What to do when your web domain expires?

A common situation many website owners face is forgetting to renew their domain in time. This scenario can lead to temporary interruptions or even permanent loss of the domain. Here’s how expiration works and what timeframes you have to take action.

What happens when a domain expires?

When your domain expires, your website and associated emails stop working. Additionally, the domain temporarily becomes inactive, entering a specific period during which you can still recover it. During this time, visitors might encounter error messages or be redirected to generic domain provider pages, negatively impacting your business’s reputation and trust.

Periods after domain expiration

• Grace Period: Usually between 30 to 45 days after expiration. You can renew your domain at the regular price without additional fees. During this period, your domain remains protected from third-party registrations.
• Redemption Period: After the grace period ends, your domain enters a redemption period lasting about 30 additional days. Renewing at this stage involves higher costs imposed by registry authorities.
• Pending Delete: Following the redemption period, the domain enters a 5-day deletion period, after which it becomes available for anyone to register. Recovering it at this point can be complicated or impossible.

Consequences of losing a domain

Losing your domain can lead to serious consequences like prolonged service disruptions, loss of traffic, damage to your corporate image, and potentially high recovery costs. Additionally, another person could register your domain first, forcing you to negotiate or even face legal disputes to regain ownership.

How to avoid accidental domain expiration

• Enable automatic renewal with your domain provider.
• Keep your contact information up to date.
• Set reminders for renewal dates.
• Renew your domain well in advance, preferably several months ahead.

Frequently asked questions