Transfering Domain Names from GoDaddy to NameCheap
Domain registrar GoDaddy has found their customers jumping ship in a backlash against the company's endorsement of SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). Though GoDaddy said in a blog article published December 20th, 2011 that it was withdrawing it's support for SOPA, this seemingly is nothing more than a PR stunt to prevent customers from leaving.
Reddit users are calling for a boycott of GoDaddy on December 29, 2011. The following HowTo will guide you through transferring all of your domains from GoDaddy to NameCheap. Included is a discount code for $6.99 domain transfers and tips on how to expedite the release process.
In an effort to exercise my rights, I've transferred all my personal domains off of GoDaddy. NameCheap does not support SOPA. You may read their official stance on the subject in their blog linked at bottom of this page.
Step 1
Login to GoDaddy and navigate to Domain Management. Here you should see all your domains listed. Use the check box to Select All Domains.
Step 2
Click on the Locking icon to allow transfers.
Step 3
Uncheck Lock Domains and click OK.
Step 4
From the top menu click on the Tools tab and navigate to Exportable Lists.
Step 5
Click on Add New Export.
Step 6
Select All My Domains as the list type then click Next.
Step 7
Leave the defaults and check Authorization codes then click Next.
Step 8
Enter your name and generate the Exportable List by clicking finish.
Step 9
Download the Export List.
Note: GoDaddy will send you an email notification once the exportable list is available for download, this may take a few minutes.
Step 10
Create an account on NameCheap (Affiliate link opens in new window)
Step 11
Login to NameCheap and navigate to Transfer A Domain.
Step 12
In your favorite text editor, open the Export List you downloaded back in Step 10. Cut and past the Domain Name and corresponding Authorization Code so it looks like the example below, then click Start Transfer.
domainname.com, 12345678'1234'12
Step 13
You should now see a list of domains available to transfer. Confirm the domains are transferable and Add To Cart and then process your order. Get $6.99 per domain transfer using the coupon code SOPASucks.
Step 14
The domain transfer process is queued and may take several hours or even days to complete. You may check the status with NameCheap under the Manage Domain Transfers link. Once the status reads "Domain Transfer Initiate" you can expedite transfer by manually initializing release.
Step 15
Login into GoDaddy again, click on the Domain tab then navigate to Pending Transfers.
Step 16
Use the check box to select All Domains and click on the Accept/Decline icon. Next you'll see a pop-up window, select Accept and click OK.
Step 17
That's it. You're now free from SOPA supporting GoDaddy. In a few hours both registrars will send you an email confirming your actions.
