How to transfer your domain - Sportsman Creative

Introduction: Understanding Your Domain Options

When you hire Sportsman Creative to design and manage your website, one of the first steps involves securing or transferring a domain. Your business has two primary options:

1. Purchase a New Domain: If you don’t already have a domain, we can discuss and secure one that aligns with your brand.
2. Use an Existing Domain: If you already own a domain, we’ll guide you through the domain transfer process to ensure your website is hosted properly.

Many of our clients have worked with previous agencies that handled their domain registrations. In some cases, the domain may still be under the control of that agency. Don’t worry—we’re here to help! Whether you want to transfer your domain to Sportsman Creative for us to manage or transfer it to another registrar of your choice, this guide will walk you through your options and outline what to expect.

Option 1: Transfer Your Domain to Sportsman Creative

Why Transfer to Sportsman Creative?

Transferring your domain to Sportsman Creative means we take care of everything—from domain management to website hosting—allowing you to focus on your business. Here’s why many clients choose this option:

• Simplified Management: One point of contact for your domain, web hosting service, and website.
• Enhanced Security: We ensure your domain is secure, renewed on time, and protected against unauthorized transfers.
• Expert Support: Our team monitors and maintains your domain to prevent disruptions and optimize user experience.

How the Transfer Process Works

1. Domain Ownership Check
2. If your domain is still managed by a previous agency, we’ll work directly with them to initiate the transfer.
3. If you already control the domain, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to begin the transfer.
4. Unlock the Domain
5. The current registrar must unlock the domain and provide an authorization code (EPP code).
6. Confirm Transfer Request
7. We’ll submit the transfer request to your domain registrar and verify the request via email.
8. Domain Transfer Completion
9. Once the transfer is approved, it typically takes 5 to 7 days for the process to complete.

Pros and Cons of Transferring to Sportsman Creative

Pros:

• Centralized management, web hosting service, and technical support.
• Automatic domain renewals and proactive monitoring.
• Enhanced security to safeguard your web page and prevent downtime.
• Privacy Protection: Your personal or business contact information is kept private on the public WHOIS directory, helping to reduce spam calls, unsolicited emails, and potential privacy risks.
• Simplicity: We handle the entire setup and management process for you—no need to learn DNS settings, figure out which registrar to use, or troubleshoot technical issues on your own.
• Site Access Protection: Your domain is securely stored in our agency account, eliminating the risk of forgotten login credentials or misplaced registrar info. This ensures you’ll always have access when updates are needed—without the hassle of tracking down old accounts or digging through outdated information.

Cons:

• If you choose to stop using Sportsman Creative for your web services in the future, you’ll need to work with us to transfer your domain to a new registrar or hosting provider. However, our contract includes a client protection clause guaranteeing you full domain ownership and our full support during the transfer process to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Option 2: Transfer to a Registrar of Your Choice

Why Choose Another Registrar?

Some clients prefer to keep their domain with a registrar of their choice while allowing Sportsman Creative to manage the website. This option provides flexibility but requires a bit more ongoing management.

How This Process Works

1. Verify Registrar Compatibility
2. We’ll ensure that your chosen registrar supports domain transfers and is compatible with your website design and hosting environment.
3. Obtain the Authorization Code
4. You’ll need to get the EPP code from your current registrar. This code verifies that the domain is unlocked and ready for transfer.
5. Initiate Transfer with New Registrar
6. You or your new registrar will initiate the transfer and verify the request.
7. Update DNS Settings
8. Once the transfer is complete, we’ll assist with updating the DNS settings to point to your new website hosted by Sportsman Creative, ensuring optimal loading time and seamless user interface design.

Pros and Cons of Using Another Registrar

Pros:

• Flexibility to manage your own domain.
• Control over future domain-related decisions.

Cons:

• You’re responsible for domain renewals, web hosting security, and ongoing domain management.
• Higher risk of missed renewals or lapses.
• We'll need access to your registrar account to update the DNS settings unless you're comfortable updating them yourself.

How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take?

Standard Timeframes

• .com, .net, .org Domains: 5 to 7 days after initiating the transfer.
• Country-Specific Domains: May take longer depending on the registrar and domain extension.

Factors That May Cause Delays

• Incorrect EPP code or authorization issues
• Domain is locked by the current registrar
• Pending WHOIS verification or email confirmation

Understanding the 60-Day Transfer Lock

Why Can’t You Transfer a Domain Again for 60 Days?

After a domain transfer is complete, ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) enforces a 60-day lock on the domain. This prevents further transfers to another registrar for 60 days to protect against unauthorized changes or fraud.

Exceptions to the 60-Day Rule

Exceptions are very rare, but sometimes they can happen;

• If the previous registrar removes the lock voluntarily
• Certain domain types may not be subject to this rule

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

I'm having issues with my domain transfer, how do I fix it?

1. Incorrect Authorization Code
2. Double-check the EPP code provided by your current registrar. If the code doesn’t work, request a new one.
3. Domain Still Locked
4. Contact the current registrar to unlock the domain before initiating a transfer. We can also assist with verifying that the domain is unlocked.
5. Verification Email Not Received
6. Check your spam/junk folder and confirm that your WHOIS contact information, especially your email address, is up to date.

FAQs About Domain Transfers

Can I Transfer My Domain If It’s About to Expire?

Yes, but it’s best to start the transfer at least 10 days before expiration to avoid complications.

What Happens If the Transfer Fails?

If a transfer fails, the domain remains with the original registrar. We’ll review the cause and guide you on next steps.

Do I Need to Update My Website After a Transfer?

In most cases, DNS settings will be updated automatically, but we’ll verify that everything is working properly to ensure your website design, loading time, and overall user experience remain uninterrupted.

Final Tips and Best Practices

• Plan Your Transfer Early: Avoid transferring domains close to expiration.
• Keep Your WHOIS Info Updated: Ensure your email address and contact info are correct.
• Consult Sportsman Creative: We’re here to help walk you through the pros and cons and make sure your domain transfer is smooth and secure.