Renewal & billing for domains
Overview
A domain name is like a lease—you don’t own it forever; you "rent" it for 1 to 10 years at a time. If that lease ends without a renewal, your website and email will stop working immediately.
DotSync provides multiple layers of protection to ensure you never lose your digital identity, but understanding the timeline is key to avoiding unnecessary stress and fees.
1. Auto-Renew: The Safety Net
By default Dotsync attempts to auto-renew domains.
- How it works: DotSync will attempt to charge your primary payment method 30 days before the domain expires.
- Why it’s better: It eliminates the risk of human error. Even if you’re on vacation or miss an email, your domain remains secure.
2. Manual Renewal
If you prefer total control, you can renew your domains manually at any time.
- Navigate to Domains → Renew in your dashboard.
- Select the domain(s) you wish to extend.
- Choose the number of years (up to 10 years for most extensions).
- Multi-Year Benefit: Many registries view long-term registrations as a sign of a "high-quality" site, which can slightly benefit your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and brand credibility.
3. The Domain Lifecycle
If a domain is not renewed by its expiration date, it doesn't disappear immediately. Instead, it enters a series of "safety" phases.
| Phase | Timing | What Happens | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Before Day 0 | Website and email work perfectly. | Standard Renewal |
| Grace Period | Day 1 – 30 | Site & Email go dark. You can still renew easily. | Standard Renewal |
| Redemption | Day 31 – 60 | Domain is "on hold" at the registry. Recovery is difficult. | Standard Fee + Redemption Fee |
| Pending Delete | Day 61 – 75 | The domain is being purged. Recovery is impossible. | N/A |
| Released | Day 75+ | The domain is available for anyone to buy. | New Registration |
4. The Redemption Period: The "Last Chance"
If you miss the 30-day Grace Period, your domain enters Redemption. At this stage, the registry (the organization that manages .com or .net) takes control of the name.
- The Cost: Reclaiming a domain in Redemption is expensive. In addition to the standard renewal fee, registries charge a Redemption Fee (typically ranging from $80 to $160 USD).
- The Wait: Restoration from Redemption can take up to 24–48 hours to process.
- The Risk: If you do not redeem the domain, it will eventually be deleted and sold at auction or to the general public.
[!WARNING] Don't wait for "Pending Delete": Once a domain reaches the "Pending Delete" phase, DotSync cannot help you get it back. You would have to wait for it to be released and try to re-register it before someone else (or a "drop-catching" bot) snaps it up.
Pro-Tips for Success
- Check your email: DotSync sends multiple reminders starting 60 days before expiration.
- Renew for 2+ years: If you know you'll be using the domain for the foreseeable future, renewing for multiple years protects you from annual price increases from the registries.