Changing a website domain name or transferring a domain from one GoDaddy account to another is a common question among website owners and businesses. Whether you want to rebrand, consolidate your domains, or transfer ownership, understanding the process and limitations is crucial.
a comprehensive guide on how to change a domain name to another GoDaddy account, the differences between domain transfer and domain change, and best practices to ensure a smooth transition.
Understanding Domain Name Changes vs Domain Transfers
First, it’s important to clarify the terminology. Changing a domain name and transferring a domain to another GoDaddy account are two distinct processes.
Changing a domain name means registering a new domain and switching your website to use that new domain. This does not move ownership or the domain itself; it simply means your website will now respond to a different domain.
Transferring a domain to another GoDaddy account, on the other hand, means moving the ownership of the exact same domain from one GoDaddy user to another. This is often called an account change or domain push.
Note: You cannot “rename” an existing domain name to a different domain name. Domain names are unique and permanent once registered. To use a new domain, you must register it separately.
Summary Table: Domain Name Change vs Domain Transfer
| Feature | Domain Name Change | Domain Transfer (Account Change) |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Switch website to a new domain (new registration) | Move domain ownership to another GoDaddy account |
| Effect on domain | New domain created; old domain remains with original owner | Same domain moves to different owner |
| Fees | Cost of registering a new domain | No transfer fee within GoDaddy accounts |
| Time required | Immediate after setup and DNS configuration | Usually instant or within minutes |
| Who can initiate | Domain registrant or website admin | Current domain owner (sender) and recipient |
Can I Change a Domain Name Within GoDaddy?
Directly changing a domain name to a different domain is not possible. Domains are registered individually and uniquely.
If you want to use a different domain name for your website, you need to:
- Register the new domain name through GoDaddy or any other registrar.
- Update your website settings to use the new domain.
- Configure DNS records and hosting to point to the new domain.
- Redirect traffic from the old domain to the new domain if needed.
This means your website can have a new domain name, but your old domain remains registered unless you cancel or let it expire.
What Happens to My Old Domain?
You can keep your old domain active, which is recommended to avoid losing visitors or SEO rankings. Using 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain can help preserve search engine rankings and provide a smooth user experience.
If you no longer want the old domain, you can simply let it expire or cancel it via your GoDaddy account.
How to Transfer a Domain to Another GoDaddy Account
If your goal is to move a domain from one GoDaddy account to another (for example, selling the domain or consolidating domains), GoDaddy offers a simple internal transfer process called an Account Change.
This transfer keeps the domain registration active and moves ownership instantly without any downtime or need to unlock or transfer out of GoDaddy. The process is free and fast.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer a Domain Within GoDaddy
- Log in to the GoDaddy account that currently owns the domain.
- Navigate to “My Products” and locate the domain(s) you want to transfer.
- Click on the domain name to open the Domain Settings page.
- Scroll down to the Additional Settings section and find Transfer domain to another GoDaddy account.
- Click Transfer and enter the recipient’s email address or GoDaddy customer number.
- Choose whether to keep the contact information or update it.
- Submit the transfer request.
- The recipient will receive an email with instructions to accept the domain into their GoDaddy account.
Once accepted, the domain ownership will be updated immediately. Both sender and recipient will receive confirmation emails.
Important Notes About Domain Transfers Within GoDaddy
- The domain must be at least 60 days old and not be within 60 days of a previous transfer (ICANN policy).
- Domains with privacy protection enabled might need to temporarily disable privacy services.
- If the domain is locked, GoDaddy will automatically unlock it for the account change.
- No domain expiration date changes or renewal fees are involved in this process.
Tip: Use the internal GoDaddy account change feature instead of transferring domains between registrars to avoid complex steps and delays.
What If I Want to Transfer the Domain to Another Registrar?
If the recipient uses a different domain registrar (not GoDaddy), you cannot use the internal account change process. Instead, you must perform a traditional domain transfer.
This process involves:
- Unlocking the domain at GoDaddy.
- Obtaining an authorization code (EPP code) from GoDaddy.
- Initiating the transfer at the new registrar with the authorization code.
- Confirming the transfer via email.
This type of transfer can take up to 5-7 days to complete and often includes a domain renewal fee at the new registrar.
How to Update Website and Email After Changing Domain Name
After registering a new domain or transferring ownership, you must update your website and email configurations to avoid downtime.
Website Configuration
- Update the domain name in your website hosting control panel or CMS settings (like WordPress).
- Modify DNS records to point the new domain to your hosting provider’s servers.
- Set up SSL certificates for the new domain to secure website traffic.
- Create 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain to maintain SEO and user access.
Email Configuration
- If you use email addresses with your old domain, you will need to set up new email accounts for the new domain.
- Update MX records and other email DNS settings to ensure proper mail delivery.
- Notify contacts about the change of email address to avoid lost communications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I rename my domain name? | No. Domains are unique identifiers and cannot be renamed. You must register a new domain to use a different name. |
| Is transferring a domain between GoDaddy accounts free? | Yes, transferring a domain to another GoDaddy account using the internal Account Change process is free and instant. |
| Can I transfer a domain immediately after registering it? | No. ICANN rules require domains to be 60 days old before they can be transferred to another registrar or account. |
| Will my website be down during domain transfer? | No. Domain transfers within GoDaddy do not cause downtime. For external transfers, ensure DNS settings are properly configured to avoid downtime. |
| Do I lose SEO rankings if I change my domain? | Not necessarily. Using 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain helps preserve SEO value. |
Conclusion
Changing your website’s domain name to a different one involves registering a new domain and configuring your website accordingly. You cannot directly rename an existing domain.
If you want to move the domain ownership to another GoDaddy account, use GoDaddy’s internal Account Change feature. This process is free, fast, and does not require unlocking or authorization codes.
Understanding these differences and following the correct procedures ensures your website and domain management are seamless, protecting your brand and online presence.
For further assistance, GoDaddy’s support team and knowledge base provide detailed guidance and help you troubleshoot any issues during transfers or domain updates.
