How to Transfer a Domain Name
As a common practice among websites, domain transfers occur when a website administrator wants to change the hosting option that they currently invest in or wants to change ownership of a domain. Once a transfer has been completed, the new registrar will maintain any relevant information associated with the domain or registrant. Regardless of your reason, there are several key steps that should be taken before a website domain can be transferred to a new registrar option. Fortunately, the process is not only easy but can be completed in a short amount of time.
Why Would You Transfer a Domain Name?
If you have a great domain name that generates tons of traffic but your domain registrar option is not providing the same level of support as expected, there is a good chance that you have looked into other domain registrar options.
Perhaps your domain registrar just does not provide the same tools or security that you need, or you are shopping around to find a better price. No matter what your unique needs may be as a website administrator, there is a good chance that you are ready to make the shift and transfer a domain name to a new registrar.
From the features a registrar provides to how affordable their domains may be, there are a lot of factors to consider before taking the plunge and transitioning to a new registrar to handle your website domain name. The good news, however, is that no matter what your current domain registrar option may be, you are not locked into staying with them for the long haul and you can switch to a new registrar at any time. Although the technical details of moving your domain name to a new registrar may seem challenging, this article can help alleviate some of the burden and help simplify the process.
How Do You Transfer a Domain Name?
No matter what domain registrar you may currently be utilizing for your website, the transfer process will likely be the same; however, finding the information on your own domain registrar’s website may take a little patience. In some cases, it may be best to seek assistance from outside parties to expedite the process. Although, many website administrators find success by completing the following key steps in sequence:
#1
Unlock the Website and Obtain an EEP Code
Before a domain transfer can occur, the current owner of the website will need to unlock the domain through their current registrar and obtain an EEP code. EEP codes function as an authorization code and were implemented to safeguard unauthorized domain transfers and protect the rights of the domain owner.
#2
Purchase a Transfer Through Your New Registrar
Once you find a suitable domain registrar for your needs, the website owner will then need to order a registrar transfer through that provider to move their existing domain name. For example, if your current host is GoDaddy and you would like to transfer your domain name to Namecheap, you will need to order the transfer through Namecheap.
#3
Review Emails for Authorization Code
Once a domain transfer order has been placed with a new registrar, the new registrar will send the website owner an authorization code that contains any necessary information or steps required to complete the process. In some cases, step 2 will provide an authorization code that can be used when you initially request the transfer.
#4
Await Confirmation of the Domain Transfer
Once the initial steps have been completed, the new registrar will contact the existing registrar to transfer the domain name. Generally, registrars require around 5 days to return communication. If no response is received, the contacting registrar assumes the transfer has been rejected. If your email from your current registrar with a “request for authorization” to release the domain name, ensure you confirm the release.
Once these steps are finished, the new registrar will contact the website owner to let them know the domain transfer has been completed successfully. For most website domains, the transfer process will take between 1 and 10 days depending on the new registrar chosen and the existing registrar’s response time. For the best results, ensure you are utilizing ICANN-accredited registrars.
Can Domain Name Transfers Be Rejected?
In some instances, domain transfers may be rejected for a variety of reasons outlined by ICANN’s Policy on Transfers of Registrations Between Registrars. Some common reasons for denial include evidence of fraud, non-payment for previous registration periods, transfers requested within 60 days of the creation or transfer of a previous domain name and reasonable dispute over the identify of the registered name holder. However, sometimes a simple mistake like not unlocking the domain name through the current registrar could be to blame.
Do You Recommend Any Specific Domain Registrar?
Generally, the team at Maennche recommends Namecheap as a domain registrar because they have consistent pricing. GoDaddy, for example, can be .99 the 1st year, then 12.99 the 2nd year, then 17.99 the 3rd year. Namecheap is (except in exceedingly rare occasions) always the same price i.e. 11.99, and their pricing is on the cheaper side for the level of consistency that is achievable.
In addition to domain registrations through Namecheap, our team also recommends pointing through Cloudflare for DNS hosting. This will provide more consistent and faster lookup response to make your website, email services or other associated services more efficient. If you have any questions regarding the transfer of your domain or the registrars and services that can make your website faster or more secure, we would love to help.