A Comprehensive Guide on How to Transfer a Domain

Choosing the right domain name can be an important asset in managing your business on a digital platform. Currently, there are domain transfer methods that can help you find or replace a new domain effectively.

Domain name changes need to go through several steps and careful consideration. This guide will go over how to transfer a domain and what you'll need to do it. Check out more information about how to transfer a domain below.

What is a Domain Transfer?

 Domain transfer is the process of transferring a domain name from your current registrar to another. A registrar is the party that registers domain names with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is an international domain regulatory organization.

You need to understand that the registrar is not the same as the hosting provider. Therefore, the transfer method is different from the hosting replacement process. However, it is often found that the hosting provider simultaneously becomes a registrar, or vice versa.

Factors that Affect Domain Transfer

Learning how to transfer a domain is easy, even though the steps are quite long. It is an important thing to do since a domain is a valuable asset for the business. It takes extra security to do the transfer. Hence, only the original domain owner can hand it over to another party.

Therefore, carefully consider the reasons why you want to move a domain. If these reasons fit your needs, you can learn how to transfer a domain. Some examples of common reasons in this case are:

• You are not satisfied with the service from the old registrar, or the price is too high.
• You want to change hosting service providers, which requires you to change registrar.
• You want to change ownership because you have been buying and selling domains.
• The domain has entered the renewal period.

Considerations for Choosing a New Registrar

If you want to learn how to transfer a domain, there are a few things to consider about a registrar. Not all registrars have the same service. Maybe you will find differences in their features or reliability in providing services.

Therefore, consider the following things before you decide which new registrar to choose:

Feature Considerations

Consider what features are available at a registrar. Some of the features that are usually present in the registrar are web hosting, cyber security, or email. If your old registrar doesn't provide the features you need, try to find one that does.

In addition, you can compare the features of each registrar by paying attention to the ease of use, how helpful they are, the additional fees for using the features, and the third parties that work with the registrar to provide these features.

Price Considerations

You will find that each registrar offers different prices. In fact, some registrars may charge extra for a very crucial basic service.

Alternatively, you may find a registrar that offers low fees for the first year, but the renewal fee is much more expensive than the one you are currently using.

Therefore, price can be one of your considerations in choosing a registrar. However, don't make that your only consideration.

Security Considerations

Make sure that the new registrar you choose has security features that ensure a hassle-free transfer process. Some of the security features that you can pay attention to are:

• Transfer locks: A feature that notifies domain owners of the transfer activity.
• Authorization codes: Transfer codes that ensure that the transfer process has permission.
• Confirmation email: A feature that confirms the identity of the party who transferred the domain. 

Requirements to Transfer a Domain

Before learning how to transfer a domain, make sure you meet all of the following requirements:

1. Domain Age: A transfer can only be done if the domain's age has reached 60 days or more. If not, you can wait for it first.
2. Remaining Domain Lifetime: Make sure your domain has not yet reached 30 days or less. This is to anticipate a long transfer process.
3. TLD Domain: Especially for Indonesian ccTLD domains, you need additional requirements such as a photocopy of your ID card, a SIUP/trademark, and PT.
4. Active Domain Owner Email: The email registered as a domain owner or manager must be active and accessible for the transfer process to run smoothly.
5. Unlocked Domains: The domains you want to transfer must be unlocked, active, and not in the process of being deleted. Contact your current registrar's technical team for further assistance.
6. WHOIS Protection Turned Off: Ensure that the personal data protection of domain owners in WHOIS is turned off.
7. Authorization Code Entered: An EPP code, authorization code, or transfer code is used to prove that you are the original domain owner. Contact the domain provider team for your authorization code.
8. No Legal Issues: The domain you are using has no legal issues, such as trademark rights and so on.

How to Transfer a Domain

After meeting all the requirements, it's time for you to learn how to move your domain. If you don't know how to properly do it, follow the steps below.

Updating Contact Information

During the transfer period, you will establish communication with the old registrar as well as the new registrar. Sometimes, the contact information registered in the old registrar's control panel still uses the old contacts.

The first way to transfer a domain is to make sure the contact information in the old registrar's control panel has been updated so that the communication process runs smoothly.

Unlock Domain

The default setting of any registrar is to lock the domain to avoid accidental changes or deletion. If the domain is locked, you can go to the control panel and look for the "unlock domain" setting.

Each registrar has a different display of settings, but you can usually find these settings in the "Domain" or "Security" menu. Once the domain is no longer locked, you can start the transfer process.

Request Authorization Code

The authorization code is used as proof that you are the original owner of the domain. Only the owner of the authorization code is allowed to transfer the domain. You can request an authorization code from the old registrar and give it to the new registrar.

After making a request, an authorization code will be sent via email, and you must immediately provide it to the new registrar as the code is only valid for five days..

Ensuring Domains Meet Transfer Requirements

According to ICANN regulations, domains can only be transferred if they are more than 60 days old. Therefore, pay attention to the age of your domain before making a transfer. Also, make sure your domain has met the requirements mentioned in the previous section.

Creating an Account with a New Registrar

If you have found a new registrar to use, you can immediately create an account at the registrar. Try to search for pages related to domain transfer services and enter the name of the domain you want to process.

Performing Transfer Authorization

Enter the authorization code that you got from the old registrar at the new registrar. Make sure the code you entered is correct. If not, you will have to start the process all over again.

After the authorization code is entered, you will be contacted by both registrars to confirm the transfer request. You will also be asked about contact information and the reason for moving the domain. When the confirmation process is complete, the request will be approved.

Completing the Payment Process

In order for the transfer to be carried out immediately, all you need to do is complete the payment process. Each registrar has a different payment model for its services. Try to find out about the promotions and service packages offered by the registrar.

After the payment is made, the new registrar will process the transfer within a week or less. During the process, your website can still be accessed using the old registrar.

Choose a Private or Public Domain

When the domain has been transferred to a new registrar, you can choose to use a private or public domain. If you choose the public domain, personal data such as names and contacts can be known by others via WHOIS.

As for the private domain, the data displayed in WHOIS is the registrar's data. If you choose this type of domain, maybe you need to prepare a bigger budget because it costs more.

Canceling Previous Domain Service

You need to deactivate the service at the old registrar so that you don't have to pay the service fee again. Even so, first make sure that your domain at the new registrar is operating properly and that the transfer process is completely complete.

Thus, an explanation of how to transfer a domain and its requirements. Also, make sure to have a secure domain such as having a trusted ssl and certification authority

If you are having trouble, try to contact the registrar's service provider for further assistance. You can also use SEO services to get comprehensive website optimization help.