The domain name is the URL you buy to build your website on. There are a number of different suffixes (also known as top level domains) such as .co.uk, .com, .biz etc and each of these cost a different amount to renew. Renewal of a domain name is usually the same price as to buy a new one although some domain name providers do offer a discount or even a free domain to existing customers. Domain name costs vary from provider to provider, so it is worth doing your research to find out who is the cheapest.

It is vital to renew domain names that you still use or even ones that you do not use, if you do not want anyone else to get hold of them. If you let your domain expire then your website / email associated with it will also go offline and if you leave it expired then it will become available for anyone else to buy.

Do not be tempted to buy domain names from people that email you out of the blue saying that they have a domain that is worth hundreds or even thousands. Unfortunately there are a lot of scams going round like this and it can be hard to get your money back.