Why Is It Important to Keep Your Domain Up to Date?

Domain names are the addresses that tell the internet where to find websites and send email, and they are a crucial part of your digital presence. If something goes wrong with your domain, your website will become inaccessible and your email will stop working. Because of their importance, it's essential to keep your domain details up to date and ensure it points users to the correct online services.

There are two key layers to managing your domain:

• Domain Registration
• DNS Hosting and Management

Each controls a different aspect of your domain name, and both are equally important. Read on to learn more about each.

Domain Registration

The first layer of domain management is registration.

Because each domain name can only be controlled by one party at a time, domain registration exists to ensure ownership and management rights are clearly assigned. You don't own or control a domain name until it has been registered through an accredited registrar, either directly by you or through a company or agency that provides domain name management services.

Domain Names Can Lapse

Domain registration is not a one-time cost. Registration grants control of a domain name for a set period, with one- and two-year registration terms being the most common. If the renewal fee is not paid before the expiry date, the domain may lapse, resulting in a loss of control and potentially causing your website and email services to stop working.

If your domain is managed by us, we will send renewal invoices well before the expiry date to give you plenty of time to pay. If payment is not received, we will follow up with emails and phone calls to ensure you're aware of the importance of renewing your domain.

Read our guide on what happens when a domain name lapses for a more detailed explanation.

Keep Your Information Up to Date

Ensuring that your domain's contact and ownership details are current is crucial for maintaining control of your domain. Key information that should be kept up to date includes:

Registrant Contact Email

• This email address is used by registrars to send renewal notices, ownership verification requests, and other important updates.

Registrant Name

• It is best practice to list your company or organisation as the registrant rather than an individual employee.
• This helps ensure the domain remains connected to the business rather than a specific staff member. It also makes ownership transfers easier if personnel change or if the business is sold.

ABN or ACN for .au Domains

• Australian domain names can only be registered by individuals and organisations with a recognised Australian presence.
• The governing body responsible for .au domain registrations requires a valid ABN or ACN as proof of eligibility.

If someone else manages your domain on your behalf, their name and email address may be listed as the primary contact. In this case, communications from the registrar will typically be sent to them and forwarded to you when necessary. However, you should still ensure the registrant is listed as your business so that control can be easily reclaimed if required.

Domain Name System (DNS)

The second layer of domain management is DNS hosting.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a worldwide network that acts like a phone book for the internet. It translates human-friendly domain names into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate with one another.

To achieve this, DNS records are stored on name servers. These records tell internet traffic where to find your website, email services, and other online resources. Your DNS host is the company or provider responsible for managing these name servers and the DNS records associated with your domain.

Because DNS controls where your website and email services are located, it is important that all records remain accurate and up to date. The person, company, or agency managing your DNS needs to know which records should be updated and what values they should contain.

Maintaining accurate DNS records ensures that:

• Your website loads correctly.
• Visitors are directed to the correct services.
• Emails are delivered successfully.
• Outgoing emails are properly authenticated and trusted.

If you host your website with us, DNS hosting is included as part of the service. We also offer DNS-only hosting for clients who have moved their website elsewhere but still want the benefit of working with a team that has more than 20 years of industry experience.

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While domain registration determines who controls a domain name, DNS hosting determines where that domain directs visitors and services. Both are essential parts of domain management and require accurate, up-to-date information to function correctly.

If your registration details are outdated, you may have difficulty renewing the domain or regaining control if a staff member leaves the business. If the domain lapses or DNS records are incorrect, your website will become unavailable and your email services will stop functioning. These issues can quickly damage the trust and confidence your customers have in your business.

With more than two decades of experience managing domains and DNS records, Web Ideas can help ensure your domain information remains accurate and your online services continue to run smoothly.

Contact us today to learn how our domain name management services can help your business.

Discuss Management of Your Domain