[Str8TalkingBob]

Hi, i have several domain names (around 50 i think) all of them were registered with my web host (Bluehost) apart from 1, which is registered with netfirms. I need to keep this domain but would rather it be registered with my bluehost account. What i'm wondering is, if i let the domain expire at netfirms by taking off the auto renew option, does anybody know if once it expires it will be available straight away for me to buy through bluehost? or is there some kind of period of a few days or weeks or whatever where the domain name will be unavailable? I can't afford the site to be down for even a day as it is a business site i did for my mother and there a quite a few email addresses in use for it.

Anyone with a bit of knowledge on this would be helping me out big time as searching netfirms and bluehost has thus far proved fruitless, a google search has not helped either, whatever search terms i use i just get results of sites that register domain names.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to look at this.

[zed]

don't let it lapse, you have every chance of losing it - it will be available to everyone. Have you looked at a transfer between registrars? Ask your current and new one for details on how they do it. It shouldn't cost you anything except a new annual fee from the new host. Don't hold me to that though as some outfits can sting you for moving away from them.

[Str8TalkingBob]

zed, on 12 October 2011 - 05:39 PM, said:

don't let it lapse, you have every chance of losing it - it will be available to everyone. Have you looked at a transfer between registrars? Ask your current and new one for details on how they do it. It shouldn't cost you anything except a new annual fee from the new host. Don't hold me to that though as some outfits can sting you for moving away from them.

Thanks for the quick reply, i'll look into transferring costs with netfirms now, do you know if a domain name is available straight away after it has expired though?

[zed]

netfirms say it's free http://www.netfirms.com/domain-names/

[zed]

there's usually a few days leeway before it goes out to market. As I said before though, letting it lapse in the hope you can get it back could be a recipe for disaster.

You can do a transfer any time though....while you own it of course.

[roothost]

I believe a domain can be 'in limbo' for up to 45 days after it expires? This is down to it being put 'on reserve' for a few weeks etc should the last owner require it.

I had this with a domain before, I let it lapse but it still appeared in my control panel as a domain reference.

[zed]

and to add, it will be in limbo BUT the actual site won't be linked to it and down.

[roothost]

zed, on 12 October 2011 - 06:05 PM, said:

and to add, it will be in limbo BUT the actual site won't be linked to it and down.

^ This

[Str8TalkingBob]

Thanks guys, much appreciated input there, going to transfer it tomorrow and get it out of the way.