Don’t Pay That Domain Invoice Just Yet
Every now and then, some of our, domain hosting, clients contact us with the same question:
“I got this invoice in the mail saying my domain is about to expire. Do I need to pay it?”
Our answer is almost always the same: No.
We’ve been seeing more and more of these invoices show up in mailboxes. They look official, they include your website’s domain name, and they make it appear as though it’s time to renew your domain. Some are even worded in a way that makes it sound like if you don’t pay immediately, your website could disappear from the internet. That can be pretty alarming if you don’t know what a domain actually is.
The good news is that if we manage your website, hosting, and domain, you can safely ignore any domain renewal invoices that don’t come from Craft & Cloud. If you’re ever unsure about something you receive, just let us know. We’ll be happy to review it and make sure everything is taken care of.
But this does raise a good question…
So… What Is a Domain Anyway?
The easiest way to think about it is this:
- Imagine you invite someone over to your house.
- You don’t tell them, “Just drive around until you see it.”
- You give them your address.
- Your domain name works exactly the same way.
Your website lives on a web server somewhere in the world. Your domain name is simply the address people type into their browser so they can find it. Instead of remembering a long string of numbers that computers understand, people type something simple like: yourbusinessname.com. Platforms like Godaddy or BlueHost are places you can check domain name availability, purchase, and register your domain. If you are unsure how to do this, and would like help, our team at Craft & Cloud can help you every step of the way.
That’s really all a domain does. It simply tells web browsers where to find your website.
Your Domain Isn’t Your Website
This is something that surprises a lot of people. Your domain isn’t actually your website. It’s simply the address that points people to it.
Here’s another way to picture it:
- Your website is the house.
- Your web hosting is the property the house sits on.
- Your domain name is the street address.
Without the address, people wouldn’t know where to go. Without the house, there wouldn’t be anything to visit. They work together, but they’re two completely different things.
Why Are Domain Invoices Showing Up?
Because domain names are public information, anyone can look them up. Unfortunately, some scammers use that information to send misleading domain renewal invoices in an attempt to trick business owners into paying for services they don’t actually need.
The problem is that these invoices often look like a bill that requires immediate payment, even though they’re not coming from the company that actually manages your domain.
If we manage your website, you do not need to pay these invoices.
If you’re ever unsure whether something is legitimate, send us a photo or forward the email before paying it. We’ll gladly verify it for you.
That’s What Craft & Cloud is Here For
Our Tech team here at Craft & Cloud takes care of the technical side of your online presence, including your website, your hosting, and your domain.
When we manage your domain you don’t need to remember renewal dates or wonder whether a letter that arrives in your mailbox is legitimate.
If we manage your domain, you should only expect to receive a renewal invoice from Craft & Cloud. If you receive an invoice from another company asking you to renew your domain, or anything else related to your website, hosting, or other technical services—and you’re not sure what to do, simply reach out to us before paying it. We’ll be happy to review it with you and let you know whether it’s something you need to take action on.
A quick email or phone call can save you from paying an invoice you didn’t need to pay in the first place—and give you the peace of mind that everything is already being taken care of.
Want to learn more?
To learn more about how your website hosting works with Craft & Cloud, read our blog, how website hosting works. We explain what our hosting services include and how we help keep your website secure, reliable, and accessible. Together, your domain and hosting work hand in hand to make your website available to anyone, anywhere in the world. If you have more questions or curious about Craft & Cloud hosting management, give us a call or contact us to learn more.