The easiest way transfer web hosting services – & Why Bluehost is better than GoDaddy

This step-by-step tutorial will show you transfer web hosting services from GoDaddy, purchase a new domain (if you need one), or transfer your current domain to Bluehost.

It’s been a loooong process for me to eventually transfer web hosting services – but it shouldn’t have been. So that others can benefit from my experience, without the headaches, I just have to write about how Bluehost is extremely superior to GoDaddy for web hosting & domain services.

Plus, you can pay only $3.95 a month – I know, I was pleasantly surprised by that too.

I own a few domains and have been slowly migrating them over from Godaddy to Bluehost over the years.
Today, after spending 6+ hours trying to simply transfer my last domain, I am FINALLY free from the death grip GoDaddy had on me.
No joke, a GoDaddy representative hung up (after having been on hold for far to long) on me when I requested to discontinue service with them.
Then just using a clean and simple chat on Bluehost, the kind representative helped migrate my entire blog over to the new domain I had transferred. It took less than 5 min…seriously!

Why you should transfer web hosting provider to Bluehost?

• Cost effective – only $3.95/month
• You get a free domain name with any hosting plan
• User-friendly interface
• WordPress comes preinstalled
• Fast page loading speed
• Good security options
• 24/7 exceptional customer support
• It comes highly recommending and it’s widely used by bloggers

Yup, It’s time to make the switch. Here’s how:

How to transfer your domain when you transfer web hosting services to Bluehost from Godaddy.

Step 1 – Back up your WordPress

Because you’re previous content is important, and I you don’t want to lose it!
– This is super simple & free using the UpdraftPlus plugin.

Here is a quick video to show you how to do it if you’re unfamiliar with using plugins on wordpress.

Step 2 – Unlock Domain

If you already own a domain and just want to transfer web hosting services, proceed with this step 2b.

2a. Don’t have a domain? Get Hosting through Bluehost:

First things first, you will need to have your domain hosted on Bluehost.
It’s easy, CLICK HERE.
For just $3.95/month you can quickly sign up for a hosting account with Bluehost.

CLICK HERE TO SET UP HOSTING WITH BLUEHOST

2b. If you already own the domain with a different hosting company:

I followed this quick video & it was very easy.
Or follow written instructions below:

• Unlock Domain from current hosting. Here are instructions from GoDaddy if you don’t know how.

Step 3 – Get Authorization Code

• Request the Authorization Code from GoDaddy just below the unlock toggle.
• Check your email for code GoDaddy will send. You will need to copy it to paste later to allowing Bluehost to request your domain from GoDaddy.

Step 4 – Request Domain Transfer

• Log into your Bluehost account – Go to your Domain Manager. If you don’t have one, simply get one here.
• Click Transfer in the submenu at the top of the page.
• Enter the domain you want to transfer to your account, without www, and click Continue.
• Bluehost’s system will check the domain’s status to determine if it’s ready for the transfer. Remember, the transfer won’t be approved if it’s still locked. Enter the EPP code (it’s the verification code that we requested from GoDaddy that was sent to your email) and click Continue.
• Here you have the option to change your name servers, set your renewal preference, and choose if you want to add domain privacy.
• Finally, check the box agreeing to the Terms of Service, then click Add to Cart.
• ICANN requires the gaining registrar (bluehost) to renew the domain for one year upon transfer, which you’ll see in the Shopping Cart.
• Process the payment to initiate the transfer.
  

Step 4 – Approve the transfer

• It can take up to five days for a domain transfer to complete, but some registrars (including GoDaddy) will allow you to expedite it by manually approving the transfer. To do this, go to your domain manager on GoDaddy. In the domain you’re requesting to transfer, click accept.
• In the meantime, you can check its progress by following these steps:

Need more assistance? Hop on a chat with a Bluehost Representative or check out Domain Transfer Troubleshooting from GoDaddy for more information.

While writing this post, I remembered that this amazingly awkward “girl leaning on computer monitor smiling” image from a Rubberball stock photo shoot back in 2007 existed – so hilarious!

Photo behind pin-able image Designed by Rawpixel.com

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