Clients often ask about what is needed for a domain transfer; this article discusses the requirements for transferring their domain to Domains.co.za. First, ensure your account with your current ISP (Internet Service Provider) is fully settled, as they may hold your domain or domain information until all payments are complete.

First off, please ensure your account with your current ISP (Internet Service Provider) is fully settled, as they may hold your domain or domain information until all payments are completed.

What is Needed for Domain Transferring

To transfer a domain to Domains.co.za, the domain name must have been registered for at least 60 days.

To ensure a smooth transition and minimise downtime for your business or website, please follow these steps:

1. Inform Your Current ISP: Notify them that you are transferring your domain to Domains.co.za.
2. Provide FTP Details: Share your FTP (File Transfer Protocol) details with us.
3. Export and Send Database: If applicable, export your database and send us a copy.
4. Authorization Code: Send us the Authorisation Code for your domain, if applicable.
5. Unlock Domain: Ensure your domain is unlocked, if applicable.
6. Email Addresses: Confirm which email addresses you need.

IMPORTANT:

Transferring an international domain like .com typically incurs a fee, which may be in the form of an annual renewal fee at the time of transfer.

To initiate a domain name transfer, visit our Domain Transfer webpage, and our Sales Team will guide you through the process.

Transfer A Domain to Another Provider

If you decide to transfer your domain to a different provider, please note:

1. Notice Period: Provide one (1) calendar months’ notice and ensure your account has no outstanding amounts.
2. Contact Billing Team: Notify our Billing Team that you wish to transfer your domain and discontinue any related services.

3. Follow New Provider’s Instructions: Contact your new hosting provider and follow their transfer instructions.

IMPORTANT:

Domains.co.za’s Automated Billing System requires written notification from the registered email contact to cancel any services.

Additional Information:

Why Transfer a Domain?

There are several reasons why one would want to transfer a domain name, including:

1. The Domain Has Been Sold: After selling a domain, it needs to be transferred to the new owner.
2. Better Services: Businesses may switch providers for better customer support, SSL Certificates, domain-specific email accounts, and security. Domains.co.za offers all these services and more.
3. Rebranding: When a business rebrands and changes its name, the domain should reflect the new brand. Not transferring the new domain can cause issues for both search engines and visitors.
4. Changing TLDs: Switching from a generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) like .com to a more specific Country Code TLD (ccTLD) like .us or .ca can make a website appear more professional and approachable to the local market.

What is a TLD?

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name, following the “dot” symbol (e.g., .com). Each TLD belongs to a specific group, helping classify and communicate the purpose of the domain names they are part of.

Login to Domains.co.za Account

1. Go to the Domains.co.za website Account Login page.

2. Enter your Email and Password.

3. Then click the “Sign In” button.

Transfer a domain to Domains.co.za

Please note: An ISP may not release your domain/domain information until your account with them has been settled in full.

To ensure the minimum amount of downtime for your business/website, we require the following information to set up on our servers:

• Advise your current ISP that you will be transferring your domain to domains.co.za
• FTP details
• A copy of your Database (where applicable)
• Authorisation Code (if applicable)
• Unlocking of the Domain (if applicable)
• Email addresses that you require.

Transfer a domain from Domains.co.za

Please give a Calendar Month’s Notice and ensure that your account is paid up, and that you request all services to be discontinued. For this, email billing@domains.co.za to notify our accounts department.

Then, liaise with your new hosting provider and obtain further instructions from them.

NB:  Domains.co.za runs an Automated Billing System; this does NOT automatically cancel any services from a customer’s account unless notification in writing has been received from the registered email contact.

Domain Transfer Fees

• Transferring a local domain (e.g. .co.za) is currently Free of Charge.
• Transferring an international domain (e.g. .com) usually incurs a fee. The fee may be in the form of paying an Annual Renewal Fee at the time of transfer.