Aug 18

Transferring a Domain

Darren @ 11:44 pm

Having your domain name registered with Rapid Hosting makes it easier for us to provide you with the best support possible with your domain troubles, as it allows us to directly change any domains settings when required. Click here to transfer your domain - but be sure to read this page before doing so for some handy hints.

Requirements before ordering
Domain Transfer Password:
The first and foremost requirement for domain transfers to be processed, is obtaining your Domain Transfer Password.  This password is vital to the process and helps prevent fraud transfer from being actioned.  Your domain password is held with your current Domain Registrar.  If you have troubles tracking down your Domain Transfer Passwords, please contact us so we may assist in obtaining your password.

Domain Lock:
In addition to your domain password, some domains may have a lock enabled through their respective Registrar.  While a Domain Lock is in place, no transfer can be actioned - even with a Domain Transfer Password.  You will need to have the Domain Lock turned off or removed before Rapid Hosting can proceed with a transfer.  This can always be requested at your current domain Registrar.

After the transfer has been requested
Once the transfer has been requested, you will receive an email confirming your request to transfer the domain.  The email will be sent to the address set in your current domain settings.  If you do not receive this email, please contact us to follow it up.

How long does it take to complete a transfer?
Domain transfer times can vary from Registrar to Registrar and on the domain extension you are transferring.  A typical domain may take up to 72 hours to be transferred, however the below can be used as a guideline.

Approximately 72 hours for .com .net .org .biz .info .name .mobi
Approximately 24 hours for .com.au .net.au .org.au .asn.au .id.au

It’s important to note that these times are not guaranteed, however Rapid Hosting shall do everything required to ensure a speedy transfer.

Will my site go down during the transfer period?
During the 24-72 hour period while your transfer is in action you site will not go down.  Your visitors will continue to see your site as normal and all your emails should still be functioning.  Once the transfer is completed, down time is then dependant if you are changing your name servers.

For example, if you wish to only order a domain from Rapid Hosting but keep your hosting package with your current provider, the your domain’s name servers will not change and there should be no downtime.

If however you are migrating your hosting at the same time, then your name servers will have changed to reflect this.  In this event you site will appear down.  The period which your site will be unavailable for new visitors or emails will be dependant on many factors and is referred to as DNS Propagation.

The typical time is 4 hours, but can be up to 72 hours or even longer while computers all around the Internet start pointing to the new server instead of your old server.  During this time, some visitors may be directed to your new site, while others still might see your old site.

It’s a bit to take in, but when you’reready Transfer your Domain