Domains are billed separately from hosting and follow the registry's own rules, which are less forgiving than ours.
THE CYCLE
An invoice is generated in advance of the expiry date and reminders follow. On payment, we renew the domain with the registry and the expiry date moves forward.
IF IT IS NOT PAID
The domain expires. It stops resolving, taking your website and email offline even though the hosting is working perfectly. A redemption period follows, during which recovery is possible but carries a substantial registry fee well above the normal renewal price. After redemption, the domain is released and anyone may register it.
WHY WE CANNOT SIMPLY UNDO THIS
Expiry is enforced by the registry, not by us. Once a domain is released and registered by someone else, it belongs to them. There is no appeal.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Enable auto-renewal and keep a valid card on file. Keep your contact email current and external to the hosted domain. Note renewal dates somewhere outside the system. Consider registering important domains for several years at once. Pay early if you will be away around the renewal date.
