Rule #3: Always renew your domains in time
The third day and the third my personal advice to keep your domains happy and secure.
*ALWAYS* renew them in time. By ‘in time’ I mean ‘the last couple of days’. Infact, I personally am in the process of renewing my domains to the point when all they will expire in 9-10 years (the maximum period registries are offering). Of course, I am doing this only with those that I know for sure will be necessary and useful for me in the foreseable future.
Why? Because when you forget to renew, the domain expires. Then registrars are offering so-called ‘grace period’ of 5-30 days, during which domain can be renewed at then-current renewal fee. If it’s not renewed, domain enters so-called Redemption Grace Period (RGP) in registry. It could cost the owner USD 150-300 to get name out of it - that’s different with each registrar. Finally, when nobody claims expired domain, there’s Pending Delete period of 5 days and finally, it hits the ‘pool’. That’s the way things should work theoretically.
Practically, your expired domain starts to be auctioned away as soon as it hits the expiration date. Almost every registrar has a clause in it’s ToS that they can do with your expired domain whatever they wish. It’s a sad practice, but it became a reality. Unfortunately, we can do very little to change this.
However, you can always be in control, renewing in time. And, not for 1 year.
So, the rule #3: ALWAYS RENEW YOUR DOMAINS(S) IN TIME.
Good luck.
Stan.
