All websites are registered under a domain name, which helps users find the website. Thus, it is important to ensure that the registered domain name is unique to each registrant and website owner.
However, sometimes website owners have to do a domain transfer process due to a variety of reasons:
- Lower-priced domains become available
- Better services provided by different registrars
- To enhance security and privacy practices
- To enhance user experience for the customers
- Requirement of same web host and registrar
Nonetheless, the domain transfer process comes with risks and potential downtime, which can lead to revenue loss and frustrated website visitors. But, with some best practices and strategies, the risks associated with domain transfer can be mitigated and avoided.
If you want to know more about avoiding downtime during a domain transfer, you are in the right place. Mentioned below are some steps you can follow to ensure minimal interruption of the services running on the domain:
Domain Transfer Process: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the whole process of domain transfer and the steps involved is essential for having better control over it and making more informed choices during the procedure.
It involves four major steps, including:
Step 1: Confirm Contact Information
As a first step, you need to ensure your existing domain name is still valid and all the contact information is accurate. In case you have enabled domain name privacy, you will have to disable it to begin the transfer.
Additionally, depending on your new domain hosting provider, you will be required to update your nameserver.
Step 2: Unlock the Domain
After finalizing the nameserver, you will get your new domain. However, the new domains are locked by default, and you will be required to unlock them. They are locked as a precautionary measure to ensure they are not deleted or modified by mistake.
Step 3: Initiate domain transfer
After unlocking your new domain, you can initiate the domain transfer. Some steps may change depending on the host, but the basic process remains the same. You can begin the transfer process by entering the authorization code.
The transfer process may take a couple of days. You will receive a notification once the process has been completed. During the domain transfer process, you should be able to access your domain from the old web host.
Step 4: Approve the Domain Transfer Registration
The last step is to get approval for the transfer domain registration. Both registrars, old and new, need to approve the transfer. Once approved, your website is successfully moved to the new host and registrar.
When Should You Initiate Domain Transfer Process?
Once you have understood the entire transfer process, you must pick the right time to transfer and minimize the downtime. It is not advisable to initiate domain transfer during peak traffic hours.
Spend some time with your website performance data and analytics to determine your website’s peak traffic hours. Schedule the domain transfer during night hours or off-peak hours to minimize downtime’s impact on your business and customer experience.
Things to Keep in Mind Before and After Transferring Your Domain
Before you start with the domain transfer process, you must factor in the following to avoid any complications:
1. Create a Full Backup of Your Website
This is very important and will ensure nothing is lost during the domain transfer process. Although domain transfers do not affect the website’s files, databases, and configurations it is advisable to precautionary measures.
Additionally, a complete database will also help you to restore your website quickly in case something goes wrong during the transfer process.
2. Maintain Current Hosting and DNS Settings
Maintaining current hosting and DNS settings is one of the most effective ways to avoid downtime. This setting will ensure that your website is accessible on the old domain name while the website is being transferred. This can be done through:
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Update DNS Settings at the New Registrar
Ensure that the new registrar’s DNS settings correspond to the existing registrar’s before the transfer is finished. This guarantees that the DNS settings are in place before the domain transfer, avoiding any interruption in service.
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Set a Low Time to Live (TTL) Value
TTL is the amount of time that devices store DNS records in their caches. By specifying a low TTL (for example, 300 seconds) before the transfer, you can lessen the chance of downtime by ensuring that any changes made to the DNS records propagate rapidly.
3. Loop in All Your Stakeholders
Make sure the domain transfer is communicated to all relevant parties well in advance. Usually, the IT department, web designers, web developers, social media managers, and more will be on the list of your stakeholders.
Everyone will be able to plan and take prompt action in the event of any unanticipated events or technical issues during the transfer process if they are well-informed.
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind during and after you are done with the transfer process:
1. Closely Monitor the Transfer Process
Do not just initiate the transfer process and remove all your attention from it. Closely monitor the progress and regularly check the website’s uptime, DNS propagation, and email services (if your domain is used for email).
Some domain hosting providers offer various tools to monitor the status and send real-time updates. Regular monitoring will allow you and your time to act quickly in case any issue arises.
2. Set Up a Temporary Redirect
This is one way to prepare for a possible downtime. In case your website does experience downtime during the transfer process, create a temporary redirect to a backup server or a “maintenance mode” page. This will inform the visitors that this is temporary and you will be back in business shortly.
3. Test Thoroughly After the Transfer
After the domain transfer is complete, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is functioning as expected and all your data has been properly transferred. Check for issues such as broken links, missing files, or incorrect DNS settings.
It is also important to test email services associated with the domain to ensure they are working correctly. Any issues should be addressed immediately to avoid prolonged downtime.
In Conclusion
These steps can help you avoid downtime during the domain transfer process. Understanding the process closely, informing all your stakeholders well in advance, choosing an appropriate time to transfer, and more can minimize the risk associated with the domain transfer. Additionally, choosing a reliable and trustworthy hosting provider and registrar is also crucial for your domain transfer and website’s performance.
If you are looking for one such hosting provider, check out Crazy Domains. Our experts can provide you with everything you need to host your website, transfer your domain, manage your website, and much more. We are well known for our 99.9% uptime and 24/7 customer support.
Contact us now and get started!
