What are the best practices for managing DNS domain registration and renewal?

2 Register for multiple years

One of the best practices for managing DNS domain registration and renewal is to register your domain names for multiple years, rather than renewing them annually. This has several benefits, such as saving money, avoiding expiration, and improving SEO. Registering for multiple years can save you money, as some registrars offer discounts or incentives for longer-term registrations. It can also help you avoid the risk of losing your domain name if you forget to renew it on time, or if someone else tries to snatch it when it expires. Additionally, registering for multiple years can improve your SEO ranking, as some search engines consider domain age and stability as factors in their algorithms.

3 Use auto-renewal and reminders

Another best practice for managing DNS domain registration and renewal is to use the auto-renewal and reminder features that most registrars offer. Auto-renewal is a feature that automatically renews your domain name before it expires, using the payment method and duration you have specified. This can save you time and hassle, as well as prevent domain loss due to human error or technical issues. However, you should still monitor your domain status and payment details regularly, and update them if necessary. Reminders are notifications that alert you when your domain name is about to expire, usually via email or SMS. You should enable these reminders and check them frequently, especially if you do not use auto-renewal or if you have multiple domains with different registrars.

4 Secure your domain name

One of the most important best practices for managing DNS domain registration and renewal is to secure your domain name from unauthorized access, transfer, or modification. There are several ways to do this, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, locking your domain name, and using DNSSEC. Strong passwords are essential for protecting your registrar account and your domain name management panel. You should use a unique and complex password for each account, and change it periodically. Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that requires you to enter a code or a token, besides your password, to access your account. You should enable this feature if your registrar supports it. Locking your domain name is a feature that prevents your domain name from being transferred to another registrar without your consent. You should enable this feature and only disable it when you want to initiate a transfer yourself. DNSSEC is a protocol that adds digital signatures to your DNS records, verifying their authenticity and integrity. You should enable this feature if your registrar and your hosting provider support it, as it can prevent DNS spoofing and hijacking attacks.

5 Review your DNS records

The last best practice for managing DNS domain registration and renewal is to review your DNS records regularly and update them if needed. DNS records are the data that link your domain name to your IP address, your email server, your subdomains, and other services. You should check your DNS records for accuracy, consistency, and performance, and make sure they match your current hosting configuration and network requirements. You should also delete any outdated or unused records, as they can cause confusion, errors, or security vulnerabilities. You can use various tools and websites to check your DNS records, such as dig, nslookup, or DNS Checker.