A step-by-step guide on how to cancel a domain: everything you need to know

Canceling a domain can be a straightforward process if you know the right steps to take. In this guide, we will walk you through the necessary steps to successfully cancel and delete a domain, covering everything you need to know about this important procedure. Whether you are looking to switch providers, rebrand your business, or simply no longer require a specific domain, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to navigate the cancellation process efficiently and effectively.

What is domain cancellation?

When you cancel a domain, you're essentially telling the domain registrar that you no longer wish to own or renew the domain after the current registration or subscription period ends. This action is irreversible – once a domain is canceled and deleted, it will become available for others to register. Additionally, if your domain is associated with a website or email service, those services will be impacted immediately upon cancellation.

Keep in mind that canceling a domain is different from not renewing the domain and letting it expire. Direct cancellation often leads to the domain becoming available much faster than if it were simply left to expire at its expiration date. To learn more about how domain expiration works, take a look at our guide on the domain lifecycle.

Why would you cancel a domain?

There are several reasons why you might find yourself needing to cancel your domain. Perhaps your business is undergoing a rebrand, and the current domain no longer aligns with your new brand identity. Or maybe you've decided to consolidate your web presence and no longer need multiple domains.

In some cases, businesses cancel domains that they've registered to protect their brand but find they no longer need. Additionally, domains for personal projects or blogs that are no longer active or required could also prompt domain cancellation.

Be aware that canceling a domain name can have unwanted consequences, such as cyber criminals or other malicious actors scooping up your canceled domain name for it to host malware or adult content. Especially if your domain name has a high reputation and is strongly connected to your personal or professional reputation, it may be a better choice to have it remain active by redirecting the domain or parking it instead. Make sure to look into the dangers of canceling a domain name before you commit to making this choice.

Preparing for domain cancellation

Before you cancel your domain immediately, be sure to back up your site and notify all involved stakeholders of the decision you are about to take.

Backing up your site

Backing up your website data before a domain election ensures that you don't lose any valuable content, customer data, or bespoke design elements. Start by downloading a copy of your website files, which include HTML, CSS, and media files. Don't forget to export databases if your site uses one. For those who manage their website through a content management system (CMS), use the platform's built-in tools to create a backup. It's also wise to back up any associated email accounts and ensure you have a record of all important communications. For added security, store your backups in multiple locations, such as on an external hard drive and a cloud storage service. Read our guide on website backups to learn more about how this process works.

Notifying stakeholders

When you've made the decision to cancel your domain, it is important to notify all stakeholders involved. This includes partners, customers, and any other parties that have an interest in your website. Communication should be clear about when the domain will be canceled and what the implications are. If you're moving to a new domain, provide detailed information on how and when to reach the new address. It's also a good idea to update any digital marketing materials, such as business cards or social media profiles, with the new domain information. For customers, consider sending out an email blast and updating your website with a notice about the pending change. The goal is to minimize confusion and ensure a seamless transition.

How does a domain cancellation work?

While the exact process may differ at each registrar, the following steps paint a basic picture of what you can expect when you cancel your domain.

1. Identify your domain registrar or hosting provider (the service through which you purchased your domain name). If you’re uncertain, you can find out by searching for your domain on a Whois lookup service.

2. Once you have identified your registrar, review documentation or support articles your registrar provides about domain cancellation, as processes can vary between companies.

3. When you are ready to delete your domain, visit your domain registrar's website and log into your account on their platform. This is where you'll manage your domain settings and initiate the cancellation.

4. Look for the domain management section in your account. Here, you should find options to renew, transfer, or cancel your domain.

5. Select the cancellation option to initiate the process. Be mindful that some registrars may require you to fill out a form or send an email to confirm your intent to cancel. This step is put in place to prevent accidental cancellations. Follow the instructions carefully, and provide any required information to validate your identity and ownership of the domain.

6. Keep a record of your cancellation request and any correspondence with the registrar in case there are any future disputes or issues that arise from the cancellation. There might be a waiting period for the cancellation to take effect, during which you should avoid making any changes to the domain settings.

7. After your domain is canceled, you will receive a confirmation of the cancellation from your registrar. Note that most domain registrars do not offer a full refund on domain cancellations. For some registrars, domain deletion is non-refundable, while others may offer a partial refund.

What to do after you cancel a domain?

Redirection and SEO considerations

After canceling your domain, it's important to manage the impact on search engine optimization (SEO). If you have a new domain, set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one. This tells search engines that the page has moved permanently, helping to transfer some of the SEO value to the new domain.

Ideally, you should keep your old domain for a while to make sure search engines have time to transfer the authority of your old domain over to your new domain. After your domain is permanently canceled and deleted, redirects from this domain will cease to exist, so it is important to give this some time.

If you're not moving to a new domain, inform search engines of the closure of your site to remove it from their indices. Additionally, update or remove any backlinks pointing to your old domain to avoid broken links, which can negatively impact the SEO of the linking sites.

Potential repercussions

Canceling a domain is a significant action that can have several repercussions. The most immediate effect is the loss of your online identity associated with that domain. This can disrupt your branding efforts and confuse customers or clients who are used to your current domain. If you've built up SEO equity, you'll likely see a drop in search engine rankings, especially if you haven't set up proper redirects to a new domain.

There's also the risk of domain squatting, where someone else registers your old domain to capitalize on its previous traffic or to sell it back to you at a higher price. Any email accounts tied to the registered domain name will also cease to function, potentially leading to missed communications and data loss.

To mitigate these issues, plan the cancellation carefully, communicate with your audience, and ensure you have set up proper redirects and transitioned all essential services before the domain is fully canceled.

Alternatives to domain cancellation

Redirecting your domain

Domain forwarding, also known as URL forwarding or domain redirection, is a service that lets you redirect visitors from one domain name to another. When someone enters a specific domain name into their web browser, domain forwarding automatically sends them to a different website or webpage. If you are moving to a new domain name, keeping your old domain name and setting it up as a redirect is a great way to move your current SEO score to your new domain. Meanwhile, it helps minimize customer confusion, as visitors who type in the old domain to find your site are immediately redirected to your new URL.

To learn more about how domain forwarding works and how you can set it up yourself, take a look at our guide on domain forwarding.

Domain parking

If you're not quite ready to let go of your domain but don't have an immediate use for it, domain parking could be a viable option. This alternative involves setting your domain to display a temporary web page, often provided by the domain parking service. Some of these services allow you to monetize the domain by displaying ads on the parked page.

Domain parking can be a good strategy if you're considering selling your domain in the future or if you might use it for a new project or business venture down the line. It keeps the domain registered in your name, prevents others from acquiring it, and can even generate a small amount of passive income. When choosing to park a domain, ensure that you use a reputable service and remain aware of any associated costs, restrictions, or terms of service that may apply.

Selling your domain

Instead of canceling your domain, you might consider selling it, especially if it has market value. Domains that are short, memorable, or contain popular keywords can be particularly valuable. To sell your domain, you can list it on a marketplace dedicated to domain sales, where potential buyers can view and bid on it. You could also approach companies or individuals directly if you believe they would have an interest in your domain. When setting a price, research similar domain sales to set a realistic expectation. Make sure to transfer the domain legally and securely, using a reputable service to handle the financial transaction and the transfer of the domain ownership. Selling your domain not only prevents waste of a potentially valuable digital asset but also provides you with an opportunity to recoup some of the investment you've made in registering and maintaining the domain. Take a look at our guide on domain auctions to learn more about how this works.