{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"123 Reg Blog: Small business tips, insight and advice","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog","author_name":"123 Reg","author_url":"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/author\/123-reg\/","title":"Domain Transfer Guide: When to Switch and How to Do It | 123 Reg Blog","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Q2BbiFMAVf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/domains\/how-to-transfer-domain-name\/\">Domain Transfer Guide: When to Switch and How to Do It<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/domains\/how-to-transfer-domain-name\/embed\/#?secret=Q2BbiFMAVf\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Domain Transfer Guide: When to Switch and How to Do It&#8221; &#8212; 123 Reg Blog: Small business tips, insight and advice\" data-secret=\"Q2BbiFMAVf\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.123-reg.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Starting-a-Business-1440x460-1-scaled.jpg","thumbnail_width":2560,"thumbnail_height":818,"description":"Thousands of domain transfers take place every year. If you\u2019re thinking about doing the same, you might be wondering how difficult it all is \u2014 and whether it\u2019s really worth the effort. In this guide, we\u2019ll address these queries and more, to help you work out if you should switch, when to switch, and how to do it. \u00a0 \u00a0 What is a domain transfer? A domain transfer is when you move the domain name you own from one registrar (the company that looks after it) to another. Think of it like switching energy supplier or mobile network \u2014 same name, just managed somewhere else. People do it for all sorts of reasons: better pricing, nicer features, or just wanting everything in one account. \u00a0 When is it a good idea to transfer your domain?\u202f\u00a0 The answer will always depend on your exact circumstances.\u00a0Entrepreneurs and small business owners may start to think about transferring their domain if they\u2019re\u00a0 dissatisfied with their current registrar. \u00a0 However, in cases when you\u2019re not 100% happy, transfers aren\u2019t the only option. It may be that you can simply switch up the product or package you have with your current provider to help with anything that\u2019s not quite working for you. \u00a0 So, it\u2019s always worth contacting your provider to see if they can better meet your needs before you commit. \u00a0 What are the most common reasons for switching providers?\u202f\u00a0 These are a few reasons why domain owners consider transferring their domains, including: \u2610\u00a0 Pricing: A registrar might offer lower renewal, transfer, or management fees, or provide special promotions and discounts.\u00a0 If this is your reason for considering a transfer, be sure to evaluate the total value of the package you\u2019re getting. Look at future renewal and transfer fees and look at what\u2019s included in the price \u2013 for example, is Domain Privacy included in the new plan?\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Better customer support: Some domain owners choose to transfer their domains because they have been disappointed by their current registrar\u2019s level of customer service.\u00a0\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Enhanced features: The new registrar may provide better DNS management, free WHOIS privacy, email forwarding, easier domain management tools, bulk management capabilities, or even other perks like free trials of other web-related tools.\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Consolidation: Entrepreneurs with multiple domains may want to transfer their domains so they can manage everything they own from a single account.\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Improved security: The new registrar may offer stronger security features such as two-factor authentication, better account protection, or improved domain locking mechanisms.\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Reputation and trust: Concerns about the reliability, stability, or business practices of the current registrar may prompt a transfer to a more reputable provider.\u00a0 \u2610\u00a0 Policy or service changes: Changes in terms of service, policies, or the range of supported top-level domains (TLDs) may make the current registrar less suitable.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 What does the domain transfer process involve?\u202f\u00a0 The exact steps can vary slightly depending on the domain extension (like .com, .org, .uk) and the registrar you\u2019re moving from. But in most cases, the process looks something like this: Log in to your account with your current registrar.\u00a0 Make sure your domain is unlocked for transfer. Go to the transfer section in your account. Depending on the domain, you\u2019ll either update a transfer tag or request an authorisation code (sometimes called an EPP code). If you\u2019re given a code, make a note of it. Head over to your new registrar and start the transfer request. Confirm the transfer when prompted. \u00a0 Every registrar uses slightly different wording, but the steps stay broadly the same. If you\u2019re looking for a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your domain to 123 Reg, check out our article: Transferring third-party domain names to 123 Reg \u00a0 \u00a0 How long does a domain transfer take? Transfer times can vary depending on the type of domain. For example, .uk transfers are usually completed almost instantly, while other extensions like .com, .net or .org can take around five to seven days. Delays are rare, but they can happen if details are out of date or if the domain has recently been registered or transferred. \u00a0 Who handles the technical part of the transfer?\u00a0 Most registrars handle the behind the scenes, technical part of domain name transfers.\u00a0 At 123 Reg, our team takes care of the technical side and transfers are completed in five to seven days. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 What happens to your website and data during a domain transfer?\u00a0 A domain transfer is mostly an admin process. It only moves the domain name \u2013 not your website files, databases, or emails. \u2713\u00a0 A quick DNS check\u00a0 If you\u2019re only moving your domain (not your website) from one registrar to another, it\u2019s worth checking your DNS settings first. \u2713\u00a0 Before the transfer\u2026\u00a0 Log in to your current registrar and see where your DNS is managed. Is it on their nameservers (e.g. ns1.registrarA.com) or a third party like Cloudflare (e.g. ns1.cloudflare.com)? Copy all your DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) and save them somewhere safe. \u2713\u00a0 After the transfer\u2026\u00a0 Make sure your DNS settings are either:\u00a0 \u2460\u00a0 Still managed by your original registrar (some registrars let you keep DNS management even if the domain leaves, but not all do),\u202for\u00a0 \u2461\u00a0 Replicated in your new registrar\u2019s DNS manager (if you switch DNS management to the new company).\u00a0 If DNS settings are lost or not set up, your website and email could go down until fixed. Feeling confused by DNS?\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, if you move your domain to 123 Reg, the support team can talk to you about DNS and any further checks and steps you need to go through to ensure the move goes smoothly.\u00a0 If you want to move your website as well as your domain, the 123 Reg Support team can help with this move, too. \u00a0 For more, check out: What is DNS \u2013 How Websites Get Found Online \u00a0 Will my website or email go down during a transfer? In most cases,"}