How and when do you cancel a domain name?

There may be various reasons why you want to cancel a domain name, for example if you can no longer run your business or company. You simply no longer need the domain name in the event of a name change. Or a myriad of other reasons. Canceling the domain name is often the next step. But that's not always the right choice. In this blog post, we take a look at which steps make the most sense in which situations and how you can take care of them. Let's go!

Cancellation of domain names - annual contracts

Since domain names are contracted for a year (or several years), it is only possible to cancel a domain name for a later period. We also communicate this in our emails and send several reminders when this renewal is due. Once we have issued an invoice for a domain name, it is no longer possible to cancel it at that time. The costs for this have already been incurred on our side. So always take care of this in good time and cancel in good time if you no longer wish to use a domain name.

However, you can read some reasons for keeping a domain name in this blog post.

Retaining a domain name during a transition phase

It is often the case that a domain name no longer needs to be renewed because the name of the company or website has changed, or in the event of a takeover. In such situations, it is advisable to keep the domain name for at least another year. This way you can continue to redirect traffic to the new domain name and intercept and forward email traffic. This way you ensure a better transition and any visitors still arriving at an old URL will be properly redirected to your new domain name.

A domain name has value for SEO

A domain name also has some value for search engine optimization (SEO). Because if it was already filled with content and appears in the search engines, it has a history and therefore added value for a new website or organization. The market for used domain names and websites is therefore a large market in which a lively trade takes place. In many cases, the old website and content can still be redirected to maintain some history and positions.

This is also often the case with external backlinks that still point to a previous domain name; in this case it is also advisable to keep the old domain name to pass on this value to your new domain name.

Domain name can be worth money

Even a domain name itself can still be worth money, partly due to the aforementioned value in search engines. So a domain name and website can still be sold if you no longer want to run a website yourself. This varies greatly depending on the domain name and website and what it is worth.

There are various marketplaces you can use to sell a domain name, and you can also target the traffic that is already coming to your website for this purpose yourself. You see this more often with forums, blogs or other websites that are not directly affiliated with an existing business or similar. By placing a banner on the website, you can get in touch with potential prospects.

Transfer of a domain name

In most cases, a domain name can be easily transferred to another party or person by requesting a transfer code via the customer panel after the domain name has been canceled. You then only need to pass the transfer code on to the next party. If the domain name is to remain with MijnHostingPartner.nl, we can also transfer it internally to a new person and customer panel. You can start this process by creating a ticket with the administration. We will then forward this internally for you. Both the transfer to another party and an internal move involve costs.

Before you have transferred a domain name and the associated website, it is advisable to change all passwords and other accounts you have on the website and adjust them if necessary. This way, you will no longer have access to them yourself and can no longer be contacted for them. Which is desirable in most cases.

How long have you had your domain name? Let us know via social media!