Something to Look Out For when Transferring Domains
On January 6th, I transferred yet another domain away from GoDaddy to NameCheap. I went through the entire process:
- Unlock the domain
- Be sure to "Cancel Privacy Registration" if you've purchased this. (Thanks Paul!)
- Put in the request
- Get EPP code from GoDaddy and submit it to NameCheap.
- Expedite the transfer at GoDaddy.
- Pay the renewal/transfer fee.
- Approve the transfer.
This is an actual checklist I do when I transfer domains from one to the other. I do NOT check off anything until after I've completed the step.
There's wisdom in having such a checklist. I have them for many routines in my life. They work and work well.
Failure to do any of the steps above will result in delays or cancellation of the transfer. I know this well! Been around that block and is why I now keep a checklist every time I do this.
However...
In spite of getting "success" for each step along the way, today I got a notice from WA Hosting that this domain would be deleted as it is no longer using the space. I looked into it.
To my dismay, over a week after I had set this process into action, NameCheap is still reporting the domain has not yet been released!
I was going to put the transcript here, but I thought best that was not warranted, so left it out.
During the discussion, I did tell them why I was transferring away all of my domains, and it was not because of errors. Let's face it: Errors occur in the best of systems!
Today's Lesson:
The "Transfer Out" approval hung up somewhere and the system did not acknowledge it. After a transfer has been processed, it behooves you and me to check on its status every day until it successfully transfers.
Being said that it takes up to seven days for a transfer if this approval is not granted by the user, why, after going on ten days, it's still not released!
I assumed that the process would go through with no issues and now, needless to say, it's not a seamless transfer. Because in the meantime, the domain expired and now I will have to set the DNS that I would not have had to do if the transfer occurred successfully before expiration.
Fortunately, this domain is not in dire need to be active, as my WA campaign is!
Keep a checklist of such transactions, recording every step, as this prevents the accidental omission of any step, but keep an eye on the process whilst it is progressing forth! Sometimes errors occur on their end too!
Recent Comments
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Just to let you know that I moved my domains on ''move your domain day'', and all three went with out a hitch.
Thanks for the useful info, I have been thinking about doing the same transfer for my domains, from GoDaddy to Namecheap, and now I will be using your checklist to do it, as I have never transfered a domain before.
Namecheap takes a little getting used to. It is somewhat harder to get around, but once you do it the first time, it's easier the next time. The next time I do a website (probably very soon, I think I'm going to do a Resource on it so it's easier to follow along. The way they have some things is somewhat obscure, for example, doing the EPP code. It doesn't tell you that you need to open your shopping cart to get to the link where you can submit it, but that's what you do. The rest is pretty straight way. Note that NameCheap has somewhat more safety nets than does GoDaddy and for smooth going, all steps must be completed.
I am now in the process of creating a resource that will walk folks through the entire transfer process from Godaddy to NameCheap.
I did one of my existing domains in GoDaddy and the entire process, from beginning to end, took about a half hour.
Another potential step to add to your list is "Cancel privacy registration". This would go after unlocking the domain name. I've had hangups where the transfer failed because I didn't cancel the domain privacy that I had purchased.
Good to know Paul. I have not been aware of this as I've never purchased privacy for any of my domains. It would be something to do if and when I'm making income above and beyond my basic living needs.
Live and learn. That's how it goes sometimes. I will say I was quite frustrated when I found this. The site is now ready for the switch-over with the DNS. I have been having to work and some of this stuff is now on the back burner.
Thanks Tommy. I will be adding one more step to the list, as Paul above, brings out another item of interest.
It's easy to land behind the eight ball if you are not careful! In this case, I wound up doing more work that didn't need to be done had I been checking on this every day.
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My problem is getting mine transferred from Google Domain over to WA hosting. It's hung in the whois email verification from WA. It took 6 days after I first initiated the transfer to get it to WA's READY mode. Then I clicked the blue 'Transfer to WA' button and waited for the email. It took 6 days and a few reclicks on that button to get the email. So, I verified by clicking the link in that email and sent it off to WA. I thought the ordeal was finally over. ...how wrong I was! it's been 7 days now and the domain is till hung in 'Ready' with the blue trans to WA button still active. I will also be writing support for this step now also. --So, be patient folks when you do yours and buy your next domain straight from WA. The best bang for money. Free email names and privacy all in one.