What if a registrar goes out of business?

[kbweb]

I have a domain for my business that I got through SnapNames. I didn't like how they choose registrars. I can't pick which one I want. They register the domain I won on any one of many registrars.

So I got the domain on name2host.com (never heard of them), and they charge $25 for renewals, which is a bit pricey. Plus, because I've never heard of them, I'm a little nervous they might not be around long.

* What if they go out of business?
* What will happen to my domain?
* I've started getting 100+ visits a day but should I change registrars now?

 

[RJ]

If they go out of business, ICANN has procedures in place to ensure the domains are moved to another functioning registrar. This has never happened before, but there was a situation involving RegisterFly being stripped of their accreditation and domains being moved to GoDaddy as a result.

Worse than a registrar going out of business is a registrar who is totally unresponsive and apathetic towards their registrants. There are several of these and they are a pain in the neck to deal with. I've lost some valuable domains because I was unable to get names renewed or unlocked for transfer-out.

Anytime you win a name at auction or with a drop catcher, it's best to transfer that domain to your preferred registrar ASAP. Don't wait until it's up for renewal!

 

[Kate]

SnapNames has an army of registrars working for them so nobody can predict who will catch a dropping name. Many of these registrars exist solely for the purpose of catching drops so the control panel and facilities are kept to a minimum...
If the domain was dropped you need to wait 60 days before you can transfer to another registrar. I always consolidate my names to my usual registrars.
I have purchased hundreds of domains through snapnames, never had any serious problems to transfer. I ran into a technical issue once, this was promptly taken care of by Snapnames. You shouldn't worry much but as RJ says don't wait until the last minute to move away.

 

[SiberForum]

Move all domains you have with them to the new domain name registrar. Just take it easy man

 

[HWW]

I move any name I intend to keep for a while to one of my three favorite registrars (depending of their prices/offers at the time) as soon as I can after purchase.
I have been stung in the past by not checking renewal fees and had to pay one registrar high xx for renewals of three domains (not nice)

 

[weblord]

there are also instances when a wwd reseller goes out of business, all domains registered there are moved to domainspricedright.com in the case of gd/wwd

 

[PoRsa]

I think that ICCAN can solve that. Anyway ICCANN is higher authority and I believe that you are under their protection.

 

[~ServerPoint~]

As far as I understand now - they are ok and they are not going somewhere...
But if you feel they are dieing - move your domains to another registrar.