Keep ownership with the business
- Register the domain in the business owner’s account, not a designer’s personal account.
- Use accurate registrant information and a durable recovery method.
- Give vendors limited delegated access when the platform supports it.
Prevent expiration and lockout
- Enable auto-renew and monitor the payment method.
- Record the registrar, account email, renewal date, and domain lock status.
- Store backup codes securely and remove former staff access.
Prepare for transfers
- Unlock and request an authorization code only when intentionally moving registrars.
- Confirm the receiving account before starting.
- Do not change several ownership and DNS settings at the same time without a record.
Stop guessing when the problem keeps coming back
Ask for help immediately if renewal notices go to an inaccessible email or a former vendor controls the registrar account.