The hardest aspect of moving your domain to a new registration provider is, like all great adventures, deciding to start the process. The task of transferring your domain can seem like a rather daunting chore but once you decide to take the plunge, Hover can help you get the most out of your domain registration. So first, let’s look at the steps you will need to take to prepare your domain for transfer to Hover.
Things to Know About Transferring Your Domain Name
Before you start your domain transfer, you need to ensure your domain is actually eligible for transfer. If your domain falls into any of the following scenarios, it won’t be eligible to be transferred:
- The domain was registered in the past 60 days.
- The domain was transferred in the past 60 days.
- The domain is in redemption.
- The domain has an unresolved domain dispute.
- It uses a Top-Level Domain that has its own domain transfer rules.
If your domain falls into any of these categories, please refer to our Help Desk. You can begin the process of transferring your domain to Hover after these situations have been resolved or if they do not apply to your domain. Once these steps are taken, your domain is ready to transfer to Hover and our help guide how to transfer a domain to Hover will assist you with this process.
Prep Work for Transferring Your Domain to Hover
The main tasks you need to complete with your current provider in order to make your domain eligible for transfer are:
- Disable your domain transfer lock. You need to obtain your Domain Transfer Authorization Code (also referred to as an EPP code, auth-code, transfer secret, etc.)
- Depending on your domain registration provider, you may also need to disable domain privacy settings.
- Verify your administrative email address for your domain registration records is accurate.
Take note! Before you start your exciting move to Hover, one big point to consider is if you have an active website or email services currently running on your domain. If you do have an active website or email services currently running on your domain and your settings are being managed by the registration provider you plan on migrating from, then we recommend reaching out to our awesome Support Team before starting your transfer to ensure your domain is prepped for transfer and to ensure zero downtime.
When you transfer a domain name between registration providers, your Name Servers migrate during the process. Your Name Servers are responsible for your email services being operational and your website remaining live. A quick check on how your domain is configured is of paramount importance before you initiate your transfer.
Now that we have laid down the groundwork for your transfer let’s look at how to prepare your domain for the move with some popular domain registration providers!
Transferring Your Domain Name from GoDaddy to Hover
1. Disable your domain transfer lock
To unlock your domain in your GoDaddy account, you will first need to go to your Domain Settings page. Once on your Domain Settings page, there will be an Additional Settings section and from here, you can select the Edit option to disable or enable your transfer lock.
2. Obtain Your Domain Transfer Authorization Code
To obtain your authorization code, this will be done once again on your Domain Settings page. Once on your Domain Settings page, you will again go to your Additional Settings section and then click on the option for Get Authorization Code. Your authorization code will be emailed to the email address listed in your administrative email contact listed in your domain registration records.
3. Cancel Protected Registration
To transfer a domain away from GoDaddy, you need to ensure you cancel your WHOIS privacy service first. Luckily this setting is also managed through your Domain Settings page. You will scroll down to your Additional Settings section once again and select the option to Remove Protected Registration.
Once you confirm you wish to Remove Protected Registration, you will be presented with the following message: “We’re removing Protected Registration from your domain. This may take a few minutes” Please note that it can take up to 90 minutes for Protected Registration to be removed from your domain.
4. Verify Contact Information
You should verify your administrator contact information on your domain registration records to ensure you receive notifications pertaining to your domain transfer. To check your administrative contact you will need to first go to your Domain Settings page. From here, you can go to Contact Information and select Edit. To edit All Contacts, enter the Contact, Address, Phone, and Email details you wish to update and select OK. To edit each individual contact, clear the Use for all contact types option and enter the details you wish to update and then select Save.
Take Note! Do NOT update your registration record details for your owner contact, such as your Organization, First Name, Last Name, Email Address, etc. Changing or editing this information imposes a 60-day lock on your domain, which will prevent you from transferring.
Transferring Your Domain Name from Network Solutions to Hover
1. Disable Your Domain Transfer Lock
2. Obtain Your Domain Authorization Code
Once signed in to your Network Solutions account, select the My Domain Names option, which is available under the My Products and Services tab. Once Manage is selected you will see a Details section and you will click on the Turn Off or Request Authorization Code in the Transfer Lock row. Once selected, you will be presented with the option to renew your domain for a special renewal rate if you wish or you can click the option for Continue Transfer. You will need to select Continue Transfer once again. Once you complete the options presented in the drop-down menu, you will click on Request Authorization Code.
Finally, on the next page, you will choose the option next to Leave Domain Transfer Lock Off and check the box for Request Authorization Code and you can then select the Save option. Once saved, it can take 24 hours for your transfer lock to show as disabled and within three days, your authorization code will be issued to your Primary Contact on your Network Solutions account.
3. Disabling Private Registration (if purchased on domain being transferred)
When signed into your Network Solutions account, click on the My Domain Names option located under the My Products and Services tab. Once Manage is selected in the DETAILS section, select the option for Turn Private Registration Off in the Registration- Private Registration Status row. You will need to select the button for Turn Private Registration Off and then select GO.
4. Ensuring Administrative Contact is up to Date
When signed into your Network Solutions account, select the Account Settings tab. Scroll down to the User Profile section, and check that your email address is accurate. If the address is out of date, you can update this by selecting Edit User Profile. While on the Account Settings tab, you can then select the option for WHOIS Contacts. You can place a check next to the domain name being transferred, then click Edit. Select WHOIS Administrative Contact then click the Go option.
Final Thoughts on Transferring Your Domain Name to Hover
In closing, we hope this information helps with transferring your domain name to Hover. While transferring your domain to Hover is a fairly easy process, if you ever feel stuck, please check out our Help Desk for detailed help guides or contact our Support Team directly via live chat, email, or by phone. Let us know what .COM domain you will be moving to Hover, we can’t wait to see how your Hover adventure unfolds!
