Domain Name FAQ: Answers to the Questions We Get Most

A shorter, more specific version of our full FAQ page — the domain-specific questions people ask us directly.

Can I use one company for my domain and a different one for hosting?

Yes, and it's common. You just point your domain's nameservers at your host. Nothing requires them to be the same company.

What happens if I forget to renew my domain?

Most registrars give a grace period (typically 30-45 days) where you can still renew at the normal price. After that it usually enters a "redemption period" with a much higher restoration fee, and eventually becomes available for anyone to register. Set up auto-renewal if you don't want to track this manually.

Can someone else register my domain if I let it lapse?

Yes, once it clears the grace and redemption periods and returns to the general pool, it's available to anyone — including domain resellers who specifically watch for expiring names.

Is a .com always better than other TLDs?

Not universally, but it's still the default assumption for most visitors, and easier to say out loud. Country-code TLDs (.uk, .de) and newer ones (.io, .dev) work well when they're relevant to your audience or industry.

Do I need a trademark to register a domain?

No — but registering a domain that closely matches someone else's existing trademark can expose you to a UDRP dispute. See our compliance guide for how that process works.

For more information and resources, visit our homepage or contact us directly.