When you set up a domain name, you claim your ownership over it, making domain registration an essential tool. However, your domain registration does not last forever. A domain name registration establishes your ownership of the domain name for the duration of the agreed-upon registration period. So, what happens at the end of that period? 

Once your registration contract ends, your domain name expires. If you want to continue using the same domain, you need to renew it. Your ability to keep your domain name active is crucial for maintaining a working website and advancing an integrated digital identity. 

You can successfully manage your digital assets and stay clear of common errors by renewing your domain name before it’s expired. Is your domain registration date ending soon and you don’t know how to renew it? This blog will give you a detailed guide on the 6 best domain renewal methods. Keep reading to get more insight! 

Do Domain Names Expire?

Every domain name has an expiration date, but the precise date that your domain expires may vary based on a few factors. For example, the terms under which you register a domain name could differ based on your domain name provider, its popularity, year of registration, and more. The typical term for registrars is one year, with a maximum of ten years. Your domain registrar, the platform that lets you register the domain, allows you to verify the exact expiration date.

In order to prevent your domain name from being expired, it is your responsibility as the owner to renew it on time. However, if your domain name expires, it will no longer remain active, and all associated infrastructure, such as the domain email address and website domain name. The inactive domain will not direct users to your website, thereby taking it offline. The domain name that is expired might even be purchased by someone else, which could prevent you from getting it back in the future, and force you to choose another domain and disrupt your branding efforts. 

Reasons Why Domains Expire

The primary reason that your domain name has expired is that the owner did not renew their contract. A lapsed renewal, however, can result from a number of reasons. You can either purposefully let your domain name expire or accidentally allow the registration to expire.

The following are some of the most common events that lead to a domain expiring:

1. Disabled auto-renewal

To ensure that you don't have to worry about your domain expiring, several domain registrars provide an automatic renewal feature. However, you might not have the auto-renew option enabled, leading to the domain name that has expired due to a lack of balance. So, check the auto-renewal option at this instant. 

2. Inaccurate billing details

Your domain service company will automatically charge the renewal fee to your linked credit card or bank account when you enroll in auto-renewal. However, the payment might not be processed if your billing information is out of date, which would result in a lapsed registration.

3. Missed renewal reminders

The domain registrar will probably send you emails reminding you of the deadline for renewing your domain as it gets closer to expiration. However, if you have set the registrar domain as spam email and have no access to any communication from them, you may not be up-to-date regarding your domain renewal date.

4. Domain-connected email issues

Upon acquiring a domain name, you have the option to use an associated custom professional email. Although there are many advantages to having a professional email address, you might lose access to it if your domain expires. 

You may experience trouble logging back into your account to finish the renewal process if the contact email you use for your domain name services is one that is associated with your domain.

5. Lapsed grace period

Keeping up with domain renewals is only one of the many administrative responsibilities that come with managing a website. Fortunately, registrars typically give you a grace period of 30 days to redeem the domain after it expires, allowing you to retrieve it. Your domain services might not function during this redemption period, but the domain will stay on hold while you renew.

6 Best Domain Renewal Process 

The majority of web hosting companies and domain registrars automatically enable the auto-renew feature for domain names. Additionally, they notify users, typically via email, a few weeks before the domain name is listed to be expired. Let's take a look at the 6 best processes for domain renewal. 

1. Domain Name Renewal in Bluehost

Bluehost is an official WordPress-recommended hosting provider and one of the biggest WordPress and website hosting companies. It provides quick performance, an email hosting service, 24/7 assistance, and a large range of pricing options for all kinds of businesses.

In order to renew a domain name with Bluehost, here are the steps:

1. You must first log in to your account and head to the Bluehost Account Manager option. 
2. Select the "Renewal Center" option from the left menu.

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3. You’ll be able to choose the 'Domain Name' option on the next screen. 
4. It will take you to your domain menu. With this option, you can see all the domains you own. Once you locate the domain name that is about to be expired. Next, click the "Renew" button located at the top.

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5. After that, you can visit the cart page and finish the checkout procedure.
6. Additionally, you can select the number of years for domain renewal. Furthermore, you can renew any add-ons, such as domain privacy.
7. Bluehost will renew your domain after you finish the purchase.

2. Renewing Domain Name in Domain.com

As one of the top domain registrars, Domain.com assists you in selecting the ideal domain name and extension for your website. In addition, it provides SSL certificates, web hosting services, WHOIS lookup tools, domain protection, and more.

To renew your domain name:

1. First, log into your Domain.com account dashboard.
2. To access the settings, click either the domain name or the gear icon.

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3. After that, a domain summary will appear.
4. To renew your domain, just click the link at the bottom.

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5. After that, you can renew your domain by following the checkout steps and completing the payment.
6. You can also select how many years your domain will renew on Domain.com. 

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7. You will receive an email confirmation as soon as the purchase is complete, informing you that your domain is being renewed.

