Transfer A Domain To Another Registrar
Moving your domain to a new registrar isnt difficult, but theres a series of steps youll have to complete. These steps exist in order to protect the domain that you own.
But, if you dont mind getting your hands dirty, then heres how you can transfer your domain to a new registrar. For the sake of this tutorial, were going to assume youre moving your domain over to HostGator.
Before we dive in theres an important point to cover. You can only transfer a domain if its been in your possession for 60 days. If youve owned your domain for more than 60 days, then youre good to go. If not, then bookmark this post and come back in 60 days.
1. Prepare for the Transfer
The first thing youll need to do is disable the existing protection protocols and prepare your domain name for a transfer. If you want a smooth transfer process, then make sure you do the following:
Now, your domain is successfully prepared and ready for transfer.
2. Start the Domain Transfer
Initiating the transfer process with HostGator is easy. Head over to the HostGator Transfer page and enter the domain name you want to transfer.
3. Verify the Domain Transfer
How To Transfer A Domain From One Web Host To Another
Once you decide to switch from your current web host, you start the search for right web hosting provider who can fulfill your requirement. Once you are done, the biggest hurdle faced is to transfer a domain to chosen service provider.
Pre-transfer Checklist
Step 1: How to check if the domain is eligible for transfer or not?
- That the domain was created at least 60 days ago.
- That the domain has not been transferred from another registrar in the last 60 days.
- Ensure that the domains registrant information is correct and clearly visible in the who.is.
- Ensure that the owners or administrative contacts e-mail address is valid and is one that you have access to.
Help transferring your domain from current registrar
Below you will find a couple of instructions that can help you to release your domain name from your current registrar.
Make sure that you have:
- Unlocked your domain name.
- Obtained the authorization code of the domain name.
- Access to admin email contact of the domain name.
Step 2: How to unlock domain name
Locked domain names cannot be transferred to another registrar. To transfer your domain name, you must unlock it first.
To unlock:
Step 3: How to obtain authorization code
How To Transfer Your Domain To A New Host
Now that you understand why you might want to transfer your domain name, its time to discuss how to get it done. Youll need two things: a domain thats still active, and an account on the platform where you want to transfer it to. The latter is easy enough to secure just sign up to your new web host or registrar as you would any other site. Then proceed to the first step.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does A Domain Name Cost
Option #: Outsource Your Site Move
Picking a web host that offers free migration service is the best option for beginners and busy business owners.
Web hosting is a competitive industry hosting companies are doing all they can to win new customers. Many hosting companies, including some great ones that I recommend, provide free website migration service to new customers. All you need to do is request a migration after signing up with the new provider and their support team will take care of the heavy-lifting.
In most cases, this is the preferred way so you can save time and focus on other crucial work with your website.
Here’s what you need to do if you are going with this option:
Provide Access To All Connected Third
In a lot of cases, the first and second steps should be enough to complete a successful website transfer. However, a lot of websites also use third-party services to help them implement new features.
is one of the most popular examples of such a third-party service. It enables you to monitor your websites metrics in-depth. However, you need to access the services dashboard to check out that information:
It stands to reason whoever owns your website will also want access to all the third-party services you used to build it up. With that in mind, youll need to make a list of all the services with external accounts you use to run your website. Youll then need to transfer their credentials to your websites new owner.
In most cases, this should be as simple as updating contact information and sending a list of login credentials. However, in particular cases, such as with Google Analytics, things get a bit more complicated. You probably dont want to transfer ownership of your entire Google account since it might be associated with multiple other services. In this case, youll need to transfer your web property to the new owners Google Analytics account.
Also Check: How To Transfer Wix Domain To Shopify
Changing Hosting V Transferring Domain Name Only
If you decide to switch hosting providers, you will need to ensure you have a full backup of your Web site on your own computer before you begin the process. You’ll also need to ensure any server-side scripts can be installed and will run on your new hosting platform, because you will need to upload your site to your new server. If you’re not sure how to do this, check with your new host to see if they are able to help.
If you’re just transferring the domain registration, your hosting account will be unaffected, and there will be no need to transfer files between servers. Although DNS information should be transferred as part of the process, it’s always a good idea to have a record of them.
How Long Does It Take To Initiate A Transfer
Here is a bit of good news for you: completing a domain name transfer does not take long at all. If you take the time to sit down and stay on top of it, the steps you need to take can be completed in an hour or two. We recommend the process be completed in one sitting, when possible, for security purposes.
Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Domain Name
How To Transfer A Domain
Why Do People Transfer Domain Names
There are plenty of reasons one might become disgruntled with ones current registrar and choose to switch to another. After all, not all registrars are created equal. Most will offer packages that include different features, with different prices and different levels of reliability. Some offer superior customer support, while other user interfaces are easier to navigate.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Purchase A Domain Name
Let Google Know About Your New Address
OK. Youve moved and unpacked all your stuff, have set up mail forwarding, are living in the new site full time, and are ready to turn in the keys to the old place. You probably even want to throw a housewarming party to let the world know about your new digs.
