Key takeaways:
- Domain expiration protection is a small compromise compared to larger financial and operational consequences caused by a lost domain.
- DEP is better than basic grace periods, preventing your domain from getting snatched by others upon expiration.
- Even with DEP, keeping an eye on registrations and updating account information is still important.
Losing your domain name because it expired can disrupt and impact your business. But with Domain Expiration Protection (DEP), you can protect your domain from immediate expiration, keeping your business secure and uninterrupted.
What is Domain Expiration Protection?
Domain Expiration Protection is a service that automatically renews your domain name to prevent its loss due to failed payments or missed renewal dates, keeping your website and online services active. While domains require regular renewal, life happens—credit cards expire, billing addresses change, or renewal notices get overlooked.
DEP also gives a grace period, meaning your domain doesn’t become immediately available for others to register even after a missed payment. For example, if a business owner’s credit card and domain registration expire, DEP backs them up, protecting their web properties from expiration.
Why you need Domain Expiration Protection
Losing your domain can be problematic, which is why you must avail Domain Expiration Protection. Without DEP, your online assets are vulnerable to the following:
- Losing access to your domain and services. Your website will go down, and your email addresses will stop working. Communications will be disrupted, and you may lose potential sales or leads.
- Domain snatching. Expired domains can become available for others to register. Cybersquatters actively monitor these, and they can hold your brand domain name ‘hostage’ or use it maliciously. Reacquiring a snatched domain is often expensive and complex.
- Negative impact on brand and SEO. An inaccessible website affects customer trust and your brand’s credibility. Search engines will notice downtime, causing a drop in your SEO rankings.
With DEP, your domain remains in your hands even if you accidentally miss a domain renewal. A DEP ensures continuous online presence, keeping your website and email active and preventing any interruptions.
Aside from maintaining continuity, DEP protects your brand by preventing others from registering your domain. Such protection provides peace of mind, letting you focus on business without worrying about your domain expiring immediately, especially if you have multiple domains.
How does Domain Expiration Protection work?
Domain expiration protection secures your domain through automated processes and extended safety nets, including the following features:
- Automatic renewal. DEP triggers a secondary, automated renewal attempt if your primary payment fails (e.g., expired card, insufficient funds).
- Added grace period. DEP extends the typical 30-day grace period to a year (varies per registrar), keeping your domain active for longer after a missed renewal and giving you time to resolve payment issues.
- Protection against billing issues. It specifically guards against accidental expiration due to outdated or incorrect billing information.
If payment fails, you’ll receive notifications. DEP ensures that your domain remains active or recoverable instead of immediately lapsing, letting you update details and process payment without interrupting your business.
How to avail of Domain Expiration Protection*
- Log in to your account manager.
- Navigate to your “Domains” or “Domain Manager” section.
- Select the specific domain you wish to protect.
- Find “Domain Expiration Protection” or “Renewal Settings” and activate it.
- Ensure a valid payment method is on file.
- Review and confirm the activation.
After enabling, regularly check your renewal status, ensure auto-renewal is active, and keep your billing and contact information up to date.
*Process may vary per provider
Protect your domain from expiration with Network Solutions
Your domain name is indispensable, and that’s why you should protect it. Domain Expiration Protection helps you secure your domain name, keeping you safe from unforeseen payment issues and accidental expiration.
Consider our Domain Expiration Protection to can keep your domain safe and yours for a time, even after it expires.
Frequently asked questions
When a domain expires, your DNS and nameserver settings are also removed, making your website unreachable and your email dysfunctional. If your website and email go offline, your domain is at risk of being registered by someone else, resulting in losses, reputational damage, and a difficult recovery process.
DEP is generally available for most common TLDs (.com, .net, .org), but availability can vary by registrar and specific TLD policies.
No, DEP is a preventative measure. Once it has expired, you must go through the standard renewal process first, and then you can enable DEP for future protection.
DEP costs are typically minimal, often just a few dollars per domain. This is a small fee compared to the potential financial losses and damage from a lost domain.
