The first step to building a great website is choosing an unforgettable name. The competition for domain names is intense, so when you think of a strong name, register the domain as quickly as possible to ensure you get it.
After building out your website, you might decide that you no longer want to stay with the service where you did the initial registration. Don’t worry; there is a way to transfer your domain name from one host to another without permanently losing it.
Your website’s domain name is linked to you (the domain owner) and not to the domain registrar (the company where you registered the domain name). This means you can transfer a domain name from your current registrar to another provider whenever you want. For instance, you can transfer your EasyHosting domain to a different registrar at any time.
In this article, we’ll explain how to properly transfer a domain to a new host so you don’t lose your domain name in the process.
- What Is a Domain Transfer?
- Things to Consider before Starting Your Domain Transfer
- Check Domain Contact Information
- Unlocking Your Domain
- Remove Domain Privacy
- Retrieve Your Authorization Code
- Create an Account with Your New Registrar
- Finalizing Your Domain Transfer
What Is a Domain Transfer?
Before we discuss what a domain transfer is, we have to explain how web hosting works. Web hosting is an online service that makes your website’s content accessible on the internet. When you purchase a hosting plan, you are renting space on a physical server to store all the website’s files and data.
When you first set up your website, you have to choose a domain name, which will act as the website’s digital identity, allowing people to access it easily. A domain name usually consists of a website name and a domain extension such as .com, .ca, .org, etc. Many web hosting companies offer domain registration as well.
EasyHosting lets you register your domain name and get web hosting all in one package. While we hope you’ll never feel you need to, you can transfer your EasyHosting domains to another registrar. Whatever the reason may be, you can easily transfer your EasyHosting domain to whoever you wish from the Domain Manager home page.
Things to Consider before Starting Your Domain Transfer
There are a few things you’ll need to do before you initiate the domain transfer. This will help ensure that your transfer is completed successfully without any issues.
- Ensure your contact information is up to date.
- Unlock the domain.
- Remove domain privacy.
- Retrieve your transfer code (EPP).
Check Domain Contact Information
The most important thing to check before transferring your domain is that your contact information is up to date, especially your domain email address. Your email address will be used to verify the transfer by both the new and old registrar. If your email address isn’t up to date, the transfer will fail.
Note: If you update your domain contact email address, your domain name will be locked from transfers for 60 days. Additionally, if you’ve already conducted a transfer, you must wait 60 days before starting another one.
This is a safety device required by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to protect domains from theft. This prevents a malicious actor from accessing your account, updating the email address, and transferring your domain without your knowledge.
Unlocking Your Domain
A domain lock, often referred to as a “Registrar Lock” or “Transfer Lock,” is a security feature that helps protect your domain name from unwarranted changes, including unauthorized transfer attempts.
When a domain is locked, certain actions are restricted, including:
- Transferring the domain name to another registrar
- Updating your contact information
- Altering certain domain settings
This feature is crucial for preventing domain hijacking, where an attacker attempts to transfer your domain without your permission. It also safeguards against accidental changes that might affect your domain’s stability.
The option to unlock your domain would be found under the Security or similar heading in the domain dashboard. If you own multiple domain names with the web host, you’ll need to go to the specific domain name that you want to transfer.
Remove Domain Privacy
Domain privacy, often referred to as WHOIS privacy, is a service that helps protect your personal information from being publicly accessible in the WHOIS database. When you register a domain, ICANN requires registrars to collect your contact information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address. This information is then made publicly available through the WHOIS directory, which anyone can search.
Domain privacy works by masking your personal information in the WHOIS directory. Instead of displaying your personal contact details, the registrar’s information or the information of a privacy service provider is shown.
In many cases, domains may be transferred even if WHOIS privacy services have been enabled. However, some registrars may prohibit the transfer if the WHOIS privacy service has been enabled, so be prepared to remove domain privacy if necessary.
Retrieve Your Authorization Code
When transferring your domain from one web hosting service to another, you need an EPP or authorization code. This code protects your domain from being transferred by an unauthorized party. Your new registrar will need this code to initiate the transfer.
A domain EPP code, also known as an authorization code, auth-code, auth info code, or transfer code, is a unique string of characters assigned to a domain name by the registrar.
You can request this auth code from your current registrar in your domain manager dashboard. The code will likely be sent to your main contact email address. This is the address on the domain contacts, not necessarily the email associated with your account.
Create an Account with Your New Registrar
After obtaining your authorization code from your previous registrar, you’ll want to set up an account with your new service.
As soon as you enter the authorization code, you’ll be contacted by both your old registrar and your new provider. You’ll be asked to confirm your contact info and officially verify the transfer request.
Finalizing Your Domain Transfer
The domain transfer typically takes 5—7 business days to complete. You’ll receive a notification email from your new registrar once the transfer is finalized. While your domain will continue to operate normally during the transfer period, you may be unable to update the DNS records or renew the domain until the transfer is fully processed.
Don’t deactivate your old registrar service until the new account with your current registrar is running and your domain is fully transferred.
When you’ve confirmed that everything works, cancel your old service so you’re no longer being charged.
Conclusion
Transferring a domain to a new web hosting service is a relatively simple task. While the transfer process can vary from registrar to registrar, if you follow the steps laid out above, you’ll be able to transfer your domain successfully without any trouble.
At EasyHosting, we are here to help with expert online guidance and support for very small businesses. If you are looking to transfer a domain to EasyHosting, follow our step-by-step guide.
For more information on web hosting, domains, website building, email services, and more, please email us at support@easyhosting.com or call us at 1-888-390-1210.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to transfer a domain to a new host?
Typically, the transfer process takes between 5 to 7 days. However, the exact time can vary depending on your current and new registrars. Make sure to scrutinize your email regularly during this period, as some transfers may require additional confirmation steps.
Will my website go offline during the domain transfer?
No, your website shouldn’t go offline during the transfer as long as you keep your old hosting service active until the transfer is complete.
Do I need to transfer my hosting and domain at the same time?
No, you don’t need to transfer both at the same time. Domain transfers involve only the domain name registration. Hosting and website files are separate and can be moved independently of the domain name transfer process.
What happens if my domain expires during the transfer?
If your domain is close to expiration, it’s highly recommended to renew it before starting the transfer process. If the domain expires mid-transfer, the process could fail, and you might temporarily lose access to your domain.
Can I transfer a recently registered domain?
No, ICANN regulations require that domains be at least 60 days old before they can be transferred.
How do I know if my domain is locked?
Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You can look at your domain’s lock status by logging in to your current registrar’s dashboard.
What is an authorization (EPP) code, and where can I get it?
An Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) code, also known as an authorization code, is a unique identifier used by domain registrars to confirm a transfer request. You can obtain this code by logging into your current registrar’s account and requesting it through their domain management section.
What is a Domain Name System (DNS)?
DNS translates human-readable domain names (www.yourdomain.com) to machine-readable IP addresses (for example, 192.0.2.44). You can switch the DNS settings before the transfer if your new host supports it. Transferring DNS records needs to be done separately from a domain name transfer.
Can I transfer a domain that has WHOIS privacy protection enabled?
This varies, but you’ll most likely need to temporarily disable WHOIS privacy protection before you initiate a transfer. Privacy protection hides your contact details, and since the transfer process requires email confirmation sent to the domain’s administrative contact, privacy protection must be turned off.
Is it free to transfer a domain?
Typically, no. Many times, the losing registrar will charge a flat fee for the transfer. All registrars will charge you a registration fee when your domain is up for renewal.