Your Domain Name Can Expire and Be Snatched Away, Don’t Let it Happen to You

Quick Quiz: The phrase “Your domain name is about to expire” flashes across your inbox.  Do you A) Ignore it for the time being or B) Act immediately to remedy the issue?  The correct answer of course is B. Perhaps a better question might be, “Do you know when your domain will expire? Are you prepared?”

Domain name expiration and loss is an increasingly prevalent, costly, and potentially detrimental problem facing online businesses. It is now more likely than ever that your precious URL will be snatched away when it expires.  This is especially true if it is unique, catchy, or particularly market worthy.  In addition to businesses that want to use your domain name for themselves, other companies exist with the sole purpose of purchasing expired domains and selling them back at inflated prices, to you or the highest bidder!

Why is losing a domain name such a big deal, you might ask?  Because your domain name is one of your most valuable assets!  Not only is it a primary means for clients to access your business, it has rankings on search engines like Google and Yahoo that your company has spent time, energy, and money developing.  Additionally, domain names are frequently incorporated into a range of marketing efforts such as signage, print collateral, advertisements, or even pens distributed around the office.  You have invested a lot to incorporate your domain name into your overall marketing strategy, so it is crucial to prevent its loss!

The likelihood of retrieving an expired domain name with little or no additional cost to your business varies depending on several factors: the amount of time that has elapsed since the expiration date, your domain’s desirability, and to some extent, luck.  If you currently have an expired domain, contact your registrar (Godaddy.com, eNom, register.com, Network solutions, etc.) immediately!

To prevent the headache of domain name expiration and loss in the future, follow these simple guidelines:

• Do not ignore warning emails. Respond to domain notices immediately.
• Make sure your IT manager knows where the domain is registered, to whom it is registered, how long it has been registered, and who the technical contact is for the domain.
• Make sure more than one person knows when the domain expires.
• Note the domain’s expiration date on your calendar
• Purchase your domain for ten years and choose the option to automatically renew.

There are often deals out there for those who purchase domains for an extended amount of time.

In sum, losing your domain name is preventable, especially if you take the necessary precautions to safeguard its future!  Please feel free to contact Blue Water Media If you have any questions concerning domain names and their expiration.  We can be reached by email:  info@bluewatermedia.com or phone:  202.861.0000.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 5:29 pm and is filed under Web Hosting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.