Do you Know How to Transfer your Domain Name?

Is it time for you to consider whether or not you need to transfer your domain names? This situation occurs frequently for many people, and with so many new domain names available this can become a perplexing question. Sure, a cheaper new name might be a great idea, but you should always look at exactly what is involved before you make that plunge.

There are times when transferring the domain with its present name makes much more sense. Some web hosts may offer new clients a package plan that includes an updated web design when they transfer. If the price is right, this might be a good plan for you to select.

Renewing the domain name with the original hosting company can also be a good plan but you need to check out all of the particulars first. Sometimes the hosting service has high rates that they charge for the renewal of a particular name. Many people find that they are bound to these rates by a legal agreement. This means that transferring your present domain could once again be your best bet.

Before you attempt to make any of these moves you should always make sure that you know the answers to the following questions:

• Find out whether your domain name is handled through a registrar/reseller. If the answer is “Yes” then you will find that the process is generally much easier to initiate. Resellers of domain names are eager to help you with the change when you are keeping the dealings within the same company network. For instance let’s say that your registrar/reseller works with a company like ICANN. Then you are going to be fine as long as you can find another ICANN registrar/reseller to use. The transfer can become a little more difficult if one of the registrars is an ICANN member and the other is signed under a different company like Network Solutions.

• Make sure that the contact information you have listed for the domain account is updated and correct. The parent company must give their approval whenever you attempt to move a domain. They will look at the email address that is connected to the domain registration. Should you have an out of date or inactive email address on file they will automatically block any type of transfer. Always remember to keep the contact information section current, and check it before you initiate any type of transfer.

• Have you prepared yourself and your site for the time that your business will not be available? Do you know whether or not the migration process for your site includes little to no down time? A transfer can take as much as 72 hours to complete. Set aside some time for the site to be down and let people know that they may see a banner stating “Site under Construction” for a brief time. The length of time involved for the migratory process varies depending upon the company that you are working with. There could even be a hitch in the process that keeps the site from going up as scheduled. Perhaps some sites can weather this without problem, but for some other online businesses this kind of offline time could be the Kiss of Death. It is necessary to arrange your schedule of operations around the transfer down time or let your customer base know what you are doing. If you let your clients know that you will be down for a temporary period of time they will not abandon ship during this process.

• Do you know whether the nameserver data on your account is current and accurate? A quick check ahead of time can save you many problems in the future. After the domain is transferred you have to log on with your new registrar and make sure that everything went smoothly. A backup plan is a good preparation to have on hand. Although you will find that in most cases the information you need is simply moved from the old account to the new one you should take the time to check and make sure.

• Will your present company transfer your domain if it is close to an expiration date? Many people are not aware that some registrars can not initiate a transfer of a domain that only has 15 days remaining before the name expires. This is another key factor that you need to discover before you begin making any plans to transfer your account.

It may seem like a good idea to constantly look for better deals regarding your domain name, but you will come out ahead if you find a package deal that you can stick with. Frequent changes of a domain name can end up causing you more headaches than it is worth. If you are happy with the features, service and price then there is no reason to go shopping just to save a penny or two. The only time a domain transfer should become necessary is when you are not satisfied with what you are receiving for the money. Remember that any time you transfer a domain you will generally end up with a longer commitment. Be sure to find out exactly what the terms of your new agreement will be prior to making a final decision.