How to Renew an Expired Domain Name Essential Tips

A website relies on two pillars which are domain and hosting. Domain names especially have a huge stake in how your website performs. Timely domain renewal is important for website visibility and credibility.

But have you wondered what happens when you don’t renew your domain name on time? – In this article, we discuss how to renew an expired domain name and essential tips. Read to learn how you can protect your Australian domain name.

What Happens When a Domain Name Expires and Why is Timely Renewal Important?

An expired domain name comes with a number of potential risks. For example, Your website and related services, like email hosting, will become inaccessible to your audience.

Domain names come with a grace period — around 30-45 days — during which you are allowed to renew them.

Once the grace period is over, and if the domain is still not renewed, the domain registrar offers redemption with significantly high renewal fees. This period usually lasts around 30 days. After this period, if the domain is still not renewed, it is sent back to the available domain pool.

At this stage, anybody can register and buy the domain, which is a permanent loss of the domain and a total loss of brand identity. Further, you will also face –

1. Website interruption where your audience will find an error message when trying to access your website.
2. Disruption in the usage of emails
3. If the domain falls into the wrong hands, the email address can be misused.
4. Draws down SEO efforts
5. Significant recovery cost

How to Renew an Expired Domain Name – Essential Tips

1.     Check the Availability of the Expired Domain Name

First, before starting the renewal process, check whether the expired domain you are planning to buy is still available or not. You can use various tools to check whether the domain is available.

2.     Understand the Renewal Process of the Registrar

Every domain registrar has a different renewal process, so understand your particular domain registrar’s renewal process.

3.     Make the Domain Ready for Renewal

• Check if all the contact information in the records of a domain registrar is rightly filled like email address, contact details
• There are enough funds in the domain account as per domain renewal charges
• Check for any add-on service you need
• Create a Backup of website data (ensure a copy in case of any issue)

4.     Initiate Renewal Process

• Log in to your domain registrar account and check for renewal section
• Select the expired domain name you want to renew
• Choose the appropriate domain period – one year or multiple, whichever suits you
• Add any additional service
• Verify and confirm all details of the renewal
• Pay for renewal by choosing the suitable payment method
• Check renewal confirmation in the mail

5.     Modification Domain Settings

• If there are changes in web hosting or the name server, modify the setting so the domain points to the right web server.
• Modify DNS setting (any changes in website or email hosting)
• Ensure contact information is the right
• For better protection, enable a privacy protection policy

Common Reasons for Domain Name Expiry

Domain names can expire for a number of reasons. The following are some common reasons.

1. A lack of balance in the Domain Accounts and disabling auto-renewal simultaneously can lead to domain expiration.
2. Outdated or inappropriate billing information can lead to a lapse in domain renewal.
3. In case someone missed the domain renewal reminder sent
4. Grace Period Lapse

Conclusion

The procedure for renewing an expired domain name differs from registrar to registrar. Therefore, ensure you follow the specific guidelines and deadlines set by your registrar when you buy expired domains. To avoid any further expiration issues, ensure you keep an eye on renewal dates and plan ahead.