1. Is your domain name still registered?
The first and often over looked check is to make sure that your domain name is still registered. We generally use a company called Tucows/OpenSRS to register domain names
You can use their tool to double check your registration status at https://tucowsdomains.com
On the above page, there are two options:
- Need help with your domain?
Should give a result similar to below:
- WHOIS lookup? Or direct link to WHOIS
The first option should show your own information or a link to here, you therefore should be confident that your domain is registered with Tucows/OpenSRS, if someone else's information appears - you may have left your domain lapse
The second option should show the WHOIS lookup for the domain and in the past would show your information. In the above example, this domain expires on 6 February 2027 and the name of the reseller will probably be your name
Due to the amount of spam and scams these records used to show your details, in most cases WHOIS privacy is an option, eventually GDPR rules meant you couldn't show the details of the registrant and are redacted
These days, it's possible to get your electricity, gas supply and telephone service from a number of providers, there are now a large choice of registrars of domains. With the exception of .UK domains, only Nominet provide .UK domains. If you want to see the range of registrars available with .com domains, look at https://www.icann.org/
If you look at the "Registrar Registration Expiration Date:" field, if the date is fairly recent then you may well need to renew your domain name in a timely manner, otherwise a "redemption fee" is payable, in most cases a $80 USD charge, so it's always a good idea to renew your domain promptly
If you are at the stage of having to pay the "redemption fee" then your website and email may stop working
Should the results state that the domain isn't registered with Tucows/OpenSRS then we'd recommend that you conducted a general search on a site like https://www.whois.com/