How to Backorder and Host a Domain with NameCheap

Few things are as frustrating as seeing a perfect domain name go to waste.

If a registered name you want for your business isn't available, all you can do is wait and try to buy it before someone else does. Right?

In fact, there's another way to get in on the auction for a domain name well before anyone else.

By backordering a domain, you can put your hat in the ring ahead of time and make absolutely sure you never miss a chance to claim the ideal domain.

Domain backordering is a convenient service that domain registrars all over the world provide.

Once you have a domain locked down, platforms like NameCheap will allow you to easily register or transfer your site and keep it running for longer.

Let's take a look at how both of these services can help your investment dreams come true.

The Lifecycle of a Domain Name

Before diving into the nuances of backordering, it helps to understand the stages a domain goes through during its life.

Available

A registrar opens domains for leasing and registration to the public by their respective registrars. Certain platforms own a particular sort of domain.

The largest of these websites are GoDaddy, NameJet, and SnapNames.

Active

After the registrar leases a domain, it goes online for a period of up to ten years, depending on the agreement.

For most people, a one-year term is typical. The website you attach to this domain is fully-functional during this stage.

Expired

If a domain owner (or registrant) fails to renew their lease, a domain gets taken offline, and the registrar considers it expired.

Renewal

During the expiration stage, the previous registrant has the ability to renew, sometimes for an additional fee. This period lasts up to 45 days before the bidding begins.

Grace Period

Also called Redemption, this stage is typically when the registrar holds an auction, hoping that someone will buy the expired domain.

During these 30 days, registrants will need to pay extra fees to recover deleted information and other expenses.

Pending Deletion

If no one bids on (or reserves) a domain, and the original owner still fails to renew, the registrar simply deletes the domain.

At this point, it re-enters the public market at the available stage and if its a GoDaddy backorder domain it enters into their Closeout domains for 5 days.

What is Backordering?

Also known as dropcatching, backordering offers a company the chance to insert itself between the deletion and availability phases of an expiring domain's journey.

As a buyer, you get an opportunity to reserve the best domain names for yourself before the public sees them.

Any expiring domain for which the registrant has failed to pay the renewal fee is eligible for backordering.

These domains may have been up for sale in the past month but could not find a buyer.

A lack of offers encourages the registrar to lower the cost of their domains, making the drop much more accessible during this window.

Dropcatching is an excellent way to secure web hosting rights on single or multiple domains without interference from the previous domain name owner.

While it doesn't guarantee that the name will become yours, it does put you ahead of the curve compared to the general public.

Why Would I Use a Domain Backorder Service?

Thanks to these services, any person or company can track interest in their favorite domains, whether they're brand new or got reserved years ago.

However, it's essential to keep in mind that you should only resort to backordering domain names that are set to expire within the next few days.

Most backordering services give a wealth of information on each domain name they have access to, making them valuable research tools in their own right.

What's more, many drop catchers will refund their customers if they can't order a domain as requested.

This policy means you can use multiple sites, like GoDaddy or SnapNames, to seek out backorder domains at no additional cost.

Why backorder at all? Domain names should always give visitors the best possible impression of your business or products, which is why having the ideal name in the bag is incredibly important for marketing purposes.

With your perfect domain secured, you get a high-quality website at a significantly lower cost and labor compared to building from the ground up.

How to Use NameCheap

While it won't provide a domain backorder, NameCheap is an excellent host for your newly-secured domain.

In addition to registering new names, the company makes it easy to transfer your domain name to its servers.

That's one of the best deals you can find, considering that NameCheap will add leftover time from your previous hosting to its one-year renewal period.

To switch a domain over to NameCheap, simply create an account and check to see if your domain meets the company's minimum requirements.

Some domains may not be eligible, but you can transfer the vast majority including most TLDs if they are unlocked with the original host.

After verifying, just add your domain to the cart and check out with your preferred account payment options.

NameCheap will send a verification to the email address associated with your NameCheap account, and the transfer will occur within six days.

If the transfer process confuses you, you can have help from numerous threads and forums on NameCheap's blog.

Comments and replies from thousands of users can help connect you with some other account owners looking at similar problems.

Want to Find the Right Expiring Domain?

At SpamZilla.io, we will provide all the tools you need to find the perfect expired domain out of the 350,000+ added to the list each day.

Be sure to check out our many tools!