s included:

  • WHMCS 9.0.0 compatibility
  • Faster Admin Domain Contacts page using parallel API calls
  • Caching of TLD metadata to reduce repeated API calls
  • New progress bar in the install/update scripts
  • Open DNS Manager in a new tab (toggle in advanced config)
  • Support for overriding dnssec.tpl in custom themes
  • Removed redundant .IT field: Company Registration Number
  • Multiple bug fixes

Get the module on GitHub, or see the changelog for the full details.

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What does it mean when a .co.za domain is registered and put on serverHold?

The serverHold status is applied directly by the registry (ZACR) as part of their automated validation process.

When a newly registered .co.za domain does not pass registry-level nameserver validation at the time of their check, the registry places the domain on serverHold.

Reapplying the nameservers will trigger a new validation check, and the serverHold is lifted immediately once validation succeeds.

My nameserver update shows “Internal Server Error” in the new UI - what to do?

To resolve this, please follow these steps:

  • Log in to the control panel.
  • Navigate to Domains Overview.
  • At the top of the page, switch to the Old Domain Overview view.
  • Update the nameservers for each domain as needed.

What should I be mindful of when registering .be domains?

Always be mindful that all registrant details are correct when registering .be domains. Make sure that the address and phone number associated with the domain are from the same country; e.g., it is not possible to register a .be domain connected to an address in Belgium and a Dutch phone number.

The registry performs very strict validation checks on registrant information. If the details are not 100% accurate, the domain may be revoked.

Where can you change or update the IPS Tag for .uk TLDs on the new Domain Overview page?

You can find the IPS Tag in the Domain Overview section of your Openprovider Control Panel. Please follow the steps below:

  • Log in to the control panel.
  • Navigate to Domains Overview.
  • At the top of the page, switch to the Old Page view, as the IPS Tag is not available in the new interface.
  • Click on the relevant .co.uk domain name.
  • Scroll down the page to find the IPS Tag section.
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We have informed you of multiple price and policy changes in the past month. For your convenience, you can find the following communications back on the control panel newsfeed:

  • Upcoming price increase for .pt domains (effective March 1, 2026)
  • New .de domain registration and data compliance updates (effective as of January 28, 2026)
  • Awareness notice about phishing campaigns targeting .nz domain name holders

Log in to the control panel to view all updates

Domains Newsletter - January 2026

Openprovider

Domains newsletter - January 2026

Happy New Year!

Ever wondered how domain pricing really works, and why the price of the same domain can vary wildly between registrars? Find out in the latest episode of the Openprovider Podcast, in which our CEO, Arno Vis, shares what actually goes on behind the scenes of domain pricing.

In this newsletter, you’ll also find a host of fresh TLD offers - from.org to.eu to.blog! We also share our take on solving four of the biggest current challenges of the domain industry, and the latest update of our WHMCS domains module (our biggest one yet!). 

As usual, at the end of this newsletter, you will also find a roundup of upcoming price and policy changes.

Happy reading!

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.blog is a TLD for customers who create. For writers, educators, freelancers, agencies, and anyone sharing ideas, a.blogdomain signals authenticity and independence.

You can position it to your customers as a home for original content - articles, videos, photos, podcasts, artwork  - all in one dedicated place.

Here are 3 reasons to highlight.blog in your offer:

  • Instant recognition online with a TLD made for publishing.
  • Strong brand alignment for creators and content-driven businesses.
  • More choice for short, memorable domains because of its excellent availability.

And all of that comes at a great price! Until March 31st, register .blog at Openprovider for just $1.99 for the first year.* Now that’s a great deal to start the year!

Learn more about .blog

*Promotion valid until 31/03/2026, for Members only, and for new, one-year registrations only.  After the first year of registration, the regular renewal rate of $20.20/year will apply. All prices exclude VAT.

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Industry insights

Podcast: Inside domain pricing with Arno Vis

Sit down and grab a cup of coffee for our latest podcast with our CEO, Arno Vis! In this episode, we dive into the topic of domain pricing - from bargain-basement promos to niche TLDs.

