Choosing a suitable domain name is one of the most essential aspects of developing a successful website. Once you’ve selected a wonderful domain name for your site, perform a domain name search to ensure it’s available, or offer the owner the asking amount if they’re willing to sell.
However, finding an open domain name is not sufficient; you must also register it with a domain name system (DNS) registrar. In certain situations, your registrar may also serve as your web host, but this is not essential; you can opt to host and register your website with separate companies.
However, what happens if you choose to switch domain registrars? Thus, a domain transfer becomes necessary.
What Is A Transfer Of A Domain?
A Domain Registry Transfer is a process of transferring your domain to a new registrar. As ICANN enforces a 60-day Change of Registrant freeze, In order to be eligible for a transfer from your current registrant, you must have been registered with them for at least one month.
You may choose to transfer a domain for a variety of reasons. Possibly your existing registrar has unexpectedly upped their costs, or your website has become slower to load. Perhaps you’ve discovered a better bargain elsewhere and wish to combine many domains with a single DNS registrar.
Regardless of the cause, we have you covered. Here is a detailed guide on transferring a domain.
- Refresh your contact information.
- Configure your email-sending domain.
- Unlock your domain name.
- Request an authorization code.
- Ensure that your domain is transfer-eligible.
- Create a user account with the new registrar.
- Provide the authorization code
- Authorize the transfer of the domain.
- Pay the domain transfer fee.
- Complete the domain transfer.
- Decide on a public or private domain.
- Cancel your prior subscription.
1.Refresh Your Contact Information
During the transfer procedure, both your current registrar and your new DNS registry provider will need to contact you. Therefore, your contact information must be current.
Log in to the control panel of your existing registrar and review your account information. Ensure that your name, phone number, and physical address are accurate; any missing information may cause the transfer to be delayed or refused.
2.Configure The Domain Name For Your Email Sending Account
This allows you to send emails from addresses such as [email protected], which can assist in the development of your brand or business.
However, when you switch registrars, these email addresses are often disabled, leaving you possibly out of the loop. Ensure that you have a backup email address before initiating the transfer procedure.
3.Unlock Your Domain Name
Look for the “unlock domain” option in the control panel of your registrar. Depending on the provider, it may be under the “Domain” or “Security” part of the main account screen.
By default, domains are locked to prevent inadvertent deletion or modification. You should able to unlock your domain with a simple click, or you may need to contact your registrar directly to request manual unlocking.
Once your domain is unlocked, you can transfer it to a different registrar.
4.Request An Authorization Code
To transfer your domain, an authorization number is required (also called an Auth-Code, Auth-Info Code, or AuthInfo Code). This code exists to prevent an unauthorized entity from transferring your domain.
In addition, this code acts as the link between your previous registrar and your new provider and must be provided within five days, generally by email, upon request. Some registrars allow automatic code creation from their control panels.
5.Ensure That Your Domain Is Transfer-Eligible
If you registered or transferred your domain name within the past 60 days, it is ineligible for transfer. Perform the necessary calculations before making the changeover to avoid losing time.
6.Create A User Account With The New Registrar
Create an account with your new registrar before proceeding. Locate its transfer service page and input the domain name you wish to transfer. Simply input the name of your domain and its suffix, such as.com,.net,.info, etc., without the www.
7.Provide The Authorization Code
Enter the authorization code given to you by your former registrant. Verify the code and ensure that it was input correctly; if the code does not match, the transfer may fail and you may need to begin again.
8.Authorize The Transfer Of The Domain
After entering the authorization code, both your old registrar and the new provider will contact you. You will be required to confirm your contact information and authorize the transfer. Verify that the contact information you’ve supplied to both registrars is accurate, and be ready to answer inquiries about why you’re leaving your existing provider.
9.Pay The Domain Transfer Fee
You must now pay for the domain name transfer, generally using a credit card or an online payment provider such as PayPal. You may be required to pay for a year of service with your new provider, but it is possible to locate specials that provide the first year for free.
10.Complete The Domain Transfer
Once your previous registrar releases the domain, your new registrar will require time to configure your domain and servers. This usually takes between a few days and a week. During this interval, your website should continue to be available via your old registrar.
11.Choose Between A Public And Private Network
Providers let you conceal your website’s WHOIS information from the public. When searched, your website will reveal your registrar’s contact information rather than your own. This is handy if you run a home-based business or do not want your phone number visible. Private domains are more expensive than public ones, though.
12.Cancel Your Prior Subscription
Do not deactivate your previous registrar until your new account is completely operational and your domain has been moved. Once you have checked that everything is functioning properly, you should terminate your old service to guarantee you are no longer being charged.
