In today's digital publishing landscape, credibility and visibility are everything. For academic journals, conference proceedings, books, and datasets, a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is not just a technical add-on, it is a mark of authenticity, a gateway to global discoverability, and an essential requirement for indexing in databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and beyond.
If you are a journal publisher in the Asia-Pacific region (India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, or Oceania), you've probably come across the question:
"How do I get a Crossref DOI account for my journal?"
The answer lies in two primary pathways:
Direct membership with Crossref
Indirect membership via a sponsoring organization
In this article, we will explain both options in detail and show you why Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd., an official Crossref Sponsoring Partner operating under the brand OJSCloud.com, is the best choice in the Asia-Pacific region for affordable, reliable, and professional DOI registration services.
What is a Crossref DOI and Why Do Journals Need It?
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to scholarly content such as journal articles, conference papers, datasets, and books. It acts as a permanent link to the content, even if the website changes over time.
Key Benefits of DOIs for Journals
Permanence
Links never break, unlike traditional URLs.
Citations & Metrics
Indexed in citation databases like Crossref Metadata Search, PlumX, SCITE, and more.
Visibility
Improves discoverability in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and other databases.
Professional Recognition
Enhances the credibility of journals, making them more attractive to authors.
International Standards
Required by most indexing and abstracting services for journal acceptance.
In short, if you want your journal to be recognized on a global stage, DOIs are non-negotiable.
Two Ways to Acquire a Crossref DOI Account
Let's break down the two available pathways.
Direct Association with Crossref
If you apply directly with Crossref, you sign up as a Crossref member publisher.
Key Features of Direct Membership:
Annual Membership Fee: USD 275 per year (for publishers with revenue under USD 1 million; larger publishers pay higher).
DOI Prefix: Assigned directly to your organization.
Per DOI Fee: USD 1.00 per DOI deposited (for most journals; books and datasets may differ).
Mandatory Fee: Even if you do not deposit any DOIs in a given year, the annual membership fee must be paid.
Management Burden: You need to manage technical setup, metadata deposits, and compliance.
Who Should Choose Direct Membership?
- Established publishers producing hundreds or thousands of DOIs annually.
- Universities, government agencies, or large academic societies with dedicated IT teams.
- Organizations that want their own DOI prefix for branding purposes.
Indirect Association via a Sponsoring Organization
Crossref also allows journals to work with sponsoring organizations instead of applying directly.
How Sponsorship Works:
The sponsor acts as an intermediary between your journal and Crossref.
Sponsors handle the annual membership fee, technical integration, metadata deposits, and support.
Journals pay only for the DOIs they use—there's no annual obligation.
This makes sponsorship the ideal option for small and medium publishers, societies, and newly launched journals that may not be able to afford the recurring USD 275 membership fee.
Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. is an official Crossref Sponsoring Partner. Under their publishing technology brand OJSCloud.com, they support hundreds of journals across the Asia-Pacific region with affordable DOI registration services.
They offer separate packages for international publishers (USD pricing) and Indian publishers (INR pricing) to make DOIs more accessible.
Crossref DOI Pricing for Non-Indian Clients (USD)
This model allows small publishers to start with a limited investment and scale as needed.
Crossref DOI Pricing for Indian Clients (INR)
This model removes the burden of an annual USD 275 fee and makes DOIs affordable for emerging Indian journals.
Direct vs. Sponsored DOI Accounts: A Clear Comparison
If you are searching for:
Crossref DOI provider in Asia-Pacific
Crossref sponsoring partner in India
DOI registration services for journals
Affordable DOI for small publishers
Best Crossref partner for OJS journals
The answer is Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. (OJSCloud.com).
Final Thoughts
DOIs are essential for the visibility, credibility, and global indexing of your journal. While direct membership with Crossref may be suitable for large publishers, sponsorship through Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. is by far the most affordable and practical option for small and medium publishers in the Asia-Pacific region.
With official Crossref sponsorship, transparent pricing, technical expertise, and end-to-end OJS solutions, Sequence R&D has established itself as the leading Crossref Sponsoring Partner in Asia-Pacific.
If you are ready to enhance your journal's visibility and credibility with Crossref DOIs, look no further than Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. – your trusted partner for scholarly publishing success.
Connect with Our In-House Crossref DOI Expert
Mr. Darshan Patel
COO - Sequence R&D, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
