When your landlord becomes difficult to deal with, you move. Your trigger can be anything from increased rent to poor repair support. The same goes for your website domain – is your current domain provider becoming difficult to deal with? Should you transfer domain ownership?
If you’re asking yourself these questions, this blog is here to help. From whether you should transfer your domain to a new host to how to transfer domain ownership, we cover all the pressing questions.
When Do You Need to Transfer Domain Ownership
Security
Your digital front door needs to be unassailable – and that’s non-negotiable. In fact, studies show that 60% of companies affected by a security breach are likely to go out of business due to reputational damage.
In case you suspect that your website has been breached and you’re no longer in total control over it, it may be time to move the domain to a new host. This time, when you transfer domain ownership, check to make sure that your new registrar offers 360-degree website security against potential cyber threats.
Customer Service
Website glitches are unavoidable; and when they happen, you need reliable support.
A stitch in time saves nine (thousand). When customer support does its job well and helps you fix little bugs in a timely manner, you don’t have to face an unmanageably big problem later. Small points like locked domains, technical concerns, or even doubt resolution – accredited domain name providers have uber-responsive and knowledgeable staff at your service.
But if your current registrar fails to come through with the needful, it may be time to transfer the domain to another registrar.
User Experience
When you partner with a registrar, it’s natural for you to expect them to do all the heavy lifting.
“I am trapped in a jargon-filled world”, “This UI is confusing and frustrating”, “It’s a small change but it’s taking me hours to figure out!”
Is your current provider making you feel lost? If yes, that’s not a good user experience. In fact, your journey of choosing a domain starts here.
A good domain provider has features and settings that are made for non-tech business leaders. Transfer domain ownership to a registrar that makes you feel like a powerful website wizard.
Privacy
Privacy matters aren’t restricted to just you and your business – your customers’ data is valuable, too. From business records to personal data, there is a lot to steal and misuse. That data is your Achilles heel, so we suggest putting a lot of thought into your shoes.
The right shoes give you plenty of freedom while protecting your vulnerable points. You shouldn’t have to compromise on privacy, and neither should your customers. If you feel like your current provider might not be fully transparent when it comes to data privacy, transfer domain ownership immediately.
Cost
“Want to use this basic feature? Pay up!”, “We did not initially reveal these extra costs, but we’re telling you now”.
Hidden charges – mankind’s worst enemy.
They might not even be a lot, but it’s a matter of principle. If you face this betrayal from your provider, you know it’s time to transfer your domain to a new host.
In some other cases, the domain costs start off alright, but they suddenly shoot up later. Or maybe, you were able to afford the costs before, and now you need more affordable options.
Whatever the case may be, you should move your domain to a new host without further delay.
How to Transfer a Domain to A New Host
Now that you’ve gone from “Should I transfer domain ownership?” to “How to transfer domain ownership?”, we’ll look at the process.
Buy Domain
Start by picking an available domain and staking your claim on it. This is the step where you prepare your domain for transfer.
You can’t transfer something that you don’t own – so you’ll need to unlock/buy the domain to kickstart the transfer process. You’ll also need the auth/EPP code from your current registrar. It’s a kind of password that disallows hackers from wrongly transferring your domain name.
Start Transfer
To transfer the domain to a new host, you’ll begin by creating an account with the new provider. Then, enter the domain name and enter the auth code from the previous registrar to start the transfer process.
Approve Transfer
To approve the transfer of the domain to another registrar, you will be asked to confirm your contact details.
At this stage, the new provider may prompt you to make a payment to successfully transfer domain ownership.
Transfer Accepted
Once the transfer is confirmed, the old registrar releases your domain. Your new provider might take a few business days to complete the process.
But in the meantime, your domain and website should remain functional.
Points to Consider Before Transferring Domain to Another Registrar
Domain Transfer Eligibility
Verify that you are eligible to move your domain to a new host. Different registrars have specific transfer policies, so it’s crucial to check this beforehand.
Create an Account with New Registrar
You cannot send a Facebook friend request with a LinkedIn account.
Similarly, you cannot use your account with the old domain provider to transfer your domain to a new host – you need to first create an account with the new provider.
Don’t Renew Domain from Old Domain Provider
ICANN’s latest rule states that if you renew your domain with your previous provider, and then try to transfer the domain to another registrar within 45 days, you will lose credit for the renewal.
Conclusion
By now, you might’ve figured out if there is a real need to transfer your domain to another registrar. And if there is, you’ve seen how you can make that domain transfer like a pro. But if you’re like us, you still have a few questions floating around in your mind. They’re basic and you’re too afraid to voice them.
This isn’t highschool – so we really mean it when we say that no question is too small.
Want to flex on your entrepreneur pals with updated info? Read the questions they’re most commonly asking about how to transfer a domain to another registrar.
Domain Transfer FAQs
Should I back up my website before transferring my domain ownership?
Absolutely. Before making any significant changes, always back up your website to ensure you have a copy of your data.
Is a domain transfer the same as a website migration?
No, it’s not. A domain transfer is like changing the owner’s name on a house deed, while website migration is like moving the entire contents of the house to a new location.
Can I transfer an expired domain?
Once expired, the domain enters a grace period – typically of 30-45 days. In this period, you can move the domain to a new host. But once this period is up, it is no longer eligible for transfer.
Is transferring a domain easy?
While it is easy to transfer domain ownership, depending on the registrars and their criteria, it can be time-consuming.
If you have any queries or suggestions feel free to send an email on [email protected]
