Everyone knows how to buy a domain name, but transferring one can be tricky. The process of moving a URL from one provider to another can be somewhat confusing for most folks.
What are the key things to know about transferring a domain name? There are lots of guides out there on the web which explain how to transfer your own domain, but they don’t always cover all of the important aspects. In this article, you’ll find an overview of the most crucial elements to bear in mind.
The good news is that it’s now easier than ever to migrate to a new domain provider. Here are a few steps that can help you make the switch with ease.
1. Why transfer a domain name?
There are plenty of great reasons to transfer your domain name. Either you want to move from one registrar to another, or maybe you have different providers for your domains and web hosting.
It could be that you simply want everything in one place. Your operating costs may have increased. Or your business may have evolved and so should your web presence.
If you’re thinking about transferring your domain name, it’s usually a good decision. In addition to using the same service provider, it allows you to keep all your important account and domain settings. The transfer process itself is completely automated and, if you have any questions, a good web host team will always be available to help.
However, some companies can put up resistance to making these changes because they benefit from you staying with them. Note also that if you decide it’s time to find a new host for your website, there will be some disruption that could take several days.
2. What to consider when transferring a domain name
There are several elements that go into finding a new home or host for your domain name.. Let’s review some of the most vital features.
The host/registrar
The registrar is the intermediary between you and the web host; the management of your domain name is independent of the hosting, as such a good registrar/hosting combination can make a big difference.
If you are looking to transfer your domain name to a new web hosting company, don’t forget to consider the domain name registrar as part of your selection process. Why? It’s a fact of life that finding a good web hosting company can be challenging.
But luckily for you, there are some good and independent web host review sites out there that can help you find the best fit for your needs in each industry.
24/7 technical support
Whether you’re a small business owner or an individual with a personal business site, good technical support is a crucial part of your web hosting experience. Having the ability to access knowledgeable customer support representatives 24/7 should be expected from any web host.
When there are domain name registration issues, website maintenance issues, security concerns or just general website questions, it’s essential to have round-the-clock access to technical support professionals.
A good web host should provide 24/7 technical support. The reason is simple: even a technically seasoned Internet user is going to run into problems with time and needs to call for help on the phone or via 24/7 live chat. A good web host knows this and ensures it’s always available.
Good security
If your web host has an insecure website, your own website is at risk. Your content may unknowingly have been stolen, or someone may be using your IP address to commit cybercrime. A good web host should provide a high level of security and up-to-date cybersecurity best practices.
A good, trusted web host should provide the following elements:
An updated server/website scanner to reveal vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks within days of such updates appearing.
Backups of your website.
24/7 monitoring from a knowledgeable team to recognize and respond to cyberattacks or attempted break-ins.
Immediate notification should an attack be discovered, as well as advice about how to improve security right away.
Rates and overall value
In the fast-paced world of internet technology, nothing is guaranteed except change. So, being able to move from one web hosting company to another with ease (and without charge) is paramount for your business’ online success. Any kind of service that can be provided online should be subject to competition in order to remain valuable.
However, competent web hosting at a competitive rate involves many different factors. There are three main factors to consider: traffic, available disk space, and bandwidth. Hosting rates go up the more you use of these resources. How much you use depends on what kind of site you have.
What exactly do you look for in a web host? Is it uptime, safety or pricing? In any case, these factors certainly play an important role in your decision. But when all is said and done, there’s one factor that trumps them all: value.-
According to experts at https://www.discountdomains.co.nz/domain-transfers, the value would be the only thing a customer cares about when choosing a service to spend their money on, otherwise, they wouldn’t have bought it in the first place.
3. Steps to transferring a domain name
Most people don’t realize that they can transfer a domain name through their web hosting provider. It’s easy to do and the cost is comparable to doing it directly with the domain registrar. You can easily complete the process in about 20 minutes…
Disable your domain lock and get a code of authorization
The Domain Lock feature helps prevent unauthorized transfer of your domain name to a new registrar. If you disable Domain Lock and request a code of authorization, your current provider will send it to you via email.
Start the transfer to your new host
You can do this via your control panel in the dashboard of your preferred new host. There you’ll have an array of options used to manage different aspects of your hosting account, including
Domain Manager and Hosting Manager.
Note that to transfer a domain name to your new host, the domain must be registered at least 60 days prior to the transfer. The 60 days ensures that you have a stable host with current information and also that you can maintain your domain for up to 60 days in case of any errors or issues with the new host transfer process.
Pay for your domain transfer
Whether you are moving your domain or transferring to a new provider, you will need to pay for your domain registrant’s services, as you transfer it over.
On a final note…
If you have decided to transfer your domain name to a new host, make sure to do it before the end of your hosting plan with your current host to avoid losing it. If you do not transfer, the domain will be available for purchase by another person or business via a DNS domain auction.
