Domain Name Registrars

[wraith808]

I have 12 domains registered with GoDaddy, and I want to switch to another registrar for a variety of reasons.

What's the best way (other than re-registering each as they expire) to transfer them wholesale to another registrar?

And can anyone recommend any other registrars?

Thanks!

[mouser]

other than re-registering each as they expire

don't even think about that.

[Armando]

>> What's the best way (other than re-registering each as they expire) to transfer them wholesale to another registrar?

Not sure what's the best way.

I can however tell you that I've been using Namecheap for the last 9 years without any pain. Lots of features, not too expensive, good customer service IMO... Your mileage may vary.

[4wd]

Another vote for NameCheap, they had a special around Christmas where you could transfer your domains to them for ~$3 each, (IIRC), and they threw in an extra year of registration.

[wraith808]

The four I'm currently looking at are namecheap, name, 1&1, pairnic and ghandi.  The major appeal of 1&1, pairnic, and ghandi is that even though their prices are a bit more, they include privacy, instead of you having to pay extra for it.

I do see that you just end up paying for a year's extension when transferring, and can transfer them in bulk- so that part of the equation is solved.  I've just only used network solutions and godaddy, so didn't know what was a good service.  Two of them are also nameservers, but other than that, I don't have any special requirements.

[Stoic Joker]

I've been with Hover (used to be DomainDirect) since the mid 90's and have always had good luck with them. There were a few hiccups when they changed hands, but the new support crew handles it quickly and without hassle.

The also discount the registration fees (~30%) when doing a transfer, which I thought was a nice feature.

[wraith808]

In case anyone else is looking... hover has free private registration also.

[rgdot]

FWIW name.com and namecheap are the two I would recommend.

[Deozaan]

I use DreamHost. Mostly because I used to use them as my webhost. But they do include privacy in the price of domain registration, which is why I never changed registrars thus far.

[Vurbal]

I ended up going with 1&1 for my domain last December but that wasn't a transfer - a domain I let lapse through GoDaddy several months prior actually - and all I'm using it for right now is email and IMAP access. I don't remember all the specifics of my own decision but I do recall it largely came down to bottom line price due to a lack of concrete long term plans for the domain. I've definitely never regretted my choice.

Based on what I've read over the years I actually had Namecheap and Name.com on my short list and my research last year just confirmed my initial impressions of both.

[x16wda]

I've been using 1&1 for my domains without an issue for several years.  Added some, changed some packages, cancelled some, no problem (once you find the right place to cancel).  Registered domains for my son and daughter for Christmas last year with them too.

[justice]

If you are still looking I can second Hover. As a nice bonus when you transfer domains to them they will add a year to your current expiry date, rather than from the point of transfer.

[wraith808]

I'm not actually doing this until next month, so keep the suggestions and recommendations coming!  And thanks!

[wraith808]

I had a fit of inspiration, and was going to register a new domain in the meantime until I transferred my others.  I tried 1&1 and the site was down.  Needless to say, I won't be going with them... 

[Vurbal]

Your inspiration apparently has good timing. Maybe it really just wanted to make sure you saw that.

[wraith808]

Your inspiration apparently has good timing. Maybe it really just wanted to make sure you saw that.

That is an excellent way of looking at it.