Renewing a domain name: how to prevent your domain from expiring
Renewing your domain name in time is essential to prevent your valuable web address from being lost. In this article we explain why renewing a domain name is so important and how best to approach the process. Read more about the .org domain name.
Google, Foursquare and even Microsoft have all lost their domain name at some point by forgetting to renew it. If it happens to big companies, it can happen to you too. Fortunately it is easy to prevent. Read more about the .shop domain name.
What happens when your domain expires?
The exact procedure differs per extension, but broadly:
Day 1-30: grace period
Your domain still works, but you receive warnings. You can still renew at the normal price.
Day 30-60: redemption period
Your website and email stop working. You can still renew, but it costs extra (often €50-100 on top of the normal price).
After 60+ days: domain released
Your domain is released and anyone can register it. Domain grabbers lie in wait for popular names.
For .nl domains slightly different terms apply (a 40-day quarantine through SIDN).
Is your domain already in quarantine? Then read our guide on moving a domain name out of quarantine to a new provider.
Consequences of an expired domain
- Website offline: visitors see an error message or a parking page
- Email stops: you no longer receive mail at @yourdomain.nl
- SEO damage: your rankings can plummet
- Reputation damage: customers think you no longer exist
- Domain hijacking: someone else can claim your domain
How do you renew your domain name?
Renewing manually
- Log in to your domain registrar
- Go to your domain overview
- Select the domain and choose "Renew"
- Choose the period (1-10 years)
- Pay and you are done
Setting up automatic renewal
The safest option. Your domain is renewed automatically as long as your payment method is valid.
- Log in to your registrar
- Go to the domain settings
- Enable "Automatic renewal"
- Make sure your payment method is up to date
When should you renew?
You can renew a domain whenever you want, even years ahead. The new period is added to the existing end date.
Tips:
- Important domains: renew for several years at once
- Set reminders: in your calendar, 30 and 7 days before the expiry date
- Check your spam folder: renewal reminders sometimes end up in spam
What does renewing cost?
Renewal usually costs the same as registration:
- .nl domain: €8-15 per year
- .com domain: €10-15 per year
- .eu domain: €8-12 per year
Some registrars charge more for renewal than for a new registration. Check this in advance.
Recovering an expired domain
Has your domain just expired? Act quickly:
- Contact your registrar immediately
- Ask about recovery (redemption)
- Pay the extra costs if needed
- Then set up automatic renewal
Frequently asked questions
Can I get back a domain that someone else has registered?
Only if you can prove that you have trademark rights. Otherwise you have to negotiate with the new owner or look for an alternative.
Why is my domain more expensive on renewal?
Some registrars lure you in with low introductory prices. Always check the renewal price before you register.
Can I see when a domain expires?
Yes, through WHOIS you can look up the expiry date.
Your domains at Theory7
How domain renewal works
You register a domain name for at least a year. Before that year is over, you have to renew to keep the domain. Most registrars send reminders by email.
Automatic renewal
The safest option is to enable automatic renewal. Your registrar then renews automatically and charges the amount. You do not have to do anything and run no risk of losing the domain.
Manual renewal
You can also renew manually when you receive a reminder. This gives more control but requires that you do not miss the emails. Many people forget to renew because the email ends up in spam.
What if you forget to renew
If your domain expires, it goes through several phases:
Grace period
Immediately after expiry there is often a grace period (1-30 days, depending on the extension) in which you can still renew normally. Your website usually still works.
Redemption/quarantine
After the grace period the domain goes into quarantine. You can still recover it but at a high cost (often €50-100+). Only you, as the former owner, can do this.
Release
After the quarantine (40 days for .nl) the domain is released. Anyone can then register it. Domain hijackers wait for this to grab valuable domains.
Renewal costs
Renewal prices vary per registrar:
- .nl domain: €8-15 per year
- .com domain: €12-20 per year
- .eu domain: €8-12 per year
Note: introductory prices are often lower than renewal prices. Always check the renewal price before you register a domain.
Renewing for several years
You can renew in advance for 2, 5 or even 10 years. Advantages:
- You will not forget to renew
- You protect against price increases
- Some believe it gives a small SEO advantage
Disadvantage: you pay a lot in advance and if you no longer need the domain, you get nothing back.
Domain expires: can I get it back?
If your domain has been released and someone else has registered it:
- You can try to buy it back (often expensive)
- In the case of trademark infringement you can start a dispute procedure
- Sometimes direct contact with the new owner helps
Prevention is much cheaper than a cure. Set up automatic renewal.
