Correct And Timely Domain Transfer - Important Tips For Website Owners
Let's say that many years ago you registered a domain and have remained loyal to the same service provider. But time passes, and the quality of services, prices, and other conditions change, except at your registrar.
So, transferring a domain to a new registrar is a very common procedure that people resort to for various reasons. But the problem is that any mistake here can lead to your website going down, which is very bad, especially if it is your sales tool.
If you are planning to transfer your domain, below you will find many useful tips to help you do everything quickly and correctly. What's more, you will be able to avoid the risks and downtime that cost businesses billions of dollars annually.
Why Transfer a Domain
In simple terms, domain transfer is a change of registrar where control over the domain is taken over by a new service provider. This is a rather complicated procedure that is fully regulated by ICANN and usually takes 5-7 days, so you have all chances to completely avoid downtime.
Since DNS records are not updated instantly (it usually takes about 48 hours), you cannot avoid 404 errors and traffic loss. But if the new registrar offers a lower price with built-in DDoS protection and a better API for integrations, the transfer is worth it.
Key Steps for Transferring a Domain Without Downtime
So, the entire transfer cycle consists of three phases, each with several steps that you need to complete. It usually takes 1-2 weeks, but you will spend no more than 2-3 hours a day on active transfer activities.
Phase 1 - Pre-Start
This is the most important phase, where you need to collect all the important data and unlock the domain so that it becomes available for transfer. Here's what you need to do at this stage:
● Go to your current registrar's dashboard and export all DNS records. You can use tools like dig or nslookup for verification. To avoid disruptions in email correspondence, check SPF and DKIM.
● Go to the domain lock section and disable the lock. Also, disable privacy, otherwise you will not be able to generate an authorization key.
● Obtain the EPP code required to initiate the domain name transfer. Keep in mind that this code is valid for 5-7 days. Keep it in a safe place so you don't lose control of your domain.
Finally, check the age of your domain. Since ICANN prohibits domain transfers within the first 60 days after registration, you may have to wait a while.
Phase 2 - Configuration of the New Registrar
Find a new registrar and pay for their services (it is advisable to choose a provider that supports free transfer to save money). Create a so-called “shadow” hosting by setting up an account and importing DNS records to avoid risks.
In the next step, transfer the DNS records to the new nameservers, but do not change them at the old service provider yet. Ping your domain from different locations to check that it is working and update the SSL certificate.
Finally, it's time to set up 301 redirects in case of delays and perform a full backup of your website. Keep in mind that enabled DNSSEC blocks the transfer, so disable it.
Phase 3 - Transfer Initiation and Monitoring
To start the transfer process, you need to enter the correct EPP code in your new registrar's panel and confirm the operation. You will then receive an approval email from your old operator (usually within 5 days).
Although most of the processes are performed automatically, you should constantly monitor everything using ICANN Lookup or Whois. In addition, use GTmetrix or a similar service to check DNS (propagation takes approximately 48 hours).
Wait until Whois shows the new owner and only then change the NS records. Just follow all of the above recommendations and you will minimize the downtime so that the transfer process is as painless as possible for your web project.
We recommend using reliable, time-tested tools to simplify the process and automate many parts of it. In addition, take a responsible approach to choosing a new registrar (for example, the transfer domain to Spaceship feature allows for quick migration with automatic DNS updates).
Mistakes to Avoid
Not having a well-planned checklist for migration is a big mistake that a lot of website owners make. This can lead to some potential problems:
● Forgetting about email and SSL certificates. If you don't update your MX records, your email won't work. Transfer these records first and update your SSL certificate.
● Failed transfer due to violation of ICANN's 60-day rule. Before initiating the transfer, go to Whois and check the registration date of your domain.
● Traffic dropping due to cache. To solve this problem, clear the CDN and check Google Search Console for any errors.
So, just follow the checklist and you will most likely to easily handle such a routine task as transferring a domain to a new registrar. But if you are not confident in your knowledge/skills or simply do not have time for it, outsource the job.
