An expired domain takes your website and email offline – and if it is not renewed in time, someone else can register it. Here is what happens when a domain expires and how to make sure you never lose yours.

What happens when a domain expires

1. Your website and email stop working shortly after expiry, because the domain no longer points to your services.
2. Grace period – for a limited time you can usually still renew at the normal price.
3. Redemption period – for many domain types, after the grace period the domain can only be recovered for an additional fee.
4. Release – finally the domain becomes available for anyone to register, including competitors or people who resell expired domains.

Exact periods and fees differ by extension (.com, .co.tz, .tz and so on). Contact us immediately if your domain has expired.

Why businesses lose domains

• Renewal reminders go to an old employee's or developer's email.
• The domain was registered in a former web designer's account.
• The payment card expired.
• Nobody knew who was responsible.

How to protect your domain

• Register it in the company's name, in an account the business controls.
• Use a role email (e.g. admin@) for renewal notices, not a personal address.
• Turn on auto-renew and keep payment details current.
• Renew for multiple years for important domains.
• Keep one provider for domain, hosting and email so renewals are in one place.

Want your domains in one place, billed in shillings? Transfer your domain to Oneway or register a new one. If your domain has just expired, WhatsApp us now.