What's In A (Domain) Name?

Written by SuperUser Account on 2/17/2016
What's In A (Domain) Name?

Yesterday, assorted news websites and Twitter accounts stated that the website jebbush.com was being redirected to Donald Trump’s current campaign website.  The reports originally stated that Jeb Bush’s camp let the domain expire and someone purchased it from underneath him, but later reports discovered that the website is unaffiliated with Bush’s campaign, and the redirect to Trump’s site was working in late 2015.

In light of this recent story, we here at the 5 Stones Media Web Administration Department would like to take this time to remind you to make sure you own – and renew - your domain names!

Typically, when you go to a domain registrar (this is just a fancy term for “registration company”) such as GoDaddy, you purchase your domain name for a set amount of time.  The minimum amount is one year, and you can purchase them for as long as 10 years, depending on the registration company.  (At 5 Stones, we recommend purchasing your domains for a minimum of five years – and we always recommend that YOU own your domain name.  After all, it’s your business!) 

Once you purchase it, the domain name is yours!  You can do whatever you need to with it – such as create a new website, or point it to a current website.

One of the most important things you can do when you sign up with a new domain registration company is READ YOUR EMAILS!  They can send you a lot of emails, and sometimes it’s so very tempting to just click that “Mark As Spam” button in your email program.  Don’t do this, though!  When your domain is about to expire, the registrar will start sending you emails reminding you that it’s time to renew.  RENEW!


(Someone's got to be a classic sci-fi fan out there...)

Typically, most companies will send you reminders 30, 15, and 7 days in advance.  Some companies let you know more frequently, some less.  It’s very important to keep an eye out for those emails, though!  It’s the domain registrar’s way of reminding you to keep your name for your business.

Also, if you purchase a domain under one email address, and then change your email address later, make sure to change your contact address with the domain registrar.  This will ensure you get the reminders from the company, thereby ensuring your domain stays in YOUR name!  It also makes sure that they can get in touch with you if there are any other issues – such as making sure your credit card information on file is up to date.

You purchased your domain name and got a snazzy new website for your business – don’t let it disappear – or get pointed somewhere else – by forgetting to renew your domain name!

If you have questions about websites – whether it’s explaining the difference between domain names and hosting, or just the best way to get a website for your business – contact us at 5 Stones Media today!  We’ll be happy to help!

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