“Can you buy a website domain forever?” is a question that many online business owners ask and ponder. A domain is the core property of every online business, so it’s no surprise that many people feel they should be able to keep their domain forever. This article will provide a succinct answer to this question and describe the intricacies of owning a domain name.
Can You Buy a Domain Name Forever?
No, actually. The organization that governs domain names is called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and it has made it impossible for anyone to acquire a domain name forever.
When you “buy” a domain name, you don’t actually own it. Instead, you are leasing the domain name from the registrar before it expires, and you’re free to renew your lease before each expiration date. You remain a renter and not an outright owner of the domain for as long as you’re using it. However, there is a way to virtually buy a URL permanently, which this article will cover later on.
What Registration Of A Domain Gets You
As we’ve mentioned, registering a domain actually means leasing it from the registrar. According to ICANN rules, you can register a domain for a maximum of 10 years. Anything above that is not possible, instead, you’ll have to renew after every 10-year period.
You may have heard of Epik, a popular domain registrar that offers what it terms “forever registration”. What this actually means is that Epik registers the domain for the maximum of ten years and renews it for the customer once that period passes. It’s not literally “forever” as marketed.
Registering a domain name for a long time grants you peace of mind and assurance that you’ll be in control of the domain for as long as possible. It also lets you lock in a domain price because the registrar can’t increase the price for that ten-year period. However, a long-term registration comes at a much higher cost than a short-term one, which is a disadvantage for individuals or small businesses with tight budgets.
Likewise, let’s say your business name changes long before the expiration of your long-term domain, which you no longer need. That’ll mean wasting money paying for many years of registration that won’t benefit you. Long-term registration has its pros and cons, so it’s up to you to judge if the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa.
Best Way To Register A Domain For As Long As Possible
There’s an answer to the inquiry of “how to buy a domain name forever”. It doesn’t literally mean buying the domain forever, but it’s almost the same thing. To do that, adhere to these important tips;
Register the Domain Long-Term
Register the domain for the maximum of 10 years that’s permitted. You’ll pay a higher upfront cost but won’t have to deal with any price changes within that ten-year period. Most importantly, use a reputable registrar that has been in business for a long time. Avoid random and relatively unknown registrars because they have a higher chance of closing up shop and causing difficulties for you.
Set Up Auto-Renew
You can pre-fund your account on the domain registrar and set up auto-renew. If you’re using a credit/debit card, ensure that the payment info is always valid and up-to-date. This way, your domain registration will be renewed just before the ten-year period runs out. You do not have to worry about anyone snatching it from you because of expiration.
Add Expiration Protection
Some registrars offer expiration protection such that they won’t sell your domain to someone else for up to a year after expiration. It offers additional protection in case you forget to renew your domain shortly after it expires.
Selling a Domain With Long-Term Registration
If you registered a domain for up to ten years but no longer need it before the expiration period, it’s not necessarily a waste of money. You can hire a domain broker to market the domain to potential buyers and sell it. The broker will negotiate the pricing and final sale for you and can also coordinate the transfer to the new buyer.
NameExperts is a good example of a domain broker that you can choose. We have negotiated over $100 million in domain name sales and have over a decade of experience in what we do. We can help you sell your domain for the best possible price and protect your identity during the process.
