A domain name follows a lifecycle. While it is active, the holder can use it for a website, email, DNS services or simply keep it registered. If it is renewed before the deadline, the lifecycle continues normally.
If the renewal does not happen, the domain may enter a grace period. During this phase the registrar can still allow renewal, sometimes while suspending the website or replacing it with a temporary page.
After the grace period, many extensions move the domain into redemption. The domain usually stops resolving, email stops working and recovery may require an additional fee. This phase exists to protect holders from accidental loss.
If the domain is still not restored, it may enter pending delete. At that point it can no longer be renewed or recovered by the previous holder and will soon be released according to the registry rules for that extension.
The exact timing changes by extension. A .com, a .it and a .eu domain do not necessarily follow the same release process, so any backorder strategy must consider the specific rules of the extension involved.