Renewal emails in spam
A common problem: renewal reminders end up in your spam folder. Tips:
- Whitelist your registrar's email address
- Check your spam regularly
- Set up automatic renewal as a backup
- Set your own calendar reminder
Managing renewal with multiple domains
Do you manage multiple domains? Then a structured approach is important:
Keeping an overview
Make a spreadsheet with all your domains, expiry dates and where they are registered. This way you avoid surprises.
Consolidating
Consider managing all domains with one registrar. Easier overview, one invoice, one dashboard.
Aligning expiry dates
Some registrars offer the option to align expiry dates. Handy for bulk renewal.
Reserving a budget
Plan domain renewals in your annual budget, especially if you have multiple domains.
Domain expired: success stories and dramas
Expired domains sometimes have major consequences:
- Large companies that accidentally let their domain expire
- Competitors who bought up expired domains
- Websites that lost years of SEO authority
It costs only a few euros per year to prevent this. Automatic renewal is the easiest insurance against these kinds of problems.
Your domain name is one of your most important online assets. Treat renewal with the same care as other important business obligations.
Domain renewal may well be the most important task in your digital household. An expired domain can undo months of SEO work, and customers who cannot find your website will look for an alternative at the competitor.
Set up automatic renewal with your registrar, as this is the simplest way to prevent problems. Also make sure your payment details are up to date, so that the renewal does not fail due to an expired credit card.
Renew for several years at once if you are sure you want to keep the domain. This avoids annual administration and you often get a discount for longer registration periods. A domain is one of the cheapest parts of your online presence, so do not skimp on something so essential.
Automatic renewal is your best friend. Set it up and prevent accidentally losing your domain. The few euros per year are nothing compared to the value of your online identity. Make sure your payment details stay up to date.
Do not forget to check regularly whether automatic renewal is still active and whether your payment details are current. A few minutes of attention per year prevents major problems.
Your domain is your online identity, so protect it by renewing in time and never letting your registration expire.
At Theory7 you always get a reminder for renewal. Automatic renewal is enabled by default. This way you never lose your domain.
Renewing a domain name: timeline and deadlines
It is crucial to understand what happens if you forget to renew your domain name. Each extension has its own timeline after expiry.
| Phase | .nl domain | .com domain | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expiry date | Day 0 | Day 0 | Domain becomes inactive |
| Grace period | 40 days | 0-45 days | Renewal still possible (normal rate) |
| Quarantine | 40 days | 30 days (redemption) | Recovery possible (extra costs) |
| Release | After 80 days | After 75 days | Anyone can register |
Tips for renewing your domain name
Prevent problems by handling the renewal of your domain names smartly:
- Automatic renewal: enable auto-renew with your registrar. This is the safest option.
- Multiple years: register or renew your domain for 2-5 years at once. This saves costs and prevents you from forgetting it.
- Set reminders: put a reminder in your calendar 30 days before the expiry date.
- Keep your contact details current: make sure your email address with the registrar is always up to date for renewal notifications.
- Check your payment method: outdated credit cards or PayPal links cause failed automatic renewals.
With Theory7 domain names we send reminders in time and support automatic renewal for all extensions.
Frequently asked questions about renewing a domain name
What does it cost to get back an expired domain?
During the grace period you can renew at the normal rate. In the quarantine/redemption period the costs vary from €50 to €200, depending on the extension and registrar. After release you have to register the domain again, if it is still available.
Can someone else register my expired domain?
Yes, after the quarantine period your domain is released and anyone can register it. There are even specialized services that automatically pick up expired domains. The more popular your domain, the greater the chance that someone is waiting for it.
Do I lose my SEO positions if my domain temporarily expires?
If your domain has been inactive only briefly (a few days), your positions usually recover quickly. With longer periods Google can deindex your pages, which can take weeks to months to recover. Prevention is better than a cure.
Renewing a domain name with multiple registrars
Do you have domains with different registrars? Consider bringing everything to one party. This makes renewing your domain name clearer and prevents you from missing a renewal. You can move domains to another registrar by requesting an authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar and entering it with the new party. The move takes an average of 5-7 days for .com domains and for .nl domains is often arranged within a day. See all your options at Theory7 domain names.
Setting up automatic domain renewal
The safest way never to miss a deadline is to set up automatic domain renewal with your registrar. This ensures the renewal of your domain name is processed automatically before the expiry date passes.
What happens if you forget to renew your domain name?
