❓ What Happens if My Domain Name Expires?

Your domain name is your digital street address — without it, visitors can’t find your website or send you email.  So what happens if it expires?

Here’s what you need to know — and how to fix it.

? Step 1: Grace Period (Days 1–30)

Most domain registrars offer a grace period after expiry — usually 30 days — where you can still renew your domain at the regular price.

During this time:

• Your website and email may stop working.

• You can usually log into your domain provider and click Renew.

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? If SDCS manages your domain for you, contact us as soon as possible — we may be able to fast-track renewal before any service interruption worsens.

? Step 2: Redemption Period (Days 31–60)

If you miss the grace period, your domain enters “Redemption” or “Pending Delete” status.  This is where things get messy.

During this time:

• You may still be able to recover the domain — but there are hefty redemption fees (often NZD $150–300).

• Some domains are auctioned off before you're even told.

If you’re here:
⏰ Act fast.  We can sometimes negotiate with the registrar or back-order services — but there’s no guarantee.

? Step 3: Released to the Wild (After 60+ days)

Once the redemption period ends, your domain is released back onto the open market.

Someone else can register it.  If they do:

• You can’t just get it back.

• You may need to rebrand or pay them to transfer it — and some buyers scalp expired domains to resell them at inflated prices.

✅ How to Avoid All This

• Use a reliable domain registrar with auto-renewal enabled.

• Keep your credit card details up to date.

• Make sure your contact email for renewal reminders actually works (not one tied to the domain itself!).

If SDCS manages your domain:

• We’ll monitor expiry and try to notify you well ahead.

• Renewal is usually included in your managed service agreement, but you should still tell us if you want to cancel anything in advance.

? Need Help?

If you think your domain has expired or is about to, contact us immediately — we’ll do our best to help you recover it before the vultures move in.

? Disclaimer: This article is provided by SDCS as general guidance.  It may not apply to all domain providers or account types.  Always check your own registrar’s policies and settings.