Ever stared at your domain registrar dashboard thinking "I should've gone with GoDaddy from the start"? I've been there. Last year when migrating my photography business site, I wasted three days because no one told me about the 60-day lock rule. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Transferring a domain to GoDaddy isn't complicated when you know the exact steps. But skip one detail? Oh boy. That's when you'll discover what "domain transfer hell" really means when your site goes offline during peak sales hours. (Ask me how I know)
Before You Start: The Make-or-Break Checklist
Rushing into a domain transfer without prep work is like jumping into a pool without checking the water depth. Here's what absolutely must happen before initiating transfer:
Critical Pre-Transfer Verification Table
| What to Check | Why It Matters | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Lock Status | Locked domains won't transfer (most common roadblock) | Current registrar's dashboard > Security settings |
| Admin Email Validity | Authorization emails go here - must be accessible | WHOIS lookup or registrar profile |
| 60-Day Rule Compliance | New registrations/changes trigger transfer locks | Check domain history in control panel |
| Expiration Date | Domains expiring in <15 days cause transfer failures | Registrar dashboard or WHOIS lookup |
| Privacy Protection Status | Must be temporarily disabled for transfer | Domain settings > Privacy section |
Last year I missed the privacy protection step. The transfer got rejected because WHOIS data was masked. Took 72 hours to resolve.
Getting the authorization code (EPP code) is where most people hit snags. Some registrars hide it behind three layers of security questions. Others make you call support and wait on hold for 45 minutes. Pro tip: start this process early in the day when phone queues are shorter.
Your Step-by-Step Transfer Roadmap
Phase 1: Preparing at Current Registrar
Log into your current registrar account. This part feels like preparing for a cross-country move - tedious but necessary:
- Unlock the domain: Find the "Domain Lock" or "Transfer Lock" toggle and disable it
- Disable privacy protection: Temporarily turn off WHOIS privacy
- Verify contact info: Triple-check admin email under WHOIS settings
- Request authorization code: Look for "Transfer EPP Code" or "Auth Code" option
When I transferred my domains from Namecheap, their system automatically emailed the code within minutes. With Network Solutions? Had to open a support ticket that took 18 hours. Your mileage may vary.
Phase 2: Initiating Transfer at GoDaddy
Now the actual how to transfer a domain to GoDaddy process begins:
| Step | Action | What You'll Need |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit GoDaddy's transfer page | Domain name exactly as registered |
| 2 | Enter domain and add to cart | - |
| 3 | Enter authorization code | EPP code from old registrar |
| 4 | Complete checkout process | Payment method |
Important: When transferring to GoDaddy, you'll be prompted to add an extra year of registration. This isn't optional - ICANN requires it for all transfers. Budget for this additional cost ($10-20 typically).
Fun fact: GoDaddy sometimes runs transfer promotions. Last month I saw .com transfers for $7.99 instead of $14.99. Worth checking their deals page before starting.
Phase 3: Confirming the Transfer
This is where people panic unnecessarily. After purchase:
- You'll receive approval emails from both registrars
- Must click approval link in BOTH emails
- Transfers usually complete in 5-7 days
- Domain remains active during transfer
Don't make my mistake: I almost missed the confirmation email because it went to spam. Check your junk folder religiously for messages from "[email protected]" or similar.
Post-Transfer: Critical Next Steps
The transfer completes... now what? Many guides stop here but this is when real work begins:
DNS and Email Configuration
If you were using your old registrar's nameservers:
- Your site and email will break after transfer
- Go to GoDaddy Dashboard > DNS Management
- Recreate all DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT)
Pro tip: Take screenshots of DNS settings BEFORE initiating transfer. Trust me, scrambling to remember obscure MX records at 2 AM isn't fun.
Renewal and Billing Settings
After transferring to GoDaddy:
| Setting | Where to Find | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Renew | Domain Settings > Renewal Options | ENABLE immediately |
| Payment Method | Account Settings > Billing | Add backup credit card |
| Expiration Alerts | Notification Preferences | Enable email and SMS alerts |
Expert Answers to Burning Questions
Will my website go down during the transfer?
Generally no, if you follow one rule: DO NOT change nameservers during transfer. Keep DNS settings exactly as they were until transfer completes. Your site stays live but email might experience brief interruptions when updating MX records later.
How long does transferring to GoDaddy really take?
Officially 5-7 days. In practice? My last three transfers took:
- Namecheap to GoDaddy: 4 days 18 hours
- Google Domains to GoDaddy: 3 days 2 hours
- Porkbun to GoDaddy: 6 days (slowest)
Why was my transfer rejected?
Common rejection reasons:
- Incorrect authorization code (happens 40% of first attempts)
- Domain locked at old registrar
- WHOIS privacy enabled
- Recent registration/update (<60 days)
- Expiring within 15 days
Can I cancel a transfer in progress?
Yes, but it's messy. You must contact BOTH registrars immediately. At GoDaddy, call support directly (800-381-7440) rather than using chat. I learned this when accidentally transferring a client's domain - took three calls to stop it.
Why Transfer to GoDaddy? The Real Pros and Cons
Having managed domains with 7 different registrars, here's my unfiltered take:
Advantages Worth Considering
- All-in-one dashboard: Manage domains/hosting/email in single interface
- 24/7 phone support: Actually useful when things break at midnight
- Bulk management tools: Lifesaver for agencies with 100+ domains
- Frequent promotions: First-year transfers often discounted
Drawbacks to Know About
- Upsell overload: Checkout process pushes add-ons aggressively
- Renewal price hikes: .com renewals jump to $19.99 after first year
- Interface clutter: Can feel overwhelming for beginners
The renewal pricing really bugs me. They lure you with cheap transfers then jack up prices. Solution? Set calendar reminders 30 days before renewal to check for coupons.
Transfer Troubleshooting: From Panic to Solution
Stuck in transfer limbo? Try these before screaming into a pillow:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Transfer pending" for >7 days | Missing approval at old registrar | Resend authorization email |
| Error during checkout | Authorization code mismatch | Copy-paste code (don't type) |
| Emails bouncing post-transfer | MX records not migrated | Recreate exact DNS records |
| Website offline after transfer | Nameservers reset to default | Restore custom nameservers |
When all else fails: Call GoDaddy support at 480-463-8389 (international) or 800-381-7440 (US). Have your customer number ready. Average wait times:
- Weekdays 9AM-noon PT: 8-12 minutes
- Weeknights: 20-35 minutes
- Weekends: Avoid if possible
Final Reality Check Before Transferring
Transferring domains to GoDaddy makes sense if:
- You manage multiple domains and want centralized control
- 24/7 phone support is non-negotiable
- You'll use GoDaddy for hosting/email anyway
But think twice if:
- Price sensitivity is your top concern
- You prefer minimalist interfaces (Cloudflare might suit you better)
- Transferring country-code domains (.co.uk, .ca etc) - their support varies
At the end of the day, successfully transferring a domain to GoDaddy comes down to preparation. Double-check that checklist, grab a coffee, and you'll be done before you know it. Just don't forget to re-enable privacy protection afterward - unless you enjoy spam calls from web designers.
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