The importance of your domain name registration information cannot be overstated. Your domain name, (i.e. url, yourstore.com) is the online equivalent to the title to your business. You would never misplace an important document like that. Don’t lose track of your domain.
How could that happen? It’s as simple as changing your e-mail address and failing to notify your domain name registrar*. When they try to notify you that your domain is expiring, you don’t get the message. Before you know it, your web site isn’t showing and you’re jumping through hoops and paying unnecessary fees to get your domain back. Or worse, you can lose your domain to squatters who pounce as soon as a domain exits its redemption period.** (I’ve had at least one client who lost their domain this way.)
So – check your contact info today. Better yet, go in and enter multiple e-mail addresses in your contact info (at different domains, please). Find your domain name registration login and keep it safe. Enter Papyrus as your technical contact if you don’t have another e-mail address. And while you’re at it, check your expiration date. The latest search engine optimization news says that Google prefers a domain name that is registered multiple years in advance. It’s a sign of committment. Just don’t forget to update your contact info in the meantime.
*Domain Name Registrar: the company you paid in order to use the domain. Common registrars are GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Register.com, 1and1.com et al. If you paid me to register your domain, I’ve already entered at least two different email addresses in your domain account.
**Redemption Period: you have a small window of time (e.g. 30-45 days) to renew a domain after it expires and before it is available to the open market. Domain “investors” watch lists of domains about to expire and will pounce if one comes open. Don’t think that your domain would not appeal to them. If it was valuable enough for you to register it, they are willing to bet you will pay them to retrieve it.