How to Transfer a Domain Registrar and Pitfalls to Avoid When Doing So

If you only have one or two domains, and you are not engaged in domain trading, then a domain registrar can seem like a commodity. They’re just a place to hold your domain registry. But in some ways, your domain registrar matters a lot. Here’s a list of ways that your domain registrar matters. If your domain registrar is dropping the ball in any of these ways, you may consider a transfer.

• Renewal Reminders This is the most important function of a domain registrar. If you fail, for any reason, to renew your domain’s registration, you could lose it. A good registrar will take pains to make sure you are aware of when your renewal is due and how to renew it.
• Domain Renewal Cost Registrars all pay ICANN the same fee to renew a domain, but they are allowed to charge customers whatever they want to fulfill that function. Domain renewals generally cost between $10-$20 per year, but can be more if you’re using a specialty domain like, .blog or .design. Renewal fees can be much higher if your domain is considered a premium domain. In this case renewal fees can be thousands of dollars. Many offer very low promotional prices but then jack their prices up after. Keep an eye on these fees and if they seem too high, shop around for a better one.
• Security Your domain registrar should offer domain locking (a feature that prevents unauthorized domain transfers, domain hijacking) and two-factor authentication.

Transferring a domain registrar is the process of moving your domain name from one registrar (e.g., GoDaddy) to another (e.g., Epik). If done correctly, this process should have minimal impact on your website’s operation, but there are nuances to consider. Here’s how transferring a domain registrar can affect your website:

• Downtime: Ideally, when transferring a domain between registrars, there should be no downtime for your website. The website and email services should continue to operate as usual, provided that the domain’s nameservers and DNS settings remain unchanged during the transfer.
• DNS Settings: If you’re using the original registrar’s DNS services (for example, if they also host your website or email), you’ll need to ensure that the new registrar has the same DNS settings before the transfer. If DNS settings aren’t replicated correctly at the new registrar, it can result in website downtime or email delivery issues.
• Domain Locking: Before transferring, the domain must be unlocked at the current registrar. Domain locking is a security feature that prevents unauthorized domain transfers. Once the transfer process begins, the domain will usually be locked at the new registrar until the transfer completes.
• Domain Expiry: When you initiate a transfer close to your domain’s expiration date, there’s a risk the transfer might not complete before the domain expires. To avoid potential complications, it’s recommended to start the transfer well in advance of the domain’s expiration.
• Email & Subdomains: If your domain’s MX records (for email) or any subdomain settings are set at the domain level and you change your DNS settings during the transfer, it can affect email delivery and subdomain accessibility.

SSL Certificates: If you have a Security Socket Layer Certificate (SSL) associated with your domain, ensure it remains valid and properly configured after the transfer. In some cases, especially if your certificate is tied to your hosting or registrar, you might need to re-issue or reinstall the certificate.

Transfer Duration: A domain transfer can take several days to complete. During this period, you might not be able to make certain changes to the domain settings.

Transfer Lock: After transferring a domain to a new registrar, there’s typically a 60-day lock period during which you cannot transfer the domain again. This is an ICANN rule for many TLDs.

Administrative & Billing Changes: After transferring, any administrative or billing tasks related to the domain will need to be conducted at the new registrar.

Renewal Date: When you transfer a domain, most TLDs require at least one year of renewal to be added to the domain’s registration period. This means that the expiration date of your domain will usually extend by a year from its current expiry date, regardless of the original expiry date at the old registrar.

Step 1. Unlock the Domain: Log into the current registrar’s dashboard, and make sure the domain is unlocked. Most domains have a “lock” feature for security. This prevents unauthorized transfers.

Step 2. Get the Authorization Code (EPP Code): Every domain has a unique Authorization Code, often referred to as the EPP code or transfer code. Request or obtain this code from your current registrar. This code provides an extra level of security for domain transfers.

Step 3. Initiate the Transfer on the New Registrar: Go to your desired new registrar and look for an option like “Transfer Domain.” You will be prompted to enter the domain name and probably the EPP/Authorization code you received from the old registrar.

Step 4. Verify the Transfer: After initiating the transfer, the new registrar will send an email to the registered email address of the domain owner to confirm the transfer. Check your email and follow the instructions to verify the transfer.

Step 5. Wait for the Transfer to Complete: Domain transfers can take anywhere from several hours to 7 days, depending on various factors. Both your current (losing) registrar and the new (gaining) registrar will likely send emails notifying you of the progress of the transfer.

Step 6. Check WHOIS: Once you think the transfer is complete, you can check the WHOIS data for your domain. This will tell you which registrar is currently managing the domain.

Step 7. Re-configure Domain Settings: Once the domain has been transferred, make sure to check and configure any domain settings like nameservers, domain forwarding, email settings, etc., on the new registrar’s dashboard.

Step 8. Lock the Domain: Once you’ve verified that everything has been transferred and set up correctly, it’s a good practice to lock your domain again for security purposes.