Using (Google) Calendar for domains

Here’s a little trick, which is has proven itself just as useful as it is easy. To most companies handling domains is critical task, as losing your domain name may have catastrophic consequences. Handling domains isn’t particularly hard, but there are some tasks, that may be time-critical to handle in due time - luckily Google Calendar provides an easy way to help make sure these tasks are handled.

(In this little tip, I’m using Google Calendar as the reference, but Outlook.com, Office365 or any other online calendaring system can probably do the same.)

Setup a new Google Calendar on an existing Google Account and call it “domains”.

Whenever a domain name is bought or renewed, make a new entry in the calendar at the expire time of the expiry date of the domain. Note the domain name in the subject of the calendar, and if you buy domains at various registrars note any details needed (but not confidential) in the description field.

Next step is to remove the default pop-up notification and add email notifications instead. Choose which warning horizons you’d like - i.e. 1 month, 1 week and 48 hours - and Google will let you know when the renewal is coming up.

Final step is to invite any other who needs to be notified of the domain expiry to the appointment, and make sure, that they notifications is also set up with the warning horizons they like.

… also applicable of certificates

The calendar notifications can also be utilized for SSL / TLS certificates. When buying or renewing certificates make an entry on their expiry date and set up notifications as described above. This way you should be able to ensure your users never see an expired certificate again.