Transfer domain: How to successfully transfer your domain

You operate a website and want to move your domain to another provider? A domain transfer can help you save costs, receive better service, or manage all your existing domains in one place. But how does the provider switch work exactly? What are the pitfalls? And what do you need to do to ensure everything goes smoothly? In this guide, you will learn step by step what to consider when transferring a domain.

Note: Here we handle the transfer process of ICANN domains. If in doubt, contact the registrar you trust to learn about the different procedures for each domain extension.

What exactly is a domain transfer?

A domain transfer means transferring a domain from your current provider (registrar) to another provider. The domain remains in your ownership - only the management changes. The transfer is a standardized process that can take different lengths of time depending on the domain extension. However, certain preparations and steps are critical to ensure that the switch does not affect your website or hosting.

Why transfer a domain?

There are many reasons why website owners may want to migrate a domain:

• Cost savings - Some alternative providers may offer cheaper conditions for domain management and renewal than the old provider.
• Better service - A new registrar may offer better support, additional security features, or a more intuitive management interface.
• Centralisation - If you own multiple domains, it may be beneficial to manage them all with a single registrar to have full control over all domains from one platform.
• Disatisfaction with the current registrar - If you are unhappy with the service or prices of your current provider, a switch can also be a good solution.

How does a domain transfer work exactly?

A domain transfer consists of three phases: preparation, transfer process, and follow-up. To ensure a smooth transfer of your affected domain(s), you should consider the following steps.

Preparing for the transfer

Before you start the actual transfer, you should check some points:

• Check the Transfer Conditions: In most cases, you can only transfer a domain 60 days after registration, a change of ownership, or a previous transfer. This lock is set by the registry and cannot be lifted by the provider.
• Check Your DNS Settings: For a productive domain, DNS records must be set up with the new provider before initiating the transfer, as the provider will delete the zone on the nameserver of the old provider during the transfer. Only if you have your own nameservers or use an external provider, the nameservers will not change.
• Disable the Transfer Lock: Many domains are protected against transfers by default. You can lift this lock in the customer portal settings of any registrar.
• Verify Your Contact Details: Also, ensure that your email address is up to date as the domain owner, as you will receive confirmation emails during the transfer process.

The Actual Transfer Process

Once the preparation is complete, the actual domain transfer process begins. The following four steps need to be completed:

• Requesting the Domain Transfer - Submit a transfer request to your old provider and request the transfer code (AuthCode). This code is necessary to authorise the provider switch later on.
• Authorisation with the New Registrar - Upon receiving the AuthCode, authenticate yourself with it to your new provider (the future registrar) and confirm the transfer request.
• Forwarding the Transfer Request to the Registry - The new registrar forwards the transfer request to the relevant registration authority. The registry then notifies the current provider and requests their approval for the transfer. If this approval or objection is not received within a 5-day period, approval is automatic.
• Completion of the Transfer – The registry confirms the transfer to the old and new registrars, officially completing the move, and your domain is now managed by your new provider.

Post-Transfer Follow-Up

After a successful transfer, you should check a few final points to ensure that your transferred domain is fully functional and secure:

• Reactivate the transfer lock: To prevent unwanted transfers of your domain(s), you should re-enable the lock.
• Check your contact information: As part of the domain transfer, the data you provided when ordering will also be transferred. Nevertheless, it is worth checking your WHOIS data again and updating it if necessary.
• Contact support if necessary: If something is not working as expected, contact your new registrar's support immediately.

Is a domain transfer secure?

A domain is the heart of your online presence and therefore particularly valuable. For this reason, you should consider some security measures during the transfer:

• Safely store the Auth Code - Only provide the Auth Code provided by your old provider to your new registrar and protect it from any third-party access.
• Activate transfer lock before/after the transfer - This security measure prevents unauthorized transfers.
• Use WHOIS privacy protection - If your new registrar offers WHOIS protection, you should activate it to protect your personal data.

Common issues and their solutions

A domain transfer usually goes smoothly, with obstacles being rare. Here are some common problems and their solutions to ensure a successful domain transfer:

• Incorrect Auth Code: If your transfer is rejected, first check if you have received the correct authentication code from your current registrar.
• Transfer lock still active: If the transfer itself fails, make sure you have deactivated the lock in the domain settings.
• Domain too new for transfer: If your domain was recently registered, you must wait a 60-day period before you can transfer the domain.
• Domain expiration approaching: If your domain is about to expire, you should renew it before the transfer to avoid issues. If the existing term is too short, problems may arise during the transfer.

How much does a domain transfer cost?

The costs for a provider switch vary depending on the domain extension:

• Paid Transfer: For many generic domains (e.g. .com, .net, .org), the transfer includes a one-year extension that is chargeable, even if no fee is charged for the transfer itself.
• Free Transfer: Some country-code domains (e.g. .ch, .at) allow for a free transfer, with the remaining term of the existing contract preserved.
• Special Cases: Some registries (e.g. .ai) impose a one-time transfer fee without extending the duration of the current contract agreement.

Domain Transfer Made Easy

A domain transfer can help you save money or get better service or more features. By following the steps and requirements outlined here, your transfer should proceed smoothly. And if anything goes wrong, there is almost always a simple solution.

The Domain Offensive is here to assist you with your domain transfer. With our extensive experience in domain management, our Service Team will guide you through every step of the transfer process, ensuring a fast and secure transaction. If you have any questions about transferring domains or need any other assistance, we are always ready to help!