Many people mistakenly believe that once they purchase a domain name, they actually “own” it. This is a common misconception. In reality, domain names are not purchased outright but are leased from a registry. If you look at your domain, such as cyberwebservice.com, you’ll notice that it expires annually. If you renew it for 5 years, you’ll “lease” it for that duration, and you can renew the domain for up to 10 years. After the 10-year period, you’ll need to renew it for another 10 years, and so on.
To check the expiry date of your domain, visit a WHOIS lookup service. Here’s an example:
https://cyberwebservice.supersite2.myorderbox.com/domain.php?action=whois
The Domain Life Cycle: From Registration to Deletion
Each domain goes through various stages from its initial registration to its eventual deletion. Understanding these stages can help you avoid losing a domain you may have accidentally let expire or help you snag a domain that’s recently been deleted.
Below is an overview of the life cycle of gTLDs (generic top-level domains) like .com, .net, .org, .biz, and .info as well as ccTLDs (country-code top-level domains) like .in.
Life Cycle of a Domain Name for gTLDs (Generic TLDs)
1. Domain Registration
When you register a domain name (e.g., .com, .net), it’s registered with the registry, and the domain is active. You pay for an initial term (usually one year) and the domain is officially registered for that period.
- Grace Period: Most gTLDs (e.g., .com, .net) have a grace period that typically lasts 30–45 days after the domain expires. During this time, the domain does not resolve to a website, and email services stop functioning, but you can still recover the domain by renewing it.
- Redemption Period: After the grace period, the domain enters the redemption period. For .com, .net, and other gTLDs, this period lasts about 30 days. During this time, the domain is in a suspended state, and you can still recover it by paying a redemption fee (usually higher than the normal renewal fee) plus the annual renewal fee.
- Pending Delete: After the redemption period ends, the domain enters a Pending Delete status for up to 5 days. During this period, the domain cannot be renewed or recovered. Once this period ends, the domain is permanently deleted from the registry.
- Domain Becomes Available for Re-Registration: After the Pending Delete phase, the domain is completely deleted and can be registered by anyone. If you don’t act quickly, someone else may register the domain.
Life Cycle of a Domain Name for ccTLDs (Country Code TLDs)
The life cycle of ccTLDs (country-code top-level domains), such as .in, .uk, or .ca, is largely similar to that of gTLDs but may vary slightly depending on the policies of the specific country or registry.
Example: Life Cycle of a .IN Domain
- Domain Registration: As with other domains, when you register a .in domain, it’s registered for an initial term (typically 1 year). The domain is active and fully functional once registered.
- Grace Period: For .in domains, the grace period typically lasts 14 days after the expiration date. During this time, the domain will stop resolving, and email services will be suspended, but you can still renew the domain without paying additional fees or penalties.
- Redemption Period: After the grace period ends, .in domains enter a redemption period which typically lasts 30 days. You can still recover the domain by paying a redemption fee along with the renewal fee.
- Pending Delete: Once the redemption period ends, the domain enters the Pending Delete phase. For .in domains, this period typically lasts 5 days. The domain cannot be recovered during this time.
- Domain Becomes Available for Re-Registration: After the Pending Delete period, the domain is deleted from the registry and becomes available for re-registration by anyone.
The Key Stages in a Domain’s Life Cycle
1. Domain Registration
When a domain name is registered, it enters the registry’s database and is active for the duration of the registration period (usually one year). You can renew it before it expires to maintain your registration.
2. Domain Transfer
Once a domain is registered, it must remain with the same registrar for 60 days before it can be transferred to another registrar. After the 60-day period, the domain is free to be transferred to a new provider.
3. Domain Expiry and Renewal
As your domain approaches its expiration date, you will receive renewal reminders. It’s essential to renew your domain well in advance to avoid any service interruptions. Once expired, domains enter the grace period, followed by the redemption period and finally the pending delete phase before being made available for re-registration.
Why Should You Renew Your Domain Early?
Renewing your domain early is crucial to avoid disruption to your website and email services. Once expired, the domain will stop resolving to your website, and email services will be disabled. If you renew an expired domain, it may take 24–48 hours for the domain to become active again due to ISP caching.
Additionally, once a domain enters the Pending Delete phase, it is no longer possible to recover it, and anyone can register it. This makes renewing your domain well before the expiration date important to avoid losing it to someone else.
Conclusion: Renew Your Domain Early!
The life cycle of a domain name includes several important stages. By understanding these stages, you can take proactive steps to keep your domain name and avoid losing it due to expired registration. The key takeaway is to renew your domain early! Early renewal ensures your domain remains active, your website stays online, and you retain control over your digital property.