"Protecting
Your Domain Name"
Recently a client called me saying their email and domain
name were not working. Naturally I went into panic mode
and started checking the mail and web server. Both were
fine. I was so rattled, and this is a larger small client
of mine that I didn't think to check their domain name
at first. Low and behold their domain name had expired.
The person who had registered the domain for them changed
their email address and forgot (like most people) to update
their contact info with their Registrar (the place you
register your domain name).
Fortunately they called their Registrar and got it renewed
without a problem. Within minutes they were back in business.
But I have seen people let their domain go and not realize
it until someone snatched it from them. What happened?
They were SOL and had to get a new domain name. Talk about
a hassle and expense of moving the web site, changing all
their marketing materials, etc.
As a general rule, when renewing domain names - don't
leave it to the last minute! Domain name renewal should
occur at least 2 months ahead of expiration. Your domain
name registration period will continue to run from the
expiration date so you don't lose by earlier domain renewals.
If you can, renew for 2 or more years at a time - this
will reduce the frequency of the hassle of renewing your
domain name. On the other hand; you could forget all about
the registration and the domain name expires anyway!
If you have multiple domains, create a spreadsheet or
database - or simply a word document with your domain
details and domain name renewal schedule so you always
can keep track of domain expirations.
Domain name management - Key points to keep
in mind
1. Maintain records of userids, passwords, admin emails
for the domain and most importantly, where you registered
your domain name, such as register.com or networksolutions.com
2. Keep whois information current.
Whois is a technical term and refers to the contact information
on the registrant (you) for the domain name. This is imperative.
4. Do not use your domain name email as your contact
info for your domain. Why? If your site is down because
you let your domain name lapse your registrant cannot contact
you via email.
5. Renew your domain as early as possible to give time
to resolve any problems which might arise.
6. If your webmaster manages your domain names make
sure it is in their contract that they will not take possesion
of your domain name. It doesn't happen often, but it does
happen.
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