this may be a dumb question but....

when exactly do you need to transfer a domain?

suppose I have a domain name registered at namecheap. the domain name is hosted at ISP1. If I sign up for webhosting at ISP2, I will just login to my account at namecheap and update the DNS names according to what ISP2 tells me. namecheap lets me do it for free. how is this different then transfering the domain? what am I missing?

Domain transfer means you are changing the registrars. It has nothing to do with hosts.

Some of hosts do advice you to change the registrars but it is NOT at all needed.

You can easily change the registrar by transfering the domain whenever you want.

For example : if your domain name is with namecheap and you want to transfer the domain to any other registrar then you need to submit the domain transfer request from your new registrar's end.

Originally posted by CSDesk
Domain transfer means you are changing the registrars. It has nothing to do with hosts.

Some of hosts do advice you to change the registrars but it is NOT at all needed.

You can easily change the registrar by transfering the domain whenever you want.

For example : if your domain name is with namecheap and you want to transfer the domain to any other registrar then you need to submit the domain transfer request from your new registrar's end.

Very good. so I can transfer all of my domains to one registrar (i.e. name cheap) but host my websites at a different host (i.e hostgator, bluewho, etc) as long as I point my DNS at my registrar to my host's DNSs?

Exactly, all you have to do is to get the DNS settings from the web hosts and update them with your registrars.

You can keep domains with different registrars also.

Beware of those hosts who request you to change the registrars / transfer domains to their FAVOURITE registrars etc.

Namecheap / registerfly are some of good and safe registrars in the market with whom you can keep 1000s of domains without any issue.

Originally posted by CSDesk
Exactly, all you have to do is to get the DNS settings from the web hosts and update them with your registrars.

You can keep domains with different registrars also.

Beware of those hosts who request you to change the registrars / transfer domains to their FAVOURITE registrars etc.

Namecheap / registerfly are some of good and safe registrars in the market with whom you can keep 1000s of domains without any issue.

Thanks!!

You are welcome Asif.

masif2000, you got great answers from CSDesk. Allow me to add
more.

There's a lot of "cherry picking" going around, hosting companies
taking advantage of people's "ignorance" on how domain names
work by asking them to transfer their domains to them instead of
letting it remain with their chosen providers. It's good you took
time to ask about this.

Also, the only time you do need to transfer your domain name to
the other party when using their hosting services is if their legal
fine prints (i.e. terms of service, service agreement, etc.) do say
that your domain name must be with them in order to use them.

Overall, it's better to have your domain name at one place and
your hosting at another. In fact, one of my favorite forums was
recently hacked into, but the domain name was untouched.

Just other things to consider.

If you ask my personal opinion, I would never transfer the domain name to the hosting provider. I mean if I want to purchase hosting and if they demand the domain name transfer, I would never agree on that.

I would always keep your domain name and hosting seperate. There are many horror stories I have seen keeping both with the same provider

Originally posted by dmaven
I would always keep your domain name and hosting seperate. There are many horror stories I have seen keeping both with the same provider

Thanks you all guys.

I am really glad I asked.

dmaven, I din't even know I had an option. lol.

Thanks again y'all

Sometimes the hosts change the contact info to their own after transfering the domain to their favourite registrars, which is wrong - I guess. Cause it stops / avoids / create problems when you want to transfer the domain name after cancelling / closing hosting package with them.

I dont know about others but I prefer to keep my Contact info ( Specially e-mail ) in all Admin / technical / billing / registrant contact info.

Originally posted by masif2000
Thanks you all guys.

I am really glad I asked.

dmaven, I din't even know I had an option. lol.

Thanks again y'all

Many folks suprisingly do not know you do have an option.