What happens to a domain if we don’t renew it? And where do we buy them?

Everything works very quickly and simply on the internet — you type in the website name and you’re there. But behind all this are several important things that enable websites to exist. One of the key elements is the domain.

What is a domain?

A domain is a web address that we type into the browser, for example spletni-servis.si.

Just as a house has its address or every phone has its number, every website has its name – this name is the domain.

A domain is therefore an address to a website.

Domains aren’t permanent – they have expiration dates

When someone buys a domain, they actually don’t buy it forever, but rent it for a specific period – most commonly for one year. After this year, they must renew it, which means paying for it again.

If they don’t do this, the domain expires.

What happens if we don’t renew a domain?

1. The domain stops working – If the deadline expires and it wasn’t renewed, the website associated with the domain will no longer work. People who type in this address will see an error or notice that the page no longer exists.

2. The domain enters a “grace period” – This is a special period (usually 30 days, informally called quarantine) when the previous owner still has the opportunity to recover and renew it. It’s like a final reminder: “Are you sure you don’t want it anymore?”

3. The domain becomes available to everyone – If the domain isn’t renewed even after the grace period, it goes back to the “open market”. This means that anyone can buy it, even a complete stranger. In some cases, someone else can use this domain for their website or even sell it for more money if it’s valuable.

Therefore, it’s very important to regularly renew domains – especially if they’re associated with a company, store, personal project, or brand.

Where can domains be purchased?

Domains aren’t bought in toy stores or shopping centers, but from special companies called domain registrars. These companies enable:

• checking if a domain is still available;

• registration of new domains;

• renewal of existing domains;

• management of DNS settings (which determine where the domain points to).

The purchase process itself is quite simple: you enter the name you want, check if the domain is available, and register it. Then you pay for its use every year (or several years in advance).

Additional insight: domains and security

Well-known domains are often targets for people who want to exploit them. For example, if a company forgets to renew a domain, someone else can register it and redirect visitors to another website. Therefore, it’s recommended to set up automatic renewal or use reminders so you don’t forget about the domain.

There are real examples of even larger companies forgetting to renew their domain.

How does the domain cycle work?

[1] Registration

↓

[2] Active domain (1 year or more)

↓

[3] Renewal deadline (expires)

↓

[4] Grace period (30-45 days)

↓

[5] Deletion from registry

↓

[6] Available domain – available to anyone!

A final tip

If you have a website or are planning a project where you’ll use a domain, always ensure timely renewal.

Don’t forget – a domain is your digital address. If you lose it, this could mean losing visitors, emails, or even revenue.

Can we help you with domain selection, information, renewal, or purchase?

Choosing the right domain isn’t always easy.

It must be:

• short and memorable,

• related to your activity or name,

• and preferably still available.

If you’re not sure which domain to choose, or you’re interested in which extension (.si, .com, .net …) is most suitable for your project, we’re happy to help.

We can advise you on:

• checking domain availability,

• choosing between different options,

• finding creative solutions if your desired domain is already taken,

• and also with technical registration.

You can check domains ending in .si at this link
register.si

You can check domains ending in .com, .net,… at this link
whois.com

Write to us or call us — together we’ll find the best web address for you or your company.

Are you handling everything alone?
We can stand by your side and take care of domain renewal
and your website updates – worry-free!