If you're new to the Web you may not be aware of the following but the more time you spend online working your way towards Web success, the chances increase dramatically that it will happen to you or someone you know. Hopefully, you won't make the same mistake others have made because the repercussions can be serious.

Part of doing business online is managing your domains. Pretty obvious, right? That includes staying up to date with when those domains expire and obviously who they are registered with so you do not let them lapse (expire) and/or fall into the hands of someone else. Every now and again, I receive (as do many other professional Web workers) snail mail letters from a company (Domain Registrars of America) notifying me that my domains are about to expire and that I need to renew them.

While the DROA is correct in that my domains are expiring, what many unsuspecting website owners do not realize is that it is not necessary that you renew through the DROA. The letter clearly states this and reads "This notice is not a bill, it is rather an easy means of payment should you decide to switch your domain name registration to the Domain Registry of Amercia." Unfortunately, more than a few website owners have fallen for this and are paying higher than standard rates for their domains.

While my black hat marketing self thinks this is a savvy business promotion, I hate to see anyone be subject to this. I encourage all site owners to be aware of the issue, keeping a detailed list of all domains they own, when they expire and with whom they are registered.