I’m sure this is a totally newbie question but I’m really stuck to find an answer anywhere.
I set up my website using hostgator, whch was registering the domain name and then taking out their Shared Hatchling package for the hosting. I haven’t used the site in a long time but still need it for the future. Hostgator are now due a payment - 2 payments, actually; one for the Shared Hatchling at $300 and one for the domain name for $15.
So my question is, should I just pay the $15 to keep the domain name and forget about the other one (which I can’t afford at the minute)? Or if I leave them both and don’t pay until I need them again (probably in about 6 months or so) will I lose the domain name? I was hoping to start it up again by maybe using a different and cheaper host for the hosting plan. I hope this is all clear enough.
Yes, you can lose the domain name. But you can hold a domain name without hosting. I’m not sure what HostGator’s specific rules on that are, but I’m sure they will have placeholder pages for you.
I own around 10 domain names, but only a few point anywhere. If you let domains expire, someone else can register them and if they are at all worth having, then some bot is probably going to buy them up as soon as they expire and try to sell it for $98,000.
As @mawburn says, it’s definitely worth renewing the domain, as you may well lose it if you don’t, but there is no need to have hosting for it. $300 sounds quite dear to me; I’m sure you could find something cheaper when you’re ready to host it again.
Ah - that sounds more realistic. Depending on the size of the site and what you actually need, you should be able to find cheaper hosting if you look around… (Do check reviews first, though, or better still get a recommendation from someone you know and trust; not all cheap hosting is worth what you pay. )
The hosting I am currently using (having switched from HostGator) has a basic plan at $4.95 per month for two years paid in advance -so there are definitely much cheaper plans around than the hostgator one.
They also have a pay as you use it cloud based plan at $5 per month (payable by the month)
Now most of the hosting companies provide free domain registration. For one year you need not to pay for it. Check out for such hosting providers. There are many free domain registration sites available. contact the support team and clarify about it.
Even if you don’t have hosting with them? I suspect hosting is part of the deal.
Anyhow, I would never trust a “free” domain host. Just not worth it if you want to protect your domain name. I also prefer to have my domains hosted somewhere other than where the site is hosted. It can sometimes be messy wresting control of a domain name from a web host you’ve abandoned.
Don’t you prefer to pay for hosting monthly instead? There are different providers offering hosting services with monthly subscriptions, for instance, EURO-SPACE (where I host my page) has plans for as low as EUR 2.99 monthly, and you can also register your domain for around Eur 10 year.
