How do you manage your domain names?

[theodotcom]

I have about 40-50 domain names which I host for clients. Currently I have them in an excel file, which expiry dates, usernames & passwords (if we manage them as well for clients), website usernames and passwords etc.

This excel file I've set up doesnt work as well, for example yesterday I saw 2 domain names which I overlooked with 1 expiring yesterday and the other expiring 25th jan. So I had to quickly raise renewal invoices for these.

Is there a better way of managing the domain names, something that would notify me when the hosting is expiring etc.

I'm going to be setting up a CRM system soon, probabyl something like sugarCRM, would that be able to do the job, and notify me when hosting expiring etc?

Any advice appreciated.

[liveseytowers]

When we used 123reg at my previous place of work we used to get reminders by email advising its due to expire. You could spend the time going through your spreadsheet and setting reminders in your email client to remind you when they expire for now.

[theodotcom]

Its not the actual domain names but more the hosting on the domain names, some customer pay quarterly some yearly depending on their web site and costs. I did try using outlook to set reminders but I never stuck with it because it was extra work. Ideally if there is some software or web based script where I add the details, select the frequency for renewal etc. I know WHMCS does it and I think that also does invoices directly to the clients, payments etc however thats $20 a month and would prefer some sort of free solution.

[Tzone]

Never used these myself but you could try http://collectionmanagers.com/domain_portfolio.php or http://www.domainpunch.com/domain-punch-pro/ but domain punch isn't cheap!

[theodotcom]

That domain punch looks good but ideally want something similar and free

[Over Carl]

Not just for domain names, why not set up reoccuring appointments in microsoft outlook/your mobile phone/what ever else you have to hand?

[theodotcom]

Thanks overcarl, tried that option but didnt stick to it, and the other problem is there is additional data I want to keep with it, ie passwords. possibly even customer details and stuff like that as most of the domains belong to customers and they just have the nameservers pointed at my server, I own about 10 of them.

I'm thinking maybe to go down the crm route and keep the domain details in the customer, I'm sure that can set reminders and stuff and link to outlook etc. Just gonna be time consuming setting it all up.

[Over Carl]

Additional data is easy - on one of your web sites, put up an encrypted spreadsheet with data like passwords etc, then put this as a hyperlink in the reminder.

It's been a while, but I'm sure there was options in outlook to set automated reminders at set periods in advance like 12 months, etc so the only way it could cock up is if you don't bother putting the info in which will hinder any possible solution.