What is a domain name?
A domain name is a string of text that maps to an alphanumeric IP address, used to access a website from client software. In plain English, a domain name is the text that a user types into a browser window to reach a particular website. For instance, the domain name for Google is ‘google.com’. It’s like a phone number: you can have a domain, and carry it “with you”, even if you change the website.
The actual address of a website is a complex numerical IP address (e.g. 192.0.2.2), but thanks to DNS, users can enter human-friendly domain names, and be routed to the websites they are looking for.
Who owns the domain name?
A domain, is like a phone number: when you “purchase a domain”, you don’t own it, you lease it. Domains are usually purchased (leased) on a yearly basis, but also for several years. This reduces the task of renewing it every year, or forgetting to do so. However, make sure to renew the domain on time.
Who manages domain names?
Domain names are all managed by domain registries, which delegate the reservation of domain names to registrars. Anyone who wants to create a website can register a domain name with a registrar, and there are currently over 300 million registered domain names.
How to keep a domain name secure
Once a domain name has been registered with a registrar, that registrar is responsible for notifying the registrant when their domain is about to expire and giving them the chance to renew, ensuring they do not lose their domain name. In some cases, registrars will prey on their users’ expired domain names by buying those domains the second they expire and then selling them back to the original registrant at an exorbitant price.
Also, there are countless “companies” who offer domain renewal services. They gather the publicly available information, and send mass emails to the domain’s or website’s owners, claiming they have to renew the domain with them, or lose it.
It is important to choose an honest, and trustworthy registrar to avoid these kinds of predatory practices.
If you purchase a domain through Closrr, we will take care of keeping your domain secure, and we (and only we) will handle domain renewals.