Arno and Brendan discuss:

  • Why the same domain can cost dramatically different amounts depending on where you buy it
  • How niche and emerging TLDs are reshaping pricing and market competition
  • The role of pricing in building trust and long-term customer relationships
  • Practical guidance for resellers aiming to succeed with the next generation of entrepreneurs

Listen here!

Building a brighter future for the domain industry

On Substack, we ended the year by discussing some of the biggest challenges in the domain industry in 2026. Rising costs, outdated processes, growing abuse problems, and slow innovation are creating real problems for businesses that rely on domains.

We share our vision on how to turn these obstacles into opportunities - with action points for registrars, registries, and resellers alike.

Read the full article here, and join the discussion in the comments!

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We are excited to announce that we released the latest version (v5.9.0) of our WHMCS domains module last month. This is our biggest update to the module yet - if you haven’t updated your module yet, download the update here!

Updates in the module include: 

  • PHP 8.3 support.
  • (Experimental) Bash scripts for one-step installation and upgrade of the module.
  • Per-domain sync button in the WHMCS Admin area.
  • Enhanced Openprovider widget with module version and update check, plus a single function that shows available balance.
  • Support for .fi, .ae, .eu, and .es (.es ANNEX III registrant Acceptance) additional fields.
  • Renewal date sync to WHMCS with WHMCS native domain sync to avoid mismatched dates caused by renewal offsets.

We’ve also implemented several bug fixes to ensure a smoother domain management experience. Consult the full list of updates and fixes here

Download the module on GitHub

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We have informed you of several price and policy changes in the past month. For your convenience, you can find the following communications back on the control panel newsfeed:

  • Prohibited use of disposable and encrypted emails for .in domains (effective January 14, 2026)
  • New validation rules for postal codes and telephone numbers (effective January 28, 2026)
  • Upcoming price increase for .eu domains (effective February 1, 2026)
  • Upcoming price increase for .hk domains (effective February 1, 2026)  
  • Upcoming price increase for .fm domains (effective February 1, 2026 - only for Members)
  • New registrant data accuracy requirements from the .cat registry (effective February 1, 2026)

Log in to the control panel to view all updates

Domains Newsletter - March 2026

Domains newsletter - March 2026

Curious about the domain preferences of startup founders or vibe coders? We break it down in our latest domain industry trend roundup - and there’s a good chance you’ll discover something new.

In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll also find a selection of great TLDs in the spotlight - from .club to .co. On our blog, we’re taking a closer look at multi-year domain registrations and the recent record saleofAI.com.

And, as usual, you can find a roundup of the latest registry updates at the bottom of this newsletter - plus an important update about our control panel newsfeed.
 

Happy reading!

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The .club domain continues to grow in popularity - at Openprovider, registrations have increased by 35% compared to last year!

It’s easy to see why .club is a flexible TLD that works well for online communities, social clubs, retail loyalty programs, and subscription services.

Go to our blog for 4 real-life stories of organizations that chose a .club domain for their website: from a digital marketing agency to a community for female travelers.

If your customers want a domain that feels more engaging and community-driven than traditional options, .club is a strong choice. Until March 31, 2026, get it at Openprovider for just $4.99 for the first year!*

*Price valid until 31/03/2026, for Members only, and for new, one-year registrations only. After the first year of registration, the regular renewal rate will apply. Price excludes VAT. 

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Overall Newsletter - March 2026

Newsletter March 2026

Q1 is coming to a close and it's been a busy one at Openprovider. Here’s what you need to know heading into Q2.

Our Web Hosting Industry Report 2026 is here, breaking down the state of the market, key operational challenges, and where new opportunities are emerging across onboarding, retention, and abuse management.

We’re also diving into email security in our latest Openprovider Podcast with Allan Richards (EasyDMARC), along with a limited-time offer to help you improve customer retention and lifetime value.

