How to Renew Your Domain Name Before It Expires

You renew your domain by logging into your client account, opening the domain's management page, and completing the renewal payment before the expiry date. Renewing even a few days late can mean extra fees or a period where your website and email stop working, so it helps to know exactly where to check and how to pay.

Why Renewing on Time Matters

A domain registration is valid for a fixed period, usually one year, and does not renew on its own unless you have set up auto-renewal. Once it expires, your website and any email accounts tied to that domain will stop working until it is renewed.

If a domain is not renewed within its grace period, it can move into a more expensive redemption stage, or in rare cases be released for anyone else to register. Don't wait until the last day to renew.

How to Check Your Domain's Expiry Date

1. Log in to your ZIPROF client account.
2. Go to Domains in the account menu.
3. Click on the domain you want to check.
4. Note the Expiry Date shown on the domain's summary page.

You'll also receive automatic email reminders as your domain's expiry date approaches, so keep the contact email on your account up to date.

How to Renew Your Domain

1. Log in to your ZIPROF client account and go to Domains.
2. Select the domain you want to renew.
3. Click Renew (or Renew Now).
4. Choose how many years to renew for, then confirm.
5. An invoice will be generated for the renewal. Open it and click Pay Now to see the payment options.

Paying via MPesa

On the invoice payment page, select the MPesa Paybill option. On your phone:

1. Go to M-PESA on your phone menu and select Lipa na M-PESA, then Pay Bill.
2. Enter the Paybill Business Number shown on your invoice.
3. For the Account Number, enter your full invoice number exactly as it appears on the invoice (it will look something like ZQ1203, not just the digits).
4. Enter the amount shown on the invoice and confirm with your MPesa PIN.

Once payment is confirmed, the renewal is applied to your domain automatically and the new expiry date will reflect on your account.

Turning On Auto-Renewal

To avoid checking expiry dates manually, most client accounts let you switch on automatic renewal for a domain from its management page, usually a toggle labeled Auto Renew. With this on, an invoice is generated automatically ahead of expiry so you just need to pay it when it arrives.

If you're unsure what happens after a domain lapses, see What Happens If Your Domain Expires?.