Not renewing domain – will my site be there when I do renew?
-
I have a site that I use as a portfolio for my work when I’m looking for a job. I’m not currently looking for a job, so I do not want to renew my domain and hosting. If I let it lapse and then renew it at a later date, will my WordPress site still be there? I do not want to have to create my site all over again when I need to look for another job. Thanks!
-
I don’t see any WordPress.com sites under your account here.
What is the URL of the site you’re referring to?
-
my site is kalischlieder.com
I’m having issues with it right now anyways. It’s not showing up. I have BlueHost and I’m trying to figure it out. I don’t know why it’s not showing up. It’s very confusing. Do you see it? Thanks for your help.
-
The forum you’re posting in now is for WordPress.com, a hosting provider like Bluehost. As your site is not hosted with us, we have no control at all over it. Please contact Bluehost support directly for help on why your site isn’t loading.
As for your original question, you are paying Bluehost for two things: space on their servers for your site’s files, commonly referred to as hosting, and for a domain, an address where web browsers can access those files.
If you let your domain expire, there will no longer be a place where browsers can access your site’s files, so even though your content might be fine, it will be on a server no one can reach. Also note that if you let a domain expire there’s no guarantee you’ll ever be able to register the same domain again.
If you let your hosting expire, it will mean you’re no longer paying Bluehost to host your site’s files on their servers, which will result in them deleting those files from their servers, and your site will be gone forever, unless you downloaded a full backup from your host’s servers before the site went offline.
You’ll need to speak to Bluehost support for any more details regarding this, and what options they have available for you.
But if you want your site to remain online you essentially have two options: Continue paying Bluehost for your hosting and domain, or else migrate your site’s content to a platform that offers free hosting options, like WordPress.com.
-
I can’t thank you enough for responding to me. I have been trying to google answers and have just been having the hardest time getting anywhere. Would it be possible for you to share a link on how I can migrate my site to free hosting with WordPress? Or do I need to contact Bluehost? Thank you!!
-
https://wordpress.com/support/moving-from-self-hosted-wordpress-to-wordpress-com/ for how to export/import your existing site content but if you require a free site here at WordPress.com you would need to build a site with an address ending in .wordpress.com and relinquish your domain. As was said above there would be no guarantee you’d be able to recover your expired domain. To keep it and use it on a site here would need a paid plan.
- The topic ‘Not renewing domain – will my site be there when I do renew?’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 