Your domain name is like the address of your church or school online — and just like any address, it needs to stay active to keep working for you!
If you're using a custom domain (something other than a free NAD provided domain), it's important to know that domain names aren't a one-time purchase. They're registered for a set period of time — usually 1, 3, 5, or 7 years, depending on your domain host — and that registration needs to be renewed to keep your domain working.
Why Domain Renewal Matters
Your website's domain name (like mychurch.com) is registered through a domain registrar — such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Bluehost. Think of it like a lease: as long as renewal payments are kept up, the domain stays yours.
If a renewal payment is missed, the domain can expire. When that happens, a few things can go wrong:
Your website may go offline
Any email addresses tied to that domain (like info@mychurch.com) may stop working
The good news: if you catch it quickly, you can usually renew the domain or buy it back without much trouble.
The catch: if too much time passes, the domain can become available for anyone to register — including someone outside your organization. If that happens, getting it back may not be possible.
Bottom line: Keep track of who manages your domain registration and make sure renewal payments don't lapse. A quick yearly check-in with your registrar can save a lot of headache down the road.
If the domain is not renewed, here are a few paths forward:
See if you can buy it back. Reach out to your domain host to check whether your old domain is still available for purchase.
Pick a new domain. If it's no longer available, you can register a brand new domain for your church or school.
Switch back to your NAD-provided domain. Just remove the custom domain from your Frame site, and your NAD-provided domain will automatically take over. Here's how: Adding or Removing a Custom Domain. This can also be done as a temporary solution while deciding what do about the custom domain so visitors can still interact with your organization.
A few Tips to Stay on Top of Your Domain:
Keep track of which company your domain is registered with, along with the login information (Username or email as well as the password) for that account.
Make sure the contact and payment information on file with your domain host is current, so renewal reminders reach the right person.
Many hosts offer auto-renewal — turning this on can help you avoid an accidental lapse.
Mark your renewal date on a calendar as a backup reminder.
A friendly tip: the longevity for your website using custom domains, it's best to have your church or school set up the domain account itself — with the login info and payment tied to the organization. Rather than someone setting up through a personal account or card. That way, whoever takes over the admin role down the road will have everything they need to keep things running smoothly.
Platform-provided Domains (*.adventistchurch.org)
If your domain is not a custom domain, and you are using the one that was provided to you free through the Frame platform, you don't need to worry about renewing that domain — they are managed and renewed for you automatically. Domains Supplied by Platform
Things to Remember
This article only applies to custom domain you have registered on your own through an outside domain host.
If the custom domain is not renewed through the domain host the website will not be visible and will give an error "can't be found".
There is also a risk that you can loose your domain to someone else who can buy it from the company.
Make sure the account information is kept for other people who become admin after you.
Most domain companies do have a auto renewal in place as long as the financial payment stays the same. It is good to check this information out on a regular basis.
Also make note on a calendar when the renewal for the domain is due.