I got a great question from one of my loyal readers this weekend that I thought would make for a good post for you newbies out there. The reader wanted to know how to transfer a domain name after he sells his website. He heard you had to wait 60 days after you register a new domain before you can transfer it. How then can he sell his website if it is less than 60 days old?
He’s right that there is a 60-day period from the time you register a new domain before you can transfer it. However, that only applies to a transfer from one registrar to another. For example, you want to transfer a domain from the registrar, NameCheap, to GoDaddy. In that situation, you would have to wait 60 days. There is, however, a quick and easy (and free) way to “transfer” a domain to your buyer within those 60 days.
Push A Domain
The process is called a “domain push” or “pushing a domain,” or simply a “push.” When you push a domain you are simply pushing, or moving, the domain from one person to another WITHIN the same registrar. For example, you want to transfer a domain from the registrar, NameCheap, to your buyer who also has an account with NameCheap.
Unlike a transfer from one registrar to another, pushing a domain can be done anytime and takes just a minute to do. More importantly, the process is free for most registrars and your buyer will have instant ownership of the domain. When you transfer a domain from one registrar to another, however, the process is a bit more complicating, takes a few days to complete, and isn’t free.
How to Transfer A Domain Name
Before I show you a specific example of how to transfer a domain name, I put together this quick video that shows you how to push a domain within GoDaddy or NameCheap.com:
Transferring a domain takes a few more steps and can take up to 7 days to complete. Here are the general steps involved:
1. The current owner of the domain unlocks the domain
2. The current owner of the domain obtains the authorization code
3. The buyer or future owner of the domain initiates the transfer
I put together this video that shows the general steps involved on how to transfer a domain name from GoDaddy to NameCheap.com and vice versa:
In most cases, as a website flipper you will simply push domains and not transfer them. If the buyer doesn’t have an account at the same registrar as the one where the domain is currently registered, just ask the buyer if he would be willing to open an account as it is free to do. The buyer shouldn’t object as the process of pushing a domain is so much easier (and cheaper obviously) than transferring a domain. I have accounts at all major registrars for this very reason and so should you!
