How to Transfer a Domain Name to a Web Host

Ok, you've bought your domain name and you've bought your hosting and now you have to connect the two into a happy union. How you do this depends on exactly what you want to do.

1. If you bought your domain name at a 3rd party registrar, meaning you didn't buy it from the hosting company, and you want to point that name to the host. Or...
   
   
2. You actually want to transfer the domain from whichever registrar you happen to have to your hosting service. The hosting service then becomes the new registrar of the domain.

Put a Point on That Name

I'm going to assume that you want to connect your domain and your web host, but you want to keep your domain registrar and your host separate. Which I think is a good idea since youi get a lot more control over your domain doing it this way.

I'll cover the other option later.

All web hosts have something called a nameserver. This is the magic that connects your domain to the computer that your renting space on. The tech's will guffaw at this definition of mine, but it works for this discussion.

What you want to do is grad the nameserver domains from your host and enter them into your domain name adminisration panel. The nameservers probably came in the email that you received when you signed up for your new hosting service. They look something like: ns1.kioskdns.com and ns2.kioskdns.com.

If they aren't in the emails or you can't find them in your host's documentation then contact customer service.

Ok, You've Got Your Nameservers

Log into your domain administration account and look for a button or link that says something like: edit nameservers, change nameservers, assign nameservers, etc. If your registrar is GoDaddy then you log in and look for the tiny Manage Domains link, on the left side, under the My Products bar.

1. Click that link and you'll hit the page with a list of your domain name(s.)
2. Click the domain name you want to point to your new host.
3. You'll hit a page with all kinds of domain details. There's a line of icons above that. Click the one that says Nameservers.
4. Enter the first nameserver name, for example: ns1.kioskdns.com, into the first box. Enter the other, eg: ns2.kioskdns.com, into the second box. I suggest using the ol' copy and paste method. Fewer typos that way.
5. Hit the OK button (down and to the right.)
6. Give it a minute or three to think about it.
7. And you're done.

Other registrars will be similar. Log in, find the place to modify your domains, then the link to edit/change nameservers. Plug in the new names, hit ok, and you're done.

Note: Your domain will not connect to your new site immediately. It will take a few hours to a day or two for your new domain to properly resolve to your site. All registrars are pretty much the same in this. It just has to do with the way the internet works. Give it time, it'll hook up, and you're good.

You Want to Transfer Your Domain Name?

Why would you want to do that?  If you're not selling that domain name? The only advantage to having your domain registered with the same place that hosts your site is that you may get the domain for free as part of your hosting package and youi won't have to deal with nameservers.

If you have to fire your host then you may find that a third party registrar was a good idea after all.

The Process

Transfering a name from Registrar A to Registrar B is not the same thing as pointing it to your host. When you transfer the name to another registrar you're transfering the actual listing of the name from A to B.

You're doing the same thing if you sell the name, it's just that you have to coordinate money and registrar with the buyer.

So here's what you need to do:

1. Log into the admin panel of the registrar listing your domain and unlock that domain. Domains are locked to prevent transfers. In the past scammers could hijack domains and locking prevents this. So you're going to need to unlock it.
   
   
2. At the new registrar find the link that says Transfer Domain.
   
   
3. Enter the name of the domain that you wish to transfer and take careful note of any instructions on the page. You must have access to the email address that you used when you first registered the domain.
   
   
4. The transfer isn't free. You will be paying for at least a year with your new registrar.
   
   
5. The transfer isn't fast. It will take around 7 days to complete.
   
   
6. Once you've requested the transfer and paid your money youi will get emails from both the new registrar and the old. Each one will want you to verify the transfer. Read those emails very carefully because they will contain instructions to deny the transfer, as well as to approve it. YOU want to make sure you're giving them the right instruction.
   
   
7. If you replied yes to the emails you might receive another email, from one or both registrars, acknowledging and verifying that the transfer will take place.
   
   
8. Then you wait a few days and the name will settle nicely into it's new home.

Buying and Selling Domains

The process of buying and selling doman names is similar. The domain has to be unlocked and both the old and new registrars with send their emails requesting approval.

The buyer will, depending on the negotiations, pay the transfer fees.

Of course, there are a few potential pitfalls here. You might want to look into an escrow service to facilitate the transfer of both the name and the payment. AfterNic.com is one such service.