Domain Registrars

Just about all of us transfer domain names at least every once in while. Whether we are transferring a domain name because of a sale, to consolidate a portfolio, or to take advantage of a better price, domain transfers are an integral part of being a domain investor.

Unfortunately, it seems that many domain registrars make it very difficult to transfer out domain names. From hiding the authorization code request link, to taking a week to send the auth code, to taking several days to approve the transfer and release the name, and every other trick in between, it can be annoying to transfer domain names. It’s especially annoying when you have a huge sale pending the transfer.

In case there’s a company that wants to make it simple to transfer out domain names, here’s my idea of an ideal transfer (there are some companies that come pretty close to this, like eNom):

1) In my domain control panel, there’s a request authorization code link along with an unlock domain box.

2) The authorization code is emailed to me within one minute and the name is concurrently unlocked.

3) Immediately upon receiving a transfer request from the gaining registrar, the losing registrar sends an email with the registrant with a clear explanation of the transfer, letting the owner know they can click the link to immediately approve or cancel the transfer.

4) Within 1 business day, the name is released to the gaining registrar and a confirmation email is sent.

What do you think could be done to make transfers easier?

Last week I asked you to nominate your favorite domain name registrar, and I appreciate your nominations (15 domain registrars in total).

Now it’s time to see what domain registrar is preferred by people within the domain industry. I suppose this could be gamed by using social media, but I think it will give us a pretty good idea who you guys prefer.

Please vote in the poll below (listed alphabetically). I will reveal the winning company on Friday afternoon after the vote closes (vote closes at 4pm EDT).

Namecheap was voted the winner of LifeHacker’s Best Domain Name Registrar poll, which concluded early this morning. A little over 17,000 votes were cast for the five finalists: Dreamhost, Gandi, Hover, Namecheap, and Name.com.

In my opinion, there are many factors that make a domain registrar stand out from others. In no particular order, these factors include customer service, price, user interface, security, ease of transfers and account changes, extra fees, and additional services available. I am sure there are more factors and people would rate the importance of these factors differently.

I am interested to know which company domain investors favor when it comes to their domain name assets. Early next week, I will post a poll with the top ten or so nominees that you choose in the comment section below.

Nominate your favorite domain registrar, and I will post the poll next week with your choices.