Okay, if you recognize me, you know that I really hate Geocities paid plans. Goal: By the end of the month, be out of Geocities.

My big question is: What's the process to transfer your website from one host to another. I own my domain but, I don't know how to transfer. Getting files won't be a problem -- I've already got all that stuff backed up on my computer at home.

Also, I noticed that some people here use registrars (like registerfly.com or 000domains.com) to keep track of their domains? Why? Well, okay, I can understand going to a registrar for domain parking.

But what about a domain name for which I already have a website? What's the advantage of going to a registrar instead of letting the site host take care of that? Do you all recommend that I go to a registrar for my current and two future domains?



Thanks so much.

Since you already have your files backed up ready for upload to your new host the only issue is with your domain transfer.

Signup with your new host get their nameserver details from them and then ask Geocities or whoever has access to your domain details to change the existing nameserver details listed under your domain to the ones given to you by your new host.:)

Who did you register your domain with as most registrars allow you to login to a control panel of some sort and do the nameserver changes yourself?

As to the advantage of a registrar. AFAIK every domain has a registrar but many now give you as I mentioned a control panel, etc with which to login and change details of your domain yourself without having to rely on others to do it for you:)
So purchasing direct from these companies is often cheaper than through a webhost and you tend to have more control of the domain.

Hello,
When moving hosts you can either change the DNS (domain name server) on the domain to point to your new host or tranfer the domain to the new host.

If you take the first choice your billing and admin of the doamin will remain with your current host / registrar.
The second choice will move the billing responsibilty to your new host.

Most good hosting companies will be able to transfer the domain when you sign up. Many hosting comapnies are also registrars so you may not need to use a seperate registrar.

The only problem you may have when transfering you domain is if your current company need a release fee, they shouldnt but make sure.

When transfering a domain name you will submit a request via your chosen new company, an email will then be sent to the admin contact on the domain, a reply is needed to confirm transfer, this is then sent to the current registrar and so long as they accept the domain is transfered.

Hope this is clear.
Regards
James

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Originally posted by Angler
Who did you register your domain with as most registrars allow you to login to a control panel of some sort and do the nameserver changes yourself?

Um, right now, the domain is registered through geocities and there's no control panel to control my domain. Am thinking of RegisterFly.com over what I've read at SitePointForums. Two domains that I wanna park are definately going to RegisterFly.



As to the advantage of a registrar. AFAIK every domain has a registrar but many now give you as I mentioned a control panel, etc with which to login and change details of your domain yourself without having to rely on others to do it for you:)
So purchasing direct from these companies is often cheaper than through a webhost and you tend to have more control of the domain.

So, for this domain that I don't want to park, this domain that I already have a site for (though not a host in a few weeks)... Should I just transfer it to RegisterFly and making sure that's all done and then then approach a site host?

It doesn;t matter whether you approach the site host before or after. The most important thing is to find out how you can alter your DNS settings. You can try contacting geocities though I don;t know if they'll like it if you tell them you're transferring.


If you want to pay registerfly's fee's for the renewal of your present domain ( the one you already have a site for),
you can transfer it to them.

I'll be going to the other side soon too (still have to find the right host). But I think I can help with at least part of the registry thing.

BTW, don't even try to ask question from Geocities "unhelp"desk. They are pitiful.

Yahoo used to (and still does, if the current status of my domains is any indication) use Network Solutions as a registrar.

To check that, go to any whois server (e.g. http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois , they are probably your registrar anyway) and enter your domain name.

If it doesn't say that the info is provided by another registrar (and it cannot guarantee blah blah bla), you are good. Check that you are the administrative contact - and that THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOU IS VALID.

If it's the case, you are fine. Go to the "manage account" tab, enter you domain name, and you can start changing data. All modifications will have to be confirmed from the email account listed as administrative contact to work, though.

If the email address is different... you might have to contact Network Solutions directly.

When you have everything set up and ready with your new hosting company, you can change the billing contact over to yourself (or them, if the domain fee is part of their offer) and the technical contact to them, and modify the DNS server entries to your new hosts'.

Apparently most hosting companies will do this for you though - just make sure that the confirmation email from Network Solution can reach you.

I haven't gotten to that part yet :)

When your domain renewal time comes, you might want to switch registrar though - Network Solution charges outrageous prices to small users.


Agnes

Originally posted by acharrel
Yahoo used to (and still does, if the current status of my domains is any indication) use Network Solutions as a registrar.

To check that, go to any whois server (e.g. http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois , they are probably your registrar anyway) and enter your domain name.

If it doesn't say that the info is provided by another registrar (and it cannot guarantee blah blah bla), you are good. Check that you are the administrative contact - and that THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOU IS VALID.

Actually, I did the whois search through netsol and I did get the disclaimer, info provided by another registrar blah blah blah.

I shot off an e-mail to geocities help desk -- to ask which registrar they use for the domains -- around 48 hours ago and still no answer. Hm. In the past, they've responded within 24 hours to tell me that they can't help me. So.

But at least my contact info is correct.