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Domain Transfer: GoDaddy to NameCheap

After a bit of research, I’ve decided to move all my domain names from GoDaddy to NameCheap to save money. GoDaddy also initially supported SOPA and lost a lot of support by their members. I’m ready to try something new. The process outlined below is specific for GoDaddy to NameCheap, but it should be fairly similar for other registrars. You can transfer multiple domains at one time, but I would recommend doing one first to see if any problems occur.

Note: If you use GoDaddy for DNS (you have your name servers set to GoDaddy), you may want to minimize downtime by moving all your DNS records to NameCheap’s FreeDNS BEFORE initiating the domain transfer. If you’re not too worried about minimizing downtime, DNS instructions will be provided later in this guide.

You need to do the following things to the domain name before it will transfer:

The full process is as follows:
  1. Login to www.godaddy.com
  2. Make sure all your contact information is correct - very important
  3. Make sure all your Domains by Proxy information is correct (if you are using privacy) - very important
  4. Click My Account -> Expand Domains -> Click Launch on the desired domain
  5. Next to the DNS Manager section -> Click Launch -> Click Import/Export -> Export (Windows) -> Save the DNS records on your computer
  6. Click the back button to get back to the previous page
  7. Next to the Locked section -> Click Manage -> Uncheck Lock Domain(s) -> Click OK
  8. Next to the Authorization Code -> Click Send by Email -> Click OK
  9. Make sure you receive an email with the Authorization Info code (EEP Code)
  10. Login to Domains by Proxy (if private registration is enabled) -> Click Cancel Private Registration for your domain to transfer
  11. Go to www.namecheap.com -> Either Signup or Login
  12. Click Domain Transfer from the home screen
  13. Type in the domain name to transfer to NameCheap -> Click Start Transfer -> Click Add to Cart
  14. Click Set EPP code -> Paste the code from the email above
  15. Verify all the information is correct (Domain name, WhoisGuard, PositiveSSL)
  16. Apply the promo code for March: DOMAINS4US
  17. Click Checkout -> Fill out all your personal information -> Click Save and Continue
  18. Check the WhoisGuard box -> Click Save and Continue
  19. Select your payment method
  20. Complete your transaction
  21. Once you receive the Domain Transfer Request email a few hours later, accept the agreement after reading it to start the transfer process

It will take less than a day for transfer to complete (in my experience). You’ll have to update your DNS to fix any problems that result from the transfer. You should not have any downtime, BUT some people have reported issues.

My Experience with NameCheap: When I first tried to move one of my domains, private registration (Domain by Proxy) was still enabled on my GoDaddy “owned” domain so I received an email from DomainsbyProxy.com that said:

Dear Registration Private,

The transfer of (domain name removed) from Go Daddy to another registrar could not be completed for the following reason(s):

Express written objection to the transfer from the Transfer Contact. (e.g. - email, fax, paper document or other processes by which the Transfer Contact has expressly and voluntarily objected through opt-in means).

After disabling private registration, I wanted to restart the transferring of the domain so I opened a ticket with NameCheap at https://support.namecheap.com at 6pm EST. Within 2 hours, I received a response back from an agent requesting verification of my identity. After I verified, NameCheap manually restarted the domain transfer and two hours later, I received a email from GoDaddy which requested I approve the transfer. By 10am the next day, I received an email from GoDaddy which said the domain was transferred successfully.

Once the domain transfers:

  1. Login to www.namecheap.com
  2. Click on Your Domains/Products
  3. Click on your transferred domain
  4. Click Transfer DNS Back to Us -> Read the terms and Accept
  5. You should now see All Host Records under the Host Management section on the left menu
  6. Add all your DNS records from GoDaddy
  7. Wait about an hour and everything should start resolving properly

NameCheap had WONDERFUL customer service and after I sent a thank-you, I received this email back from Ann S. at NameCheap:

Hello Joseph, Thank you for contacting us back! You are most welcome. It was a pleasure to help you. Please feel free to contact us in case of any questions and issues.

Regards, Ann S. Customer Support

Based on my experience with customer service (with Ann S), I would highly recommend NameCheap.com.

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