Domain Names and Longevity

It begins as an idea -- a company name, a business venture, a personal project. You research available domain name options, choose the one you want, and finally register it. Or perhaps the perfect domain was in use before, and you register it after it completes the domain deletion cycle.

After going through the selection and registration process and then using the domain to brand your business, do you want to risk losing your domain?

Of course not.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A DOMAIN NAME

To avoid losing a domain after you've registered it, let's look at the stages that each domain goes through.

It's available

When you look up the domain in Whois records, it's available for registration. It may never have been registered before, or it may have already been through one or more domain name cycles.

It's active

Someone has registered the domain for the current time period. Domains can be registered for a minimum of one year and up to 10 years at a time. Some country-specific domain name extensions (e.g., domains ending in .uk and .au) can be registered for only shorter time periods. When a domain is nearing the end of its active period, an email notification is sent to the address in the record for the domain name registrant.

If the registrant renews the domain before it expires, it stays active. Otherwise, the cycle moves to the next stage.

It's expired (on hold)

A registrant had the domain name registered but didn't renew it before the expiry date. The domain name registrar may hold the domain to allow the registrant to re-register it, which would return the domain to active status. This time period is typically 45 days, but it may be longer, shorter, or non-existent, depending on the registrar.

The website and email for the domain might still work for a few days after a domain enters this stage. The domain cannot be transferred to another registrar at this stage, however.

It's in the Redemption Grace Period (RGP)

The domain is held in a 30-day redemption period, during which the registrant can still re-register it, perhaps with an additional service fee at this point. The website and email for the domain no longer work. However, the domain is not yet available to the public.

It's pending delete

This registry hold period, the last stage of the cycle, is five days.

It's available

Anyone can now register the domain name. The cycle can begin again.

THE BENEFITS OF LONG-TERM DOMAIN REGISTRATION

It's more convenient

When your domain is registered for several years, you only have to renew it once every several years. You also avoid the inconvenience of possibly having your site and email go down if you miss an annual renewal deadline.

It's less expensive

Some domain name registrars offer a discount when you register a domain for multiple years. In addition, you reduce the number of occasions when you might have to pay a service fee for renewing your domain late.

It's more secure

The chances of your losing your domain because you were away, busy, or didn't receive the email notification about its due date are reduced.

It's more legitimate

It's believed that Google weighs the length of the domain registration when ranking a website. A site with a domain that's registered for several years would benefit from the long registration time over a site with a domain that expires in less than a year.

Savvy customers will also notice how long a domain is registered for. A company with a domain that's registered for a few years is more likely to be around in a few years than one with a domain that's registered for only one year.

THE MANAGEMENT OF A DOMAIN NAME

To keep your treasured domain name from going through the above cycle after you register it, take these preventive steps:

? Register it for several years at a time.
? Register it with an email address that doesn't go with the domain name --- you need to be able to send and receive email about the domain if you accidentally let it expire.
? Keep the address in your Whois records current so that you can receive renewal notices from your domain name registrar.
? Set up a reminder in your calendar to renew your domain at least two months before its expiry date.

These security steps will help protect your domain name:

? Use a complex password with a combination of letters and numbers for your domain name account.
? Turn on the "lock" feature if the extension allows locking. When a domain name is locked, no changes can be made to it. Some domains (depending on the registrar or extension) can't be locked, but other security measures are usually in place to prevent unauthorized transfers or other changes.

Lois S. is a Technical Executive Writer for http://www.websitesource.com and http://www.lowpricedomains.com with experience in the website hosting industry.

---

Know How DNS Works

Domain name Servers (DNS) are an important but invisible part... Read More

Domain Name Registration Explained

Registering a domain name is a pretty straight forward process.... Read More

How to Choose the Right Domain Name

What's in a name? Everything! A domain name is the... Read More

Public Domain Works Are Closer Than They Appear

Searching for public domain works can be a tedious job... Read More

Earn Money With Parked Domain Names

Do you have domain names that you are not currently... Read More

Domain Name Trademarks

As your Internet business grows, the value of your domain... Read More

How to Profit from Expired Domain Name Registration

After the dot com crash, expired domain names and expired... Read More

Domain Names and Longevity

It begins as an idea -- a company name, a... Read More

Domain Names More Choices than You Think

When you are choosing a domain name you will probably... Read More

What is a Domain Name and Why Would I Want One?

In this article we will cover the basics of what... Read More

How Can You Choose the Best Domain Name?

It's all in the NameThe domain you use for a... Read More

Domain Names - How to Choose, and Register One

What is a domain name?A domain name is the address... Read More

Detagged Domains

What is a DETAGGED domain name? We get asked this... Read More

Domain Parking Explained

Domain names are being snapped up all the time so... Read More

Is Your Domain Name On Someones Wanted List?

A good domain name is, and will always be, essential... Read More

Information on Domain Names

It's been two years since John started his online business.... Read More

How to Choose the Right Domain Name for Your Company

As the editor of DomainNameWire.com, I'm frequently e-mailed by people... Read More

How to Register an Expiring Domain

Understanding the process and options involved with registering an expiring... Read More

Domain Name: Why Do You Need One Anyway?

I come across sites all the time that are obviously... Read More

Whats in a Domain Name?

You've decided to start up your own website. You've weighed... Read More

The Growth of ru-Domains

The registry of ru-domains reports, that the number of domain... Read More

Eu-Domains For Everybody

Cologne,10 July 2004. ICANN accredited registar Secura announces today, that... Read More

Tips and Tricks To Getting Top Money for your Domain Names

Would you like to be that lucky person who sells... Read More

All-time Record of Domain Registrations

The number of registered domains has reached an all-time high... Read More

Instant Traffic Using Expired Domains

Every day thousands of domains 'expire' and are put back... Read More

Choosing A Domain Name

--About Domain Names--Choosing a domain name for your web site... Read More

Free eBook: Business Domain Names

Since every website needs a name, Dr. Steve Baba has... Read More

Domain Name - How To Pick One

Picking a domain name should be easy, right? Why, I'll... Read More

How to avoid copyright infringment in your domain name

One of the most important aspects of choosing a domain... Read More

Before You Register a Domain Name for Your New Online Business...

Recently I made a mistake that may cost a great... Read More

Public Domain - Internet Gold Mine

With the advent of the internet and the ease of... Read More

Got a Small Business? Choose the Right Domain Name

Choosing a domain name can be daunting. Research the subject... Read More

Making Money with Expired Domains

There are billions of websites and thousands more popping up... Read More