Your domain name is a key part of your online presence. Whether it’s a personal blog, business site, or online store, keeping it active is essential. But when it’s time to renew, it’s easy to miss important details—especially if you’re unsure where it’s registered or what to look for.
Step 1: Find Out Where Your Domain Is Registered
If you’re unsure where your domain is currently registered, start by visiting lookup.icann.org. This free tool allows you to find key information about your domain, including the name of the registrar, who it’s registered to, and when it expires. Knowing your registrar is the first step toward managing your domain properly. Once you have that information, log in to your account to check your renewal settings.
Step 2: Enable Auto-Renewal
To avoid your domain expiring, it’s a good idea to enable auto-renewal. Set up for your domain to renew automatically to ensure it remains active without any hassle.
Without auto-renewal, you could risk losing access to your website or email if the domain lapses. Most registrars send reminders, but setting it to renew automatically adds an extra layer of protection.
Step 3: Verify Your Payment Information
Auto-renewal only works if your payment information is current. Take a moment to check that the credit card or payment method linked to your registrar account is valid and not expired.
Make sure to update your payment info right away if your card has changed. A failed renewal payment can lead to service interruptions or additional fees to reactivate your domain.
Step 4: Update Your Contact Details
While you’re reviewing your account, check that your contact information is accurate. Registrars use your contact info to send renewal and verification emails.
Make sure your name, address, and phone number are all correct. Accurate records not only help with communication but are also required by domain regulations.
Step 5: Don’t Use Your Domain-Based Email as the Primary Contact
If your domain expires, any email address that ends in that domain (like info@yourdomain.com) may stop working. That’s why it’s important to use an external, reliable email, such as a Gmail or Outlook address, as your primary contact with the registrar.
This ensures that you’ll still receive important renewal reminders, even if your domain is temporarily offline.
A Few Minutes Now Can Prevent Bigger Issues Later
Learn from these tips for your business. Letting a domain expire can cause downtime, lost traffic, and costly recovery. Staying ahead helps safeguard your online presence. An active domain on auto-renewal with up to date contact information is critical.
Take these small steps to ensure your website stays accessible, without any last-minute surprises. Contact us today.