3. Renew Domain Name in Hostinger

Hostinger provides one of the easiest web and email hosting services on the market. In addition to cloud hosting options, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, and other hosting plans are available.

One-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, a free CDN, a website builder, improved security features, a free SSL certificate, and various website speed-boosting tools are all included with a Hostinger plan.

For domain renewal on Hostinger, you have to

1. First, log in to your account’s hpanel dashboard. 
2. Proceed to the top and select the "Billing" tab.
3. Your domain names will then appear.
4. To renew a domain, just select the "Renew now" button for that domain.

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5. Following that, a pop-up window allowing you to choose the number of years for domain renewal will appear.
6. Proceed and select your preferred payment method by clicking on the given button.
7. Lastly, finish the checkout process to buy your domain name renewal.

4. Renewing a Domain Name in HostGator

HostGator is another well-known WordPress hosting provider and domain registrar. It provides free domain names, free SSL certificates, one-click WordPress installations, 24/7 assistance, and more.

To renew a domain name with HostGator, 

1. Log in to your HostGator admin panel.
2. Next, you can select the 'Renewal Center' option from the left menu.

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3. You will see your domain or multiple domains if you have purchased more than one. Select the domain due for renewal. 
4. Click the "Renew Now" button located at the top.

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5. You will then see your cart with the renewed domain name.
6. You may also alter the total number of years required to renew the domain name. It will be set to one year by default, but you can adjust the number of years you want to renew the domain.
7. After that, you can finish the checkout process by clicking the "Continue to Checkout" button and making your payment. 
8. Your domain will then be renewed with HostGator.

5. Domain Name Renewal in Namecheap

Namecheap is a popular domain registrar, website hosting, WordPress, and custom email address hosting service. It offers its service at an affordable price and also provides a suite of marketing and AI-based domain name generator tools. 

To renew your domain name registered with Namecheap, here are the steps: 

1. Firstly, you need to log in to your account. From here, use the menu on the left to navigate to the "Domain List" tab.

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2. Now, select the domain name you wish to renew by clicking the "Manage" button next to it.
3. You can then proceed to the section labeled "Status & Validity."

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4. Proceed and select your domain name by clicking the "Add Years" button. It should be mentioned that the Add Years button will be changed to Renew if your domain is expiring within a month. 
5. Next, you can select the number of years you want to renew your domain name by clicking the dropdown menu. 

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6. You can then select the button that says "Confirm Order."
7. To renew your domain name, just follow the checkout steps and complete the payment.

6. Renewing a Domain Name in GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the most widely used domain registrars. Additionally, it provides daily backups, security features, automated updates, website builders, managed WordPress hosting, and more.

To renew a domain name with GoDaddy, follow the given steps: 

1. Log in to the GoDaddy Domain Portfolio. Click the dialpad icon next to My Account at the top to open the Domain Portfolio, then select the "Domains" option.
2. Next, by checking the box, you can choose which domain name you wish to renew.

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3. You then have to select the 'Renew Now' button at the bottom.
4. In a new pop-up window, you can choose the duration of the domain name renewal. You can renew a domain with GoDaddy for one, three, or nine years.
5. Press the "Continue to Checkout" button now.
6. After that, you can see your cart and finish the domain name renewal process by checking out.

Comparison Table

While each of these domain name platforms offers easy renewal, each has its own merits and demerits. Let’s compare each of the platforms to help you choose the best option. Our rating is based on the ease of domain renewal process, pricing, interface, features, and more.

Besides these providers, email hosting platforms like Neo also provide you with attractive features at an attractive price. Email marketing tools, AI-powered email writing assistance, one year free .co.site custom domain, and more! It is also easy to set the domain purchased from Neo for auto-renewal, ensuring you never lose access to your domain-associated infrastructure and branding. 

Wrapping Up

Renewing your domain name before it has expired is an important undertaking that needs proactive management and close attention. You can make sure that the process of renewing a domain is easy and successful by understanding the significance of doing this, becoming familiar with the renewal procedure, and planning ahead. You can preserve domain ownership, safeguard your online identity, and keep growing your website or business by following the suggested procedures. So, follow our guide for easy 6 methods of domain renewal and enjoy uninterrupted services! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When your domain expires, what happens?

Your domain services will cease to function when the domain name expires. This covers your website as well as any other services—like business email—that are linked to your domain name. The domain name won't, however, be made available for purchase right away. You can renew your domain without paying extra during the grace period that follows the domain expiration date. 

Q2. Is renewing a domain name expensive?

The price to renew a domain name is usually determined by several factors, including the popularity of your domain name, pricing inflation, any additional terms, cost for account update options, and more. 

Q3. How should I set reminders for future domain renewals?

Setting up a reminder for an upcoming domain renewal date is crucial to guaranteeing continuous domain ownership and associated services. Many domain registrars provide an automatic renewal option, which can help prevent unintentional domain lapses.

As an alternative, you can set up manual reminders in your task management program or personal calendar to make sure you remember when the next renewal is.