If you’re looking to grow margin without adding complexity, you can now try a year of Basic S Membership at an exclusive introductory rate.

You’ll also find practical insights on reducing churn through smarter service bundling, how centralized domain infrastructure gives digital agencies a growth advantage, and what new threats like “vibe coding” mean for your hosting environment.

Happy reading!

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Margins are thinner, abuse pressure is rising, and customers expect domains, DNS, SSL and email to “just work” from day one. Our new original research based on proprietary data on the web hosting industrybreaks down what high-performing providers do differently.

Inside:

  • Insights from 1,155 reseller portfolios and 83 interviews with hosters, managed cloud providers and ISPs
  • ROI calculators you can apply to your hosting business
  • API usage and domain adoption data, plus info on pricing strategies and abuse management

Want to move from traditional hosting to a complete digital infrastructure?

Download the report here

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Podcast

Managing domains, SSL, email, and DNS across multiple clients gets complicated fast. Centralized infrastructure removes that friction - giving you the capacity to onboard new business quickly.

Openprovider Membership helps you turn that growing volume into margin without extra work. For a limited time, new members can try a year of Basic S Membership for just $4.99 (regular price: $49.99) - including your first 5 .coms at $6.99 each. Activate your Membership

*T&Cs: Offer applies to new Members for the first year only. Basic S Membership auto-renews at full price after 12 months. .com domains must be registered before 23:59 CET, 6 April 2026 to qualify for the introductory rate. All prices exclude VAT.

Set up DMARC quickly with EasyDMARC - try it for free for the first two weeks!

EasyDMARC is a hosted DMARC solution that makes DMARC easy to set up and understand for all customers - tech-savvy or not. It’s a natural upsell for every email hosting package you offer.

We’ve made EasyDMARC free for the first two weeks, so you can see how it works for your clients without committing.* 

Don’t miss your chance to test this attractive upsell at no cost! Log in to start your free trial

*Valid until 30/04/2026, for Members only, and on an unlimited number of EasyDMARC subscriptions. After the first two weeks, the regular renewal rate of €6.49 per month will be charged.

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Podcast: Protecting your email infrastructure in the AI age

Podcast

Email is one of the most exploited attack surfaces in your clients' stack - and the threats are getting harder to spot.

In this episode, host Brendan Boyle talks to Allan Richards, MSP Growth Lead at EasyDMARC, about how phishing, spoofing, and AI-powered impersonation are evolving, why so many domains remain unprotected, and what the real cost looks like in practice.

If you manage email infrastructure for clients, this is the gap you don't want to find out about the hard way. Listen here

PS: Ahead of our next Openprovider Mailbag podcast, we're opening the floor to you. Got a question for Openprovider CEO Arno Vis or one of our product experts? Submit it anonymousl: Ask your question here

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In early 2025, Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI, introduced a term that would quietly reframe one of the most significant shifts in software development: vibe coding. For a whole new audience of builders, designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs who had never written a line of code, it opened up a world of possibilities. 

But with lower barriers to creation come new sources of security threats. And for anyone managing web infrastructure on behalf of someone else, that should prompt a more urgent question: is your infrastructure stack prepared for what comes next?

We spoke to cybersecurity expert Luke Wood about the rise of vibe coding as a weapon for fraudsters and the direct implications for everyone managing domain and hosting infrastructure.

If you run a web hosting business or agency, you can’t miss this one. Read the full article on our blog

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Churn rarely begins way before cancellation: 

Fragmented tools, renewal frictions and slow support are driving your customer away, and the underlying loss-leader model in the hosting industry does the rest.

Learn how smarter service bundling across domains helps your hosting business keep customers longer and protect margins. Read about it here.

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Domains and DNS may be sitting in your offering backstage, but really, they are impacting your customer retention and scalability.

Here's how centralized, automated domain infrastructure helps agencies cut complexity, strengthen client relationships, and turn backend operations into a real competitive edge. Read the article now