T105 - Transferring Domains from one Registrar to Another
I use Godaddy.com for my domain registration.
Their interface is constantly changing graphically. Their interface is bloated and confusing. Their desire to sell add on products is annoying as hell... So why do I use them?
The first thing I do when I start working with someone who has their website and registration with someone else, is I encourage them to switch to Godaddy. Most not familiar with technology are petrified of making changes, and this is as much about moving them to a known neutral vendor as it is getting them to let go of bad information they may have gained which blurred domain registration and hosting in the firs place.
Their interface is constantly changing graphically. Their interface is bloated and confusing. Their desire to sell add on products is annoying as hell... So why do I use them?
- I use them because they are a large company, and when it comes to domain registration and management, I feel there is safety with numbers. There use to be some horror stories with smaller registrars and transferring. I think most of those are likely non-issues now, but... they give insight into the controlling nature of some in the business and I'd rather work with a larger company on this to remove that mechanism.
- I use them because most everybody recognizes them as a Domain Registrar first and foremost, and that helps cognitively separate the service of Registration from Web Hosting in all conversations. Many of the smaller registrars and webhost blur these lines intentionally to keep and maintain clients over time and I find those tactics very annoying.
- I use them as opposed to reselling domain registration so it's clear I have no financial interest in domain registration providers.
- When I do help others with the registration process, I always setup new accounts for my clients in their name with their payment info. It requires they validate a few confusing emails or that they grant me access to their email so I can.
The first thing I do when I start working with someone who has their website and registration with someone else, is I encourage them to switch to Godaddy. Most not familiar with technology are petrified of making changes, and this is as much about moving them to a known neutral vendor as it is getting them to let go of bad information they may have gained which blurred domain registration and hosting in the firs place.
The Domain Registration Transfer Process -- Step by Step outline...
Below are general instructions for domain registration transfers...
If you are going to transfer your registrar, i'd suggest doing it prior to setting up GSuite. If you do it after you may need to configure your own MX Records.
Google "domain transfer to godaddy" or comparable to get current instructions. Godaddy had a 3 minute video which was helpful to get oriented.
- Login to current registrar
- Unlock Domain (which enables transfer)
- Verify correct contact info for all 3 domain contacts (owner, billing, technical). Put your info in there if it isn't there. You can change to otehrs again later.
- You will be sent an email to verify new contact info. click on that link to confirm changes
- From your current registration console find the EPP Key/Code (aka {transfer} authorization code) and cut and paste that somewhere you can retrieve later.
- Go to your new registrar and figure out how to start the transfer process on their end. With godaddy, it starts by purchasing a Domain Transfer (as if it was a product/service from their shopping cart).
- Wait on a few emails from Godaddy. Eventually you will receive an email that has a transfer ID and security Code in it. Click on the link in that email, past those codes in and continue.... and then it will ask you for your authorization code, and that is where you will enter that EPP code from the registrar you are leaving...
- Submit that and you should get updates related to the transfer. The last one I did only too an hour or so.
If you are going to transfer your registrar, i'd suggest doing it prior to setting up GSuite. If you do it after you may need to configure your own MX Records.
Google "domain transfer to godaddy" or comparable to get current instructions. Godaddy had a 3 minute video which was helpful to get oriented.