Untangling Website/Domain issues help needed

[Rozmataz]

I currently have my website registered with a company and the domain registration is expiring Aug 8.

My hosting is with another company.

The gal that manages my website suggests that I leave the domain name registration it where it is. I don't want to do that.

What problems/tasks required will occur if I transfer my domain name registration to a new provider? Either the same as my hosting (sends it to another company they are aligned with) or Godaddy?

Since the web was created by her and managed by her - but I have another website I created at Godaddy that I can manage myself and change it hourly if I want to - that is where I want to transfer the domain name registration to and ultimately create a website myself and then at some point publish that from godaddy.

So, simply put:

Domain Registration renewal/transfer:
1. keep where it is for $49.95 2/yrs
2. transfer to hosting/company $12.50/yr
3. transfer to godaddy $8.99/yr

Hosting:
1. keep where it is for now
2. once new site is built, transfer to godaddy

Management:
1. currently managed by gal; created in software I don't have or know
2. able to manage myself if in the future I transfer to Godaddy

For the transfer (which is not completed) godaddy is asking for: 2 nameservers - Help! what are they.

Anything else I should consider that I haven't addressed?

Thanks,

Roz

 

[Richard Darling]

Roz,
I've only done this a few times. I'm sure Mike or someone else will jump in here and get it all straight for you.

I think that it is more difficult (perhaps not possible) to transfer a domain within 30 days of its expiration. Something to do with protection for the owner I think.

If it is possible, you simply notify your current registrar that you would like to transfer it to GoDaddy. You provide them with your account info. They initiate the transfer, and GoDaddy sends you a confirmation that you are the owner and really want to transfer.

Done.

 

[Mike Labbe]

There are two things, and they're usually 2 different companies. In fact, I suggest keeping them apart in case one or the other goes out of business or has a disaster. (on 9/11/01, the WTC fell on the company I was using. Fortunately, no one died, but the place was ruined)

a) Domain name registrar
This is who you rent the domain from, basically. Generally costs about $8+ per year. godaddy.com is who I recommend.

b) Webhosting company
This is the company that physically serves up your content and distributes it to visitors, from their server. This generally runs $5-$30 per month, depending on the company.

The registrar (a) "points" people to the server (b) who handles your web and email activity. When the registrar is asking for the nameservers, these are the internet addresses of the machine assigned to you by the webhosting company (b). (a primary server, and a backup; if the first one fails) If you are keeping the same webhosting company you have now, these should not change. If one of the above is being terminated, double check with your webmaster to make sure your decisions are correct. (A) won't matter much, but if you are planning to change the webhosting company - several things need to be reviewed. Such as if the new one supports any extensions you require, who will be moving the files over, setting up email, what the new nameservers are, if the account is already active and tested, etc.

In short, if you're keeping the same webhosting company and just want to switch the domain registration to godaddy (without THEIR hosting), this should be a painless transition; with no downtime. If you are changing anything else, involve the webmaster. The server names should stay as they are now, so it points to the same webhosting company. (unless you are going through a privacy proxy service, then you'll need to get the real server names from the hosting company)

Transferring should be ok, but it's likely that the old domain registrar has a "lock" on the domain. This may need to be unlocked before a transfer can happen. Usually you can do this through their web based interface.

Here is the info you have on file:
http://whois.domaintools.com/rozmataz.com

Best regards
Mike

PS: Be sure to terminate your account with the old registrar, a week or so after the change happens. Otherwise they're likely to keep billing you. If this is the same company you use for webhosting, be especially careful that they understand that you dont want to terminate both functions. It's also a good idea to make a BACKUP of your website before doing anything, just in case.

 

[TheFrameGuy]

1) The domain www.rozmataz.com is registered through a reseller (NetLiance Corporation) for the registrar www.enom.com and is in the "pending transfer" status. The registrar eNom is a great registrar, so I would not move your domain.

2) eNom has a great feature that allows domains to be "pushed" within eNom accounts. Rather than change the registrar to a registrar like GoDaddy, I'd recommend getting an eNom account and having the domain transfered to your own account.

3) eNom offers free DNS services with all registrations. They have 5 name servers around the world associated with your domain so using their name servers will give you better reliability than your current two names servers or the two free name servers GoDaddy offers.