How to manage your domain name

Introduction

This guide will answer some of your common questions about domain names, including:

How do I transfer a .uk or .co.uk domain to Nublue?

To transfer a .uk (or .co.uk) domain to Nublue, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Request the transfer of your domain via your Nublue Billing account.
2. Update the domain’s IPS tag to NUBLUE with your current domain provider. We recommend that you do this directly after submitting your transfer in request to ensure a smooth transfer. If you are unsure of anything please don’t hesitate to contact us.

If your .uk (or .co.uk) domain transfer to us fails, then you’ll need to ensure that the IPS tag for your domain name has been correctly updated and then contact us so that we can re-submit the transfer request for you.

How do I transfer any other type of domain to Nublue?

To transfer any other type of domain to Nublue, you’ll need to do the following:

1. First ensure that the domain is unlocked with your current provider. Depending on the provider, you may need to request that they do this for you, or it may be something that you can action yourself from your account area with them. You will also require the domain’s EPP code, sometimes called a transfer code. This can usually be found in your current provider’s panel or you may have the option to have the code emailed out to you.
2. Request the transfer in of your domain via your Nublue Billing account. You’ll need to enter your EPP code as part of this.
3. Whilst Nublue will not charge you for a transfer in, in most cases we will renew the domain for the minimum term possible as part of the transfer process. When you enter your transfer request, you’ll receive notice of the amount that you’ll be billed for before you checkout and confirm the transfer.

If your domain was registered less than 60 days ago, then you’ll need to wait until 60 days from registration have passed and then complete the steps above again. If your domain was registered more than 60 days ago and the initial transfer fails, then you’ll need to repeat the steps above and ensure that the domain is unlocked before providing us with the EPP code again.

How do I renew my domain name?

Your domain should renew automatically as long as we have received payment for the renewal. If you have a valid payment card on file no action is required, the domain will be automatically renewed on its invoice due date. If you do not directly manage your domain name then renewal should be handled by your domain administrator.

If you have chosen to make payments manually for your domains, you can renew your domain by logging into your Billing account and visiting this link.

Domains with some TLDs are automatically renewed prior to the expiry date of the domain name. For example, .de domains go into redemption if they are not renewed 5 days before the expiry date of the domain. As a result, we auto-renew .de domains 30 days before expiry date to prevent your domain being deleted by the registrar or going into redemption. You must inform us if you no longer wish to renew this domain at least 30 days before expiry date of the domain. If you fail to notify us of domain cancellation before this date, you accept liability for the renewal invoice for the domain as per our domain renewal.

Similarly .eu domains are deleted by the EU registry if they are not renewed 3 days before the expiry date of the domain. As a result, we auto-renew .eu domains 30 days before the expiry date to prevent your domain being deleted by the registrar (which results in substantial fees to you to then re-activate the domain, in addition to the renewal fee). You must inform us if you no longer wish to renew this domain at least 30 days before expiry date of the domain. If you fail to notify us of domain cancellation before this date, you accept liability for the renewal invoice for the domain as per our domain renewal.

For full terms and conditions regarding domain renewals and a list of other TLDs that may be subject to renewal prior to the expiry date, please see our site here.

What happens if my domain name expires?

If your domain names expires, the domain will at some point become accessible so any website or email services associated with it will stop working. After expiry, most common types of domain name will enter a 30 days “grace period” during which it remains inactive but however will be available to you to renew it during this time in order to reactivate it. See above for examples of exceptions to this rule - some less common TLDs are handled differently.

For example, you should receive notification 1 day after the expiry date that a .uk domain name has passed the expiry date without a renew request. 23 days after the expiry date, you will receive notice that the domain name will be suspended at the 30 days mark. You will receive a further email on day 30 to advise you that your .uk domain name has been suspended and advise you on how you can renew the domain before it is ultimately cancelled and released back for open registration.

If you do not renew your domain during this period, the domain will return to the public domain so that anyone can register your specific domain name.