Most clients go about purchasing a domain through the first or easiest avenue they find. A simple search for URL availability, followed by a few clicks, and you can have your chosen online real estate within seconds.
But what if you decide later that you want to transfer the ownership of your domain? Whether you’re looking to sell a coveted URL or transfer ownership to a new member in your organization, it’s essential to have control over it.
First and foremost, let’s talk about the relatively simple process of transferring your domain to a new registrar.
It’s important to note before you get started that there are certain restrictions when transferring a domain. That’s why we encourage you to verify all of your information 60 days prior to the necessary transfer date. Most sites provide a step-by-step process for transferring your domain.
With over 71 million domains produced through GoDaddy’s registrar, we will use their standards as an example. For this registrar, you cannot complete a transfer to a new register for 60 consecutive days after completing one of these events:
You also are not eligible for transferring your domain for ten days after changing the domain’s ownership from one GoDaddy account to another.
These restrictions are fairly similar across the board. However, if you are registered through a separate registrar, reach out to a representative if you have any questions regarding restrictions specific to them.
Before you begin the process, you will want to make sure that all of your information is up-to-date. This includes the administrator’s contact information. Most of the transfer process will include e-mail correspondence, so double-check to ensure that the information on file is accurate.
Domains are locked for security purposes, keeping them safe from being transferred to another registrar or account without your permission. With that said, you will want to unlock your domain before initiating the transfer.
This can be done relatively simply by logging into your account and going into your management settings. If your domain is registered with GoDaddy, you can click here for a step-by-step guide on how to initiate this process. If you are registered with a different company, please inquire with their customer support for a more specific guide.
When you purchase a URL through a process of adding to your purchase package. These add-ons may include protected or private registrations which don’t extend beyond the registrar you purchased it through. You will have to cancel any of these protection packages and repurchase them through your new registrar once the transfer is complete.
Once you’ve completed the initial preparations, you will want to retrieve an authorization code from your new registrar. This code is called an EPP code.
Keep in mind that country-code top-level domains (ccTLD’s) may not require an authorization code. In this case, you can skip this step.
After you’ve gained your authorization code, you can initiate the transfer through your new registrar. This process differs from registrar to registrar, so make sure you refer to their procedure for specific instructions.
During this process, you will need to accept or deny the transfer through an email submitted to the address on file under the administrator. Keep in mind that you must complete this step within 5 days of submitting it or else the request will expire.
Once you accept, you should receive an email confirmation that your transfer is complete.
If your website is the home of your business, then your domain is the key.
When finding a suitable domain for your business, it’s important to keep the consistency of your brand. You don’t want to risk losing your domain so it’s crucial you learn the basics of how to administer your domain.
When you’re not in control of your domain, sneaky web developers can take your website hostage – causing you to pay higher prices for poor quality service.
It’s the ugly side of the business, but unfortunately, it can happen. Too often, employees register domains in their name. If they’re terminated from the company, the domain credentials rest in their white-knuckled grip.
No one wants to be in that position, and that’s why we always suggest having control of your domain.
At Vectra Digital, you always have control of your domain, even if we’re the ones to create it. When you choose our team to create your domain, rest assured that you will always have access to the account. We create accounts in the client’s name, under unique credentials that are shared with the appropriate team members. After the domain creation, Vectra Digital signs on as a manager of the account to complete the services the client requires.
Our team operates with transparency so that you never have to question your control. Choosing a reputable company is vital to the success of your website—and we want you to succeed!
In fact, a strong domain authority can build your website’s credibility.
After all the struggle of acquiring a domain, why would you transfer it?
Rest assured that you’re not relinquishing the keys to your business – you’re just giving another agency liberty to ensure your data is secure and that your website is updated regularly. Many companies choose to keep everything in one spot. When you choose a trusted agency, hosting, domain name ownership, and management are done under the same roof, minimizing the hassle.
It also reduces the risk of a cyber attack. The Internet is a vulnerable place. Sources say cybercrime damages will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, which is more than double the cost from this year alone.
Hosting your website on a secure server is your first line of defense of security. The truth is any website can easily become the next target of mischievous or malicious activity. You don’t have to be a major corporation or high-profit business to become a victim of virtual intrusions. It can, and has, happened to all kinds of websites.
Some hackers do it just for fun, even though the results of such activity can be a headache or even catastrophic to the website. The best thing a website owner can do is to make sure that their webpage is hosted by a safe and secure server that is vigilantly maintained and quick to respond.
We have members of our technical team who are specifically devoted to keeping your site updated with the latest modifications to our maintenance and security programs. Vectra Digital ensures that your domain is protected.
Vectra Digital is a digital marketing company based in Fort Myers, Florida. With a diverse team of specialists in website design, development, reputation management, SEO and more. We offer marketing and branding solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries. For more information about our services, please call our headquarters at 239-234-2566, or contact us directly from our website.
