Moving a Domain: How to Successfully Change in 3 Steps

If you run a website, you first face the decision of choosing a suitable web or domain host. But what if over time you realize that another provider might have been a better choice? In such a case, the only solution is to move the domain. The good news: Fortunately, moving a domain is much easier than you might initially think. In the following, you will learn how to successfully transfer in three easy steps.

Why should you move a domain?

You might be wondering when it makes sense to switch to a new domain host. In fact, the reasons for this can be many and often depend on the personal requirements for a website:

• Financial conditions with other providers: A common reason for switching to a new host lies in the budget.

• Services: Are you dissatisfied with the service of your current provider? Then transferring the domain might make sense.

The difference between a web host and a domain host

Before we show you the individual steps for moving your domain, here is a brief explanation of the two terms web host and domain host. These are sometimes used synonymously, but in detail they differ:

• Domain Host: Domain hosting is the service that makes a domain (e.g. "omr.com") accessible on the internet. During domain hosting, the domain is registered on a Domain Name Server (DNS) and thus made visible on the internet.

• Web Host: Web hosting, on the other hand, is the service that provides the actual contents of the website. This is a server where the website files are stored and which sends them to users when they access the domain via the internet.

Providers of Website Builders like Squarespace, Wix, STRATO Homepage Builder and Jimdo often offer both services - domain and web hosting then come from the same service provider. But it is also possible to host your domain and the data for your website with different providers. In our example, we assume that your domain and web host are the same and you want to move both parts of your website.

You want to learn more about STRATO's services? You can find all the tools and helpful articles about the products on our company overview page from STRATO.

Moving domain in 3 steps

The move of a domain is regulated by the “Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers” (short: ICANN). ICANN is an organization that coordinates the allocation of internet addresses and has created globally valid guidelines for domain transfer. According to these rules, it is necessary to contact the registrar of your domain first, for example, STRATO or Jimdo.

Step 1: Request Authentication Code

In the first step, it is necessary to request the authentication code (short: auth code) of the domain. It serves as an additional authentication for the transfer of domains from one registrar to another. The auth code is generated by the provider currently hosting the domain, and is sent to the new registrar for verification before the domain transfer is completed. To get your personal auth code, you must, therefore, contact your current domain host - typically, providers have a special request form for this on their website.

Step 2: Check Email Addresses

If email addresses are linked to your domain, you should remember to move them too. Otherwise, after moving your domain, you may face additional costs if you need to continue operating the email addresses with the old provider. At worst, the addresses could be deleted entirely, causing important emails and data to be lost.

Step 3: Initiate Move With New Host

In the last step, you need to register your domain with the new provider. To do this, visit the provider's website and fill out the appropriate forms. In addition to providing the auth code, you will obviously share your domain address and choose a service package for domain hosting. After that, the move is initiated and all you have to do is wait for your new provider to complete it.

Common questions when moving a domain

At this point, we will briefly explain the most important questions that an admin might have during a domain switch:

How long does it take to move a domain?

The duration of a domain transfer depends on various factors such as the domain registrar, the current status of the domain, and possibly also the type of domain (for example, whether it is a .com, .net or .org domain). However, typically, the transfer of a domain takes several days.

The exact duration of the transfer also depends on how quickly you submit all the required documents and how quickly the new domain registrar can process the transfer. It's important that you continue to manage the domain during the transfer and pay the fees to the current domain registrar to ensure that the domain is not lost or blocked. During the transfer, the domain should continue to function and be accessible on the internet.

How do I transfer my domain to new owners?

If your domain is to be assigned to new owners, the procedure is similar to an actual move: First, contact your current provider and let them know that you want to transfer your domain to another person. The exact procedure can vary from provider to provider. Typically, you need to prove that you own the domain and then submit an authorization that the domain should be transferred. Following this, your domain registrar will initiate the transfer to the new person. However, please note that this may involve fees.

What impact does moving a domain have on my SEO?

In general, your SEO should not face any problems when you move your domain. It is important that all website data remains present and indexed during the move. To minimize the impact of a domain transfer on your website's SEO, it is advisable to take all necessary steps before the move to ensure that search engines recognize and index the new domain. This includes setting up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one and submitting the new domain to search engines.

Conclusion

It turns out: Not only is the creation of websites easier than ever today. Moving them is usually quick and straightforward. However, to avoid having to constantly move your domain, you should choose the right provider for you in advance. To make this choice easier, you will find many different providers on OMR Reviews that our verified users have already rated for you. We've already listed some of the most popular Domain Providers here:

• Wix

• STRATO

• IONOS by 1&1 Domain

• Squarespace

• Webflow

• Jimdo