Domain Transfer: Impact on Website, Email & Related Services
Considering transferring your domain name to another provider? It's a common move, but it's natural to worry about what will happen to your website, email, and other services. This guide will walk you through the process and explain the impact of a domain transfer so you can proceed with confidence.
- A domain transfer ONLY moves the domain name itself.
- Services like your website hosting, email, and e-commerce platforms DO NOT TRANSFER with the domain.
In this article, we'll cover:
What is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer is the process of moving your domain name from one registrar (like Network Solutions®) to another. The transfer process itself is standardized and typically involves unlocking your domain, getting an authorization code, and initiating the transfer with your new registrar.
Understanding the Impact on Your Services
When you transfer your domain, it's crucial to understand how it affects services like your website and email. These services fall into two categories:
- Generic Services:
These are services like WordPress Hosting or Microsoft 365 Email that can operate independently of your domain registrar. As long as you don't change your domain's DNS settings, these services will continue to function without interruption during and after the transfer. You can continue to host these services with Network Solutions® even after your domain has moved elsewhere. - Proprietary Services:
These are services built specifically on your registrar's platform (for example, a proprietary Website Builder tool). These services may no longer function correctly once the domain is transferred away. It's essential to contact your provider before transferring to understand the impact on any proprietary tools you use.
- If you are transferring a domain away from Network Solutions but want to continue using our website hosting and email, you simply need to make sure your domain's nameservers at your new registrar are pointing to Network Solutions.
- For more information, please see our How Do I Manage DNS Records? and Cloud Mail DNS Settings articles.
What Are My Next Steps?
Before initiating a domain transfer, we recommend the following:
- Identify all active services connected to your domain, including your website, hosting, and email.
- Determine if your services are generic or proprietary. If you are unsure, contact our support team for clarification.
- Plan for your services. Decide whether you will keep your hosting and email with Network Solutions® (by pointing your DNS back to us) or migrate them to your new provider.
Review
Transferring your domain name doesn't have to result in downtime for your website or email. The key is understanding that your services operate independently from your domain registration. As long as you manage your DNS settings correctly and plan for any proprietary services, you can ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption.