There are several reasons why you would need your Name Servers & domain name to be transferred. You may not be pleased with your existing web host or domain registrar, and you would like to move. Or, you could just try to put all your domains under one roof together, making them easier to handle.
Whatever your reason might be, it doesn’t have to be an intimidating process to transfer a domain name. If you have registered your own domain for the first time, then you certainly have the skills to pass the same domain name.
I will guide you through the process of transferring your domain name to a new hosting service below.
Scenarios When You Can’t Transfer a Domain Name
It is important to cover this point before we jump in.
There are some situations where you won’t be able to transfer ownership of a domain. If you have performed any of the following tasks, then for 60 days you will not be able to transfer your domain.
- The domain name you would like to transfer has just been registered or transferred.
- You have just updated the contact organization or domain information.
- You have just updated the first or last name of the contact, without listing an organization.
- Your domain isn’t 60 days old yet.
This has to do with the transfer policy of ICAAN to ensure the safe transfer of domain names and ownership of them.
How to Transfer a Domain Name?
To transfer a domain name, follow the steps provided below. If you switch to another registrar of domain names, you should be in contact with the registrar you are switching to, but these steps will be very similar.
1. Prepare to Transfer
There are a couple of things you will need to do first before you begin the transfer process. To ensure that your domain remains secure, there are a number of protection protocols in place, so you will need to disable these shields to ensure that the transfer process runs smoothly:
- Update your current name servers to represent your new registrar's name servers.
- Disable the privacy of WHOIS if it is currently enabled.
- Make sure you are up to date with your WHOIS and domain contact information.
- Unlock your domain just before the transfer starts.
- Make sure that while the transfer is taking place, your domain will not expire.
- Obtain your code for EPP authorization. Get in touch with the support team at your current domain registrar if you can't find it.
You’re now ready to initiate the transfer of your domain with all of the above steps completed.
2. Starting the Domain Transfer
Enter your domain and the tool will run through the pre-transfer checklist to ensure that all the steps required for registration of the domain name have been completed. You will see a pop-up window if there are any problems, which will show you how to fix each problem before you can proceed with the transfer.
3. Complete Your Purchase
If your domain fulfils all of the above conditions, then you will need to buy your new domain from your current registrar and the transfer processes will begin.
All you need to do if you wish to move to Cloudhostservices is click the ‘Continue to Checkout’ button. You shall accept the terms of service here, create a new account, and make sure that all of your contact details are correct.
Next, click on the button ‘Place Your Order’ and the transfer process of the domain name will officially begin.
4. Verify the Transfer
In the transfer process, the final step is to verify the transfer with an email address. Go to the inbox of the email address that your domain is currently associated with. You will see a verification email where the EPP key will be given.
Enter that authorization code and it will automatically continue with the transfer process.
Common Domain Transfer Issues
There are a couple of common problems that may interrupt the process of the domain transfer. Beforehand, take care of these problems and the transfer process will go off without a hitch:
- You haven’t set up your account at your new registrar. Before you begin the transfer process, make sure that you have chosen a plan and your payment has been received by your new registrar.
- Your contact information isn’t up to date. You will receive a confirmation email that the transfer has begun through your domain-connected email address. Make sure that this is current, otherwise, you’re not going to be able to confirm the transfer and start the process.
- Your domain is still locked. To ensure that your domain is unlocked and ready for transfer, make sure you go through the ‘Prepare to Transfer’ protocols in step one above.
- Your EPP code expired. Generate your EPP authorization code when you’re about to start the transfer process. This is because the EPP code would be valid only for a certain amount of time period.
The domain transfer process will typically take around 7 days. If it has been longer than that, we recommend you contact your current registrar’s support team to see if there are any problems holding up the process.
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