When you register a domain name, it is registered for a specific period of time, typically one to ten years. When that period of time comes to an end, the domain will expire. It's important to understand what happens during this process and how to properly renew your domain to ensure that you don't lose it.
Expiration Grace Period
Most generic top-level domains (gTLDs) offer a grace period after expiration during which you can still renew the domain. This grace period is typically 30 days, but it may vary depending on the TLD. During the grace period, the domain will become inactive and any services, such as a website or email, will cease to function. However, the domain can still be renewed or transferred to another registrar. After the grace period, the domain may enter a redemption period, where it cannot be modified or transferred and will continue to point to an expired page.
Redemption Period
The redemption period is a non-guaranteed period of time, usually 30-45 days, after the initial grace period, during which a domain can be recovered. During this time, the domain cannot be modified or transferred and will continue to point to an expired page. To recover the domain, the account holder must pay an additional fee, as well as the renewal fee. If the domain is not recovered from redemption, it will eventually be deleted by the registry and become available for general purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.
Auction
In some cases, a domain may be moved to auction instead of redemption. This means that the domain is no longer the property of the previous registrant and is available for purchase through auction. Once a domain is moved to auction, it cannot be recovered except through purchase at auction.
Tips for Renewing Your Domain
- Enable automatic renewal for your domains to ensure that you never lose time on your registration period.
- Keep track of your domain expiration dates and renew well in advance to avoid unintentional downtime or loss of the domain.
-
Make sure that the email address on your account is up-to-date and actively monitored, as the registrar will contact you regarding upcoming domain expirations.
- Follow the standard renewal steps for renewing domains in their expiry grace period.
- If you are unable to renew your domain during the grace period, be aware that there may be additional fees for recovering the domain
