What To Do if Your Website Domain Expires

When you purchased a domain, it was for a set to last a certain amount of time. Many last for 1, 2, 3 years (or maybe more). Once the contract is coming to an end, you have the option to renew it. (From what I've seen, renewal prices are usually more than the original price.)

If you do not renew it, and it expires, it will be put on a hold. (Your website at this point will not go anywhere.) While on hold, you will not have the option to buy it from another domain registrar or transfer it to another domain host.

The domain host should offer a "grace period" after the domain expires, for you to renew it at the renewal price. The length of the grace period may be as little as 10 days, or up to 30 days. If they emailed you an expiration notice, it should say how long the grace period is.

If you want to renew it after the grace period, they will charge a large fee in addition to the renewal price. This is considered the "redemption period" and is only offered for a certain amount of time determined by the domain host. (I've seen 30 days after the domain expired.)

You would want to pay this additional fee if you need to get your website working as soon as possible, or if you are worried someone will purchase your domain name.

When the redemption period ends, your domain will be taking off hold and should be available for purchase (by the public) from any domain registrar. **There is no way of knowing when the domain will be available to the public to purchase.