Transfer Your Domain Name

In the past, Internet hosts and their clients had the option of choosing from just two kinds of domain names. Today however, we have acquired numerous domain names and realize that they are all over the place. Each domain is held in reserve. All of them are updated with the “latest and greatest” information. They are all aesthetically appealing.

It seems as though everything is in order except for one thing. Each domain is registered under different registrars.

The best and most efficient solution for this is to make a domain transfer. A Domain Transfer is a method of shifting or altering your domain registration from the existing Registrar to a new one.

Before getting into this process, let us refresh of knowledge and get familiar with some of the terminology used

Registrar - A company that registers domain names.
Losing Registrar - The existing registrar of your domain from which you wish to transfer.
Registrant - The owner of a particular domain name.
Domain -An address in cyberspace. It is your custom name on the Internet.
Web host – Gives you server space, web services and file maintenance for websites controlled by individuals or companies that do not have their own web servers (computers that deliver web pages).

Transferring a domain to a different server means that the technical control of the domain name is being moved to a different ISP (Internet Service Provider) or domain host, who allows you to rent or borrow space on very fast hard drives called servers.

Moving Day for Your Domain:

There are various reasons people may wish to transfer a domain. Here are a few that you could think about:

If a registrant has most of its domains at one registrar and a few scattered around other registrars, consolidation may be the reason for transferring domains from one registrar to another.
If a domain is purchased on the private market, some companies require a change of registrar to complete change of ownership.

There may be better security and services at better prices, at another particular registrar.

It may be time to renew your Domain, and so you’re considering a transfer.
If you are not happy with the service or are paying too much for your current web host, and you want to switch to another.
If you have parked your domain name and have now found a web host to upload your site.

Things to Keep in Mind Before a Transfer:

If you are transferring your domain name to another web host, download all the files from your old host to your computer. At times, files may be stored on your host but not on your computer. By doing so, you can ensure that the whole site is copied.
Keep a copy of your files on the old host, while you transfer to another. This way, you won't experience any downtime of your website.
Change the DNS (domain name system) or name server information on the current domain name to that of the new hosting company name servers. You can find this information by going to the domain name registrar (the place where you registered your domain name).
Your domain will take some 1 to 3 days to transmit over the Internet, before it appears on the new hosting company servers.
Shift all files to the new host.
Adjust and check your web site. Make sure that all files have been uploaded from your computer and that your web site appears exactly as it was before.
End the earlier hosting account when you are satisfied with the transfer of your domain name to the new host.

Procedure for a Transfer:

To proceed with a transfer, you will usually be required to follow the following steps:

Check that your new domain name registrar will allow inbound domain transfers, and confirm any fees you may need to pay.
Send the necessary proof of authority to make changes to your domain name and pay the administration fees. Then, wait to verify receipt.
Ask your new domain registrar to request transfer of your domain name and pay any fees due to them.
Within a day or two, the web host receives a request to release your domain name and (subject to the necessary proof of authority and administration fees) will validate the release.
Your domain name will then be transferred to your new domain registrar.

Note – Transferring a domain may seem like a daunting task, but transferring your existing domains to 1&1 Internet is quick and easy. Initiate your domain transfer by simply signing up with 1&1 or at anytime through the 1and1.com Control Panel. Your verification will immediately be confirmed, and they will send you an e-mail containing a link to your identity verification page. With this you’ll be the rightful owner for your domain name.

Formalities of Payment:

The expense of a domain name transfer will vary depending on the transaction. There are no hidden costs to transfer a domain name. Some of the services, to gain your business for future years, will offer low-costs. When you transfer your domain from one registrar to another, your domain is automatically transferred at the central registry and there is usually a fee similar to registration costs for this process.

NOTE:

The above procedure should be followed carefully; otherwise your domain name transfer will not be approved or may not do well. You must also be patient. This procedure can take several days to complete.
Global domain names (gTLDs) such as .com, .net and .org can be transferred to new domain name registrars, but the practice is more complicated than for other domain names and takes quite a few days to accomplish.
You should also note that gTLD domains cannot be transferred in the first 60 days after registration or renewal or before 40 days prior to renewal.
It normally takes 2 -10 business days to successfully transfer a domain.

Whether it is for a private project or a corporate presence, getting the right domain name can be the foundation of your success.

Transferring of domains makes it easy to control all of your domains, using a one-user account. Receiving a billing statement from only one registrar will prove to be a huge relief, and you will save time because there will be no switching from one registrar to another, when retaining the domains.