Assuming youre already using Google Analytics and Google Search Console , you can use the search engines helpful change of address tool to notify the company of the change. Open up your old domains account and follow the steps, including confirming 301 redirects and verification methods.
Google Webmaster Tools provides tools for notifying the search engine of your new domain name and sitemap.
Youll also want to create and upload a new XML sitemap into Googles Webmaster Tools. Yes, that sounds complicated, technical, and time-consuming but we promise its not too bad. Sitemaps, which are basically a table of contents, make it easy for crawlers to see whats on your website and when it was last updated, and index it for search results. WordPress users can unsurprisingly use a plugin to generate a sitemap, or there are several free tools that will create one for you.
Reasons A Domain Name Transfer Might Fail
The domain is locked, pending deletion, in a redemption period or inactive. Domains cannot be transferred for 60 days after initial registration or transfer. They will also not be released if they are the subject of legal disputes, such as over ownership or payments due. So before initiating a transfer, make sure your domain is in good standing and ask your old registrar to remove any domain locks, or log into the control panel and remove them manually.
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Hostpapa Customer Success Stories
“It is my first web hosting services I contracted and everything was so easy and reliable. I am very happy with my choice.”
Daniel Dubreuil, Ottawamintstone.com
“I really appreciate the quality of the services, every time when I have a problem with the system, the response has been very fast to resolve my problem.”
Delices du paradis, St-Amabledelicesduparadis.com
“I started to use HostPapa 2 years ago. I like the unlimited hosting for domain name. I have another 2 host services with other companies, since I started using HostPapa I’ve transferred all of them to HostPapa”
Roger, Torontonaturehealthclinic.com
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June Derksen, Winnipeg
Can Domains Be Altered During Transfer
In a word, no. If the transfer process has yet to be completed, then it cannot be changed. You will not be able to:
- Update nameservers
- Change the WHOIS registration information
- Renew the domain subscription
In order to make any changes during this stage of the process, you need to contact the current hosting provider with a request to cancel the transfer. Otherwise, you must simply wait until the transfer process is complete before making the desired changes.
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Request Site Migration And Provide Website Details
File a migration request with your new web host. Usually all you need to do is to provide login data at your old host hostname, control panel login, and FTP login, etc and your new web host will take care of the rest.
Example: InMotion Hosting
Example: GreenGeeks
Note GreenGeeks site migration service include not just cPanel transfer, but also migration from Plesk platform.
Example: Cloudways
Verify That The Domain Name Is Eligible For Transfer
To make sure your domain name can be transferred, sign in to your current Registrar and check the following:
- The initial registration of the domain name was at least 60 days ago and the domain has been with your current Registrar for at least 60 days:
Per ICANN’s Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars, domains that are less than 60 days old or were transferred between Registrars within the last 60 days cannot be transferred. Please wait at least 60 days before transferring.
- The domain name is not on hold with your current Registrar.
Also Check: Multiple Domains On One Host
Pointing A Domain Vs Transferring A Domain
While both are often used interchangeably, pointing a domain is different from transferring a domain.
When you say pointing a domain, you are merely connecting your domain name to a web host server . That means, your domain name is still hosted by the same provider. Pointing a domain allows you to:
- Take control of your domain name and emails with the external provider.
- Keep your email settings as is on your email client.
You will either need to use the web interface provided by your external provider, or contact the domain name hosting provider to instruct them on how to make changes on your websites DNS settings.
When you say transferring your domain, you are switching to a different domain name hosting. You will then be required to change your email settings on your Email Client on your computer.
Why Transfer To Domaincom
Domain.com is one of the leading registrars in the industry for a reason. We offer the ability to easily manage your domains from a single, user-friendly platform. We also offer a comprehensive set of features for all of your needs under a straightforward pricing structure, with fantastic customer service to boot.
Also Check: Cost Of Buying A Domain
How To Transfer Email Address To Another Provider
Trying to transfer email address to another provider can be problematic. Or, at least, the exact steps are not as obvious at first especially since we usually dont do these things too often.
The good news is that the task is not that difficult to execute. However, there are still specific things that you must do to guarantee a smooth transition and make sure that no emails go missing in the process.
In the following guide, well cover the most common scenario in which users want to transfer email address to another provider.
This guide applies if:
- youre moving your email to a new provider / host
- you want to keep your current domain name, e.g. yoursite.com
- you want to keep the same email address, e.g.
- you want to keep using your old email tool
- you dont want any downtime or lost emails!
Were going to illustrate how to get through the process in cPanel its the most popular control panel in the web hosting industry. Most web hosts use it. If your provider uses something else, well also try to point you in the right direction and help you get through the process.
Lets get started: