| ign="center"> | | | | Remember, though, that if you are like most people, |
| Are you getting the service that you require from | | | | domainregistration is something you will not do very |
| your domainregistrar? Actually, thinking about it for a | | | | often, so perhapscustomer support is not all that |
| minute, it might bea better question to ask, do you | | | | important. |
| even know what services areavailable? Are you | | | | What are the disadvantages? |
| aware that you can shop around and get | | | | Transferring a domain can be confusing. Also, there is |
| betterprices, more features and far better customer | | | | noguarantee that the new registrar will be any better |
| service? | | | | than the oldone. Again, remember that domain |
| Guess what? All domain registrars are not the same. | | | | registration is not somethingthat you should need to |
| Okay, let's back up a minute. Way back when the | | | | deal with very often (if you are likemost people) so |
| internet wasyoung (maybe 5 years ago) all domain | | | | it may not be worth the effort to change. |
| names were handled by | | | | Can any domain be transferred? |
| Network Solutions, Inc. In those dark, evil days you | | | | Yes, any domain registered with any registrar may |
| had nochoice. It didn't matter what you thought of | | | | be transferredto any other registrar. |
| the process, it wasunimportant that you were not | | | | What does a registrar do? |
| getting service and the price,well, was a standard | | | | The registrar manages your domain name. They |
| high fee. | | | | maintain securityand the structures that make the |
| A few years ago the government decided that | | | | domain work. |
| Network Solutionswould no longer be a monopoly. | | | | Does changing registrars have any effect on |
| The government wanted to do thisto deregulate the | | | | ownership? |
| industry and encourage competition, and alsoperhaps | | | | No. When you change registrars you are only |
| to spur a little bit of growth into this thing calledthe | | | | changing managers. |
| internet. | | | | You still retain ownership. |
| Okay, so now you do have a choice. In fact, there | | | | Are there reasons why a domain may not be |
| are well overa hundred different domain registrars at | | | | transferred? |
| last count. They seemto be springing up all over the | | | | Yes. Some of these are listed below. |
| place, and the level of supportand service, as well as | | | | - The domain name is in a legal dispute of some kind. |
| the price, seems to vary greatly. | | | | - Theidentity of the domain name holder is in dispute |
| You may not know it, but you can change domain | | | | or unknown. - |
| registrars at anytime. It's actually not very | | | | The domain name holder is in bankruptcy. - The |
| complicated at all. | | | | domain has onlybeen with the registrar for 60 days. - |
| Here are some of the questions that you may have | | | | The registrar refuses totransfer for other reasons. |
| regardingdomain transfers. | | | | How is a domain transferred? |
| How much does it cost? | | | | This varies from registrar to registrar. Some require |
| It depends upon the domain registrar. I have found | | | | anotarized form to be delivered to them, others can |
| that manywill transfer your domain for no cost to | | | | do it using aweb site form. How long does the |
| get your business. | | | | process take? |
| Others will charge a few dollars ($5 to $20 or more), | | | | The registrar will usually take five to ten days to |
| but willdrop the fee if you extend your domain for a | | | | review andvalidate the request. Once it has been |
| couple of years. | | | | validated and put intoaction, it will take a couple of |
| Shop around and find a good deal. | | | | days for the change to filterthrough the internet. |
| What are the advantages of transferring? | | | | Will the web site associated with the domain be |
| You may not like the domain registrar you are | | | | accessibleduring the change? |
| currently using -perhaps they have poor support or | | | | Yes. This normally does not effect access to your |
| cost too much. You can shoparound and find the | | | | web site. Theregistrar is changed, not the web site |
| best solution for your needs. | | | | address and otherinformation. |