The process of transferring a domain name from one web hosting service to another will vary slightly depending on where you purchased your domain and where you’re moving it to. However, the steps generally involve the same process.
For most of the leading web hosting providers, the process will be as simple as logging into the account in which you have registered your domain, confirming your contact info and unlocking your domain. Then, from your new web hosting account, you can initiate a domain transfer, which will automatically process the transfer and finalize it upon your confirmation.
This is how to transfer a domain name from one host to another:
1. Go to your domain and confirm your contact information
To begin, navigate to your domain name and check that your contact information is still accurate. If you have domain name privacy, you will need to turn that off in order to process the transfer. Additionally, depending on your domain registrar, you may also need to update your nameservers to reflect your new web hosting provider’s nameservers.
For example, if you’re moving your domain to HostGator, your nameservers might be:
- ns0000.hostgator.com
- ns1111.hostgator.com
To do this, simply copy and paste the nameservers from your web hosting account to your domain registrar.
2. Unlock your domain name
Domain names are locked by default so that you do not delete or change them by mistake. Therefore, the first step in transferring your domain name to a new host is to unlock it. The option would be found under the Security or similar heading in the domain dashboard.
For instance, this web host service provider gives it under the name of Theft Protection.
If you own multiple domain names with the web host, you will need to go to the specific domain name that you want to transfer.
3. Initiate the domain transfer with your new web host
Next, go to your new web hosting account (or cPanel) and initiate the domain transfer. There may be some variation between the web hosts but the basic process remains the same.
If you are transferring the domain name to HostGator, click on the Transfer Domains option in the Domain menu at the top of the home page.
Enter your domain name and click on Transfer. You will get a list of transfer eligibility criteria.
The process of transferring a domain to HostGator requires an authorization code. You must put in a request for authorization code, or AuthCode, from your existing web host after unlocking that domain. It typically takes up to five days to get an authorization code.
Search for Transfer a domain option in your dashboard. Provide the authorization code and the domain name you want to transfer.
4. Authorize the domain transfer
Next, authorize the domain transfer and relax. It will take a couple of days to process. Once the process is complete, you will get a notification in your email. During the domain transfer process, you should be able to access your domain from the old web host.
Note that the authorization request can take up to a week to be processed. Once you can access your domain from the new web host, you should go ahead and cancel the old one so that you do not have to pay for the service.