When you forget to renew your domain name, your domain goes through several phases. First there is a grace period of usually 30 days in which you can still renew at the normal price. Then follows a redemption period in which renewal is still possible, but at considerably higher costs. After this period the domain becomes available to others again.
Prevent problems by always arranging your domain renewal in time. Choose a reliable domain registrar that sends timely reminders and consider renewing your domain several years in advance. Combine your domain renewal with a good hosting plan for a worry-free online presence.
Renewing a domain name: common mistakes and how to avoid them
Renewing a domain name seems like a simple action, but mistakes are regularly made that can have far-reaching consequences. The most common mistake is not updating your contact details with your registrar. If your email address is no longer correct, you do not receive renewal reminders and you run the risk of losing your domain name. So check at least once a year whether your details are still current.
A second common mistake is letting a domain name expire with the idea that you can still renew it later. Although most registrars offer a recovery period of 30-40 days, they charge substantial extra costs for this. With some registrars recovering an expired domain can cost as much as €75-150, while a regular renewal costs only €8-15. After the recovery period your domain is released and anyone can register it.
Also do not forget to protect your domain name against unauthorized transfers. Activate a transfer lock with your registrar, so that no one can move your domain name without your explicit consent. This is especially important for business-critical domain names that represent your digital identity.
Setting up automatic renewal: a step-by-step plan
The safest way to prevent your domain name from expiring is to set up automatic renewal. Below you will find a step-by-step plan that works with most registrars.
- Log in to your registrar: go to your domain registrar's customer panel and navigate to your domain overview.
- Check your payment method: make sure a valid credit card, debit card or PayPal account is linked. Check the expiry date of the card.
- Activate auto-renew: look for the automatic renewal option. You usually find this under the domain settings or billing settings.
- Choose a renewal period: choose whether you want to renew per year, per two years or per five years. Longer periods often come with a discount.
- Check the confirmation email: after activating you receive a confirmation email. Keep it for your records.
As an extra safety net you can set reminders in your calendar 60 and 30 days before the expiry date. This way you always have a backup warning if the automatic renewal fails for any reason. Also consider the option to register your domain name for several years at once, so that you have to renew less often.
Renewing a domain name with another registrar
Sometimes it is cheaper or more practical to renew your domain name with another registrar. This process is called a domain transfer and combines the move with a renewal of at least one year. Before you start a transfer, check that your domain was not registered within the last 60 days or transferred previously, because the ICANN policy does not allow transfers during that period.
The steps for a transfer are as follows: first request an authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar. Then start the transfer with your new registrar using this code. The transfer usually takes 5-7 working days. During this period your website and email remain accessible as usual. After the successful transfer your domain is automatically renewed for a year.
Pay attention to the DNS settings during a transfer. The nameservers are not always taken over automatically. After the transfer, check that your DNS records are correct and that your website and email still work. With a transfer to Theory7 our support helps set up all DNS records correctly, so that the transition goes smoothly.
Renewing a domain name: costs and price comparison
The costs of renewing a domain name vary greatly per registrar and extension. Renewing a .nl domain costs between €5 and €15 per year with most registrars. International extensions such as .com, .net and .org are slightly more expensive, usually €10-20 per year. Exotic or new extensions such as .shop, .app or .io can run up to €30-80 per year.
| Extension | Average renewal price | Renewal period |
|---|---|---|
| .nl | €5 - €15 | 1 year |
| .com | €10 - €18 | 1 year |
| .eu | €8 - €15 | 1 year |
| .shop | €25 - €40 | 1 year |
| .io | €40 - €60 | 1 year |
Note that some registrars use a low introductory price for the first year but charge a much higher renewal price. Always check the renewal price before you register a domain name. At Theory7 the renewal prices are transparent and comparable to the registration price, without surprises. Also see what a domain name costs in our article on domain name costs.
Conclusion: renewing a domain name as a fixed part of your maintenance
Renewing your domain name in time is one of the most important but most overlooked maintenance tasks for any website owner. By setting up automatic renewal, keeping your contact details up to date and putting reminders in your calendar, you minimize the risk of losing your domain name. Regularly compare the renewal prices with different registrars and consider a transfer if you are cheaper off elsewhere. Protect your domain with a transfer lock and invest in WHOIS privacy to shield your personal data.
Finally: if you own multiple domain names, make an overview with all registrars, expiry dates and renewal settings. A domain portfolio can quickly become unwieldy, especially if you have domains with different registrars. Consider consolidating all domains with a single registrar for easier management. Read more about how to manage your own domain name optimally.
Want to know whether a domain name is still available? Use our free domain name checker to check this instantly.
