Your domain name (example: companyname.com) is an extension of your company, branding and your image. So it’s very important!
Don’t let this happen to you (Dallas Cowboys’ website down during peak interest) :
Once you have purchased your domain, you must renew it at the end of the purchase term. If you or someone in your company purchases the domain, make sure numerous people in your organization are listed as contacts so they receive renewal notifications and that they all have access information (usernames & passwords) so they can handle the renewal. I can’t tell you how many times our clients have let their domains expire and then contact us in a panic because their site & sometimes email is not working. The site isn’t really down, but the domain was not renewed so it is no longer pointing to the website &/or the mail server, so mail to this domain will also no longer work! Even worse, if the person who set-up the domain is no longer with the company & their email is not forwarded & no one else knows the password, it takes even longer to get everything back online. And that’s the best case scenario! If you don’t notice your site is down for a long period (which is why all sites should be monitored), someone else could actually buy your domain and you will either have to get a new domain & re-print everything with your new URL, replace old links, etc… or go to battle over the domain (usually only worth it if it’s a trademarked name).
Have I scared you?
Most web hosting companies offer to purchase & handle renewals on your domain as long as they are hosting your site. You have to make a judgment call here on the stability of the company? How long have they been around? If you aren’t sure they will be around in 1-3 years, you should probably handle the domain yourself, or at least make sure you are listed as a contact on the domain and have the access info. If you feel the company is stable and trustworthy, then just make sure that you can transfer the domain when/if you move your site or change providers.
Take 15 min. today and find out who handles your domain. How many people have access & know how to get into the account. Who receives notification at renewal time? If you do not have a high traffic site, make sure you check daily that it & your email is working or look into site monitoring (if you need help on any of these items, let us know).
Take a lesson from the Cowboys: don’t find your site and email down at when people are looking for information about you, especially when you are 1-7!