question on transferring domain registration

[stndn]

(if this should go to a different forum section, please feel free to move it. i'm sure this does not really belong to software/games/etc forum, though..)

Right now i have my domains registered on registerfly and godaddy.

I'm planning on registering another domain name very soon. And at the same time, i want to renew my domain (that is almost expired) and i'm thinking of transferring it to whatever i choose later, so that i only need to manage the different domains from one account.

My question is .. when i'm doing the transfer, do i need to have my domain "unlocked" or i can leave it as "locked" and the domain will still transfer smoothly?

What does it really mean anyway? o.o?
(i'm not sure .. i'm just using the "recommendation" they provided me).

Also, if i'm doing this transfer, is there a chance that my site will be inaccessible for a few days while the transfer is ongoing, or will everything still be available as if i never did any domain transfer?


Another question, which i'm sure it's kinda beaten to death...
Which domain registrar would you recommend, when comparing godaddy vs namecheap?
Should i transfer everything to namecheap and save a few cents per year, or stick with godaddy?

Thanks all.

 

[DeviousTrap]

It must be unlocked. Locked means transfers will be rejected automatically.

I have a grudge against godaddy after they messed up one of my domains so I stick with namecheap or enom.

 

[jfall]

If the status of a domain name shows REGISTRAR-LOCK then it means that the domain cannot be transfered, you will need to contact your registrar about this.

When you transfer a domain to a new registrar it's generally renewed for 1 year.

The domain should continue resolving to the name servers it's pointed to during the transfer.

I have never had a problem with Godaddy.com

 

[RossMAN]

The domain must be UNLOCKED in order for the domain transfer to be successful.

Dump RegisterFly and stay with GoDaddy.com

 

[stndn]

gotcha.
i guess i'll go unlock my domain and transfer it somewhere better, then ...

i'll probably move it to namecheap just so that i can compare it with godaddy and see which one is better

thanks again -)

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: stndn
i'll probably move it to namecheap just so that i can compare it with godaddy and see which one is better

Great thinking. Who knows you may prefer GoDaddy over NameCheap (I'll call you a crazy bastard but hey ).

It's a two step process:
1) Login to your current domain registrar and UNLOCK your domain. Make sure it doesn't expire soon. If it expires within the next 30 days or so, it may not work.
2) Initiate the transfer request from the NEW domain registrar (NameCheap.com click TRANSFER at the top).

Good luck!