Whether you are trying to sell your domain name or your entire website, it is very important that you are aware of the processes involved in transferring the domain name to a new owner. In the next few lines, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to do this…
The first thing to keep in mind is that the transfer process can be slightly different from one domain name registrar to another. Although, the ideas remain more or less the same with all domain name registrars. Basically, you will need to click a part of your domain name control panel in the domain name registrar network to initiate the transfer and fill in some recipient/new owner information on the form provided by your domain name registrar. .
For Godaddy, you need to know the “Account Email Address” of the recipient. On the NameCheap network, you need the “Authorization Code” and “Buyer Username” (Note! The recipient must have their personal details entered into their NameCheap account or the domain transfer will fail).
For eNom and its affiliates (name.com, sitedomain.com, etc.), you need the “Account Code”. You can always find this in your domain registrar’s FAQ.
For the purposes of this guide, we will use Godaddy as an example. I’ll show you how to transfer a domain name to a new owner on the Godaddy network.
Step 1: Log in to your Godaddy “Account Manager”.
Step 2: Click the plus (+) button
Step 3 – Select the domain name you want to move and click “Start” to access the domain name control panel.
Step 4: Now you need to click on “Change Ownership”.
Step 5: The previous step will launch a form of sorts. Within this form is where you enter the email address associated with the recipient’s Godaddy account. If you have the recipient’s username, you can check the “I have…” box and enter it.
Below that option, there is a heading/section with three (3) radio buttons. You will be prompted to choose between entering new contact details for the domain name, using the new owner’s account details, or letting your details remain. Whichever option you choose, make sure the new owner can always change it later.
Finally, in the form, you will be asked to choose whether to keep the nameserver settings or change them. Click next when you’re done.
Step 6 – If you choose to enter new details, you will be taken to a page where you will need to fill in the details of the new owner. You must also check both boxes and before clicking the “Next” button at the bottom of the page
Step 7: Click “Finish” to complete the transfer.
NB! If you attempt to transfer the domain name during the 60-day period, you must decline the registrant change and then transfer the domain name before completing the Organization, First Name, or Last Name fields.
Step 8 – Tell the new owner to accept the domain name in the Godaddy domain control panel.
It is recommended that both parties (sender and receiver) are using the same domain name registrar, it can be a bit tricky if they are with different domain name registrars. Sometimes you will need to contact your domain name registrar to guide you through the process.
Although the ICAN rules state that a domain must have been registered for more than 60 days before you can transfer it, domain name registrars (like Godaddy) will allow you to transfer if you are still within their network, as we saw above. .