What Domain registrar means
The registrar holds the keys to your domain, including where its DNS points. Protect that account with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, keep contact details current, and turn on auto-renew. Expired or hijacked domains are a painful and avoidable problem.
Why it matters for your website
Your registrar holds the keys to your domain, so its security and your access to it matter a great deal. Renewal prices, privacy options and support quality vary widely. A poorly managed registrar account is a common cause of expired domains and hijacking.
Example
A family-owned HVAC company finds its domain is registered under a former web designer's account. It requests a transfer so the business finally controls its own name.
Tips
- Keep all your domains with one registrar under an account the business owns.
- Check renewal prices, not just the first-year price.
- Turn on two-factor login and domain lock.
Common mistakes
- Letting a web designer register the domain in their own name.
- Missing renewal emails because the registrar contact is an old address.
Questions about Domain registrar
What is Domain registrar?
The company you buy and renew a domain name through.
Can I move my domain to a different registrar?
Yes. You turn off the domain lock, get an authorization code from your current registrar and start the transfer at the new one. Recently registered or transferred domains may have a waiting period.
Is my registrar the same as my web host?
Not always. Some companies do both, but your domain can live at one company while your website is hosted at another.
