How to Transfer Domains and Web Sites

I was just reading an article by Perry Chiaramonte “On Eve of Net Boycott, Dump GoDaddy Exodus Begins” with regards to GoDaddy.com originally supporting the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and which CNET gives a great report of how SOPA will affect you.

In the article this guy “Fred” was reported as starting a boycott of GoDaddy:

The call to dump Go Daddy started when one user of popular link-sharing site reddit.com was unhappy with the response he got from the company after writing a letter expressing how uneasy he felt about their support for the legislation.

“My heart was broken. I’ve used them for years,” the reddit poster who would only give his first name “Fred” told FoxNews.com. Fred claimed to have already transferred 51 domains to another registry. “I didn’t like the generic letter they sent back to me so I posted a call to boycott. I didn’t know it would catch on the way it did,” he said.

GoDaddy did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls from FoxNews.com.

Fred, who goes by the handle SelfProdigy, says since posting, he’s received hundreds of emails from people asking for help in transferring domains, which can normally be a tricky process.

So I thought I would put together a step-by-step process of transferring your domain and your web site (NOTE: Some of you might have your domain name – your www.yourwebsitename.com – registered with GoDaddy and your “live” web site hosted with someone else AND some of you might have your domain and your web site on GoDaddy – either way it’s a process and as “Fred” said can be a tricky one).

Step 1: Download (Backup) a FRESH copy of your web site to your computer. The best and fastest way to download a site is using a FTP program (UNLESS you have a WordPress Site/Blog – notes on that in a second in Step 1A). I recommend the free FTP program FileZilla. You will need to download the FileZilla software, install it and then learn how to use it

Step 1A: If you have a WordPress web site or blog on GoDaddy you will need to back it up NOT using the FTP program; however a premium plugin by PlugInBuddy called BackUpBuddy (Prices vary depending on the licenses you will need to purchase; however if you purchase by end of year you can get 30% OFF by using the Coupon Code: BACKUP2011). Once purchased you will need to install the plugin, set it up, and then back up your site. You can send your backup to your email, Amazon S3, DropBox, or an FTP program.

Step 1B: If you made your web site on a GoDaddy template or GoDaddy Overnight – well you might be out of luck and will need to build a new site – so make sure you have at least a copy of all you pages, content, images and videos on your computer. You CANNOT transfer their templates. If you need a new site built call or email me – I’ll be happy to assist you.

Once you have confirmed you have a fresh copy of your web site on your computer (your C Drive) you are ready to move to Step 2.

Step 2: Now you ‘ll need to decide who you will transfer your domain (registration) and web site / blog  (hosting) to – in other words what company do you want to give your money to and support and who will be the best one to support you and your work. [Side Note: Now I'm in a pickle as I'm a reseller for Wild West Domains, which is GoDaddy's reseller name - so I won't direct you to that and I'll need to rethink using them and transferring my domains - one thing at a time].

With that said I highly recommend HostGator for BOTH your domain transfer and hosting of your web site / blog. Get 25% OFF by using Coupon Code: godaddytransfer at HostGator.com (please note the 25% off is only for hosting; however HostGator will transfer your domain(s) for FREE for you once you purchase their hosting services!)

And good news if you are reading this on 12/29/11 – I just spoke to HostGator and if you email sales@hostgator.com and tell them you want to transfer your domain and hosting they will have a “special” low price for you AND if you have a cPanel (which you should) at GoDaddy – they “might” be able to transfer your site/blog too!!!!

Step 2A: Once you have selected your hosting package and entered in your domain name, then visit Transfer My Domains at HostGator. Here are some things you will need to know and have handy BEFORE you fill in their form:

HostGator will transfer the primary domain name (.com, .net, .org) associated with a new client’s account upon signup at no charge. Please make sure you have completed the following process before submitting this domain transfer form.

Please understand that it’s not necessary to transfer a domain name with us to host your web site with HostGator. It is possible to leave your domain registered elsewhere, but point it to us using our name servers. A majority of our clients decide to transfer their domain registrations to HostGator for the better support. Also, if the domain is new, you must wait 60 days until submitting this form, as brand new domains can’t be transferred. If you still wish to transfer the registration to us, please follow these guidelines:

1. Make sure the WhoIs information is up-to-date.
2. Make sure you have access to the email address stated in the WhoIs Information.
3. Update name servers to the HostGator name servers prior to initiating transfer.
4. Unlock the domain.
5. Retrieve the EPP Authorization key from your current registrar.
6. Fill out the HostGator domain transfer form.
7. Please ensure that the domain is at least 60 days old.
8. This process can take up to 7 days, so please allow plenty of time for your previous registrar to approve the transfer.

Any domain transferred to HostGator is automatically renewed for an additional year for free!
*Please note that a small fee may be required for certain TLDs with higher pricing structures (Example: CO.UK, .CA, .DE, .MOBI, etc)

Okay 3-5 above might be a little “geek” or should I say “Greek” to some of you so I have a quick little video that will show you what to look for. Login to your account and click on your domain name and look for Name Servers. Also HostGator will email you your NAME SERVERS that you will need to change for your domain at GoDaddy. Do NOT use the NAME servers in the video example! This is an example – so make sure you click OK after changing the name servers to the ones that HostGator emails you. Unlock your domain and have your Authorization Code emailed to you. Then go back and fill out the Hostgator Form.

Step 3: If you did not have HostGator do all your transferring for you – once your domain is finally transferred you will need to upload your web site or blog that you downloaded to your C Drive or backed up using BackUpBuddy.

Step 3A: If you FTP your site to your computer all you will need to do is go back into your FTP program and log into your new hosting and FTP your site up to the public_html folder.

Step 3B: If you used BackUpBuddy to back up your WordPress Site you will need to install (migrate) your WordPress site using the ImportBuddy that comes with BackUpBuddy and follow the instructions on the Video on Migrate – move it somewhere else.

This does take some time and concentration – however if you run into problems, want a DIY lesson or want us to do it for you – just email HELP me Get Off GoDaddy!