Migrating your domain name

ShopWired does not provide a domain registration service, so you cannot move your domain name's registration to ShopWired.

If your website's domain name is registered with a third-party company, and not with your existing website provider, you do not need to migrate it to ShopWired. Instead, you can just change the DNS settings to point it at ShopWired's servers read more here.

If your website's domain name is registered with your existing website provider, you may need to transfer the domain name away from that platform so that you can launch your ShopWired website on the domain name. Whether or not this is required (or if your existing provider will let you keep the domain registration with them, but have the domain pointing at ShopWired) depends on the existing provider—you will need to check with them directly.

If you need to move your domain name away from your existing website provider, you will need to transfer the domain to a new domain name registrar. ShopWired recommends using GoDaddy for your domain name, but you can use any domain registrar.

The process of moving your domain name will follow these steps:

1. Transfer your domain name to a new registrar (e.g. GoDaddy)
2. Keep your domain name pointing to your existing website provider
   • When transferring your domain name, ensure that its existing DNS settings remain unchanged
3. When you are ready to make your ShopWired website live, change the DNS settings on the domain name

ShopWired advises transferring your domain name in preparation for making your ShopWired website live and not attempting to complete all steps at the same time.

During the transfer, your domain name will not experience any downtime:

• During the migration of your domain name to a new registrar, it will remain live and available (your existing/old website will be displayed)
• When you change your domain name's DNS settings, visitors will either see your existing website or your new ShopWired website

Whichever domain registrar you choose to migrate your domain name's registration to, the migration process is always simple. You should consult your new domain registrar for specific instructions on how to migrate the domain name. For example, GoDaddy has a specific help guide which details every step in the process.

You should not be charged a fee for transferring your domain to a new registrar, but the registrar may require you to renew the domain name during the transfer (e.g. purchase another year of domain registration). Whether this is a requirement or not is determined by the domain registrar.