Your domain name is one of the most important parts of your online business. It connects customers to your website, supports your professional email addresses and provides a consistent identity for your organisation.
But what happens when you want to move your domain from one registration provider to another?
Perhaps your current provider is expensive, you are experiencing support difficulties, or you simply want to manage your domain, website hosting and business email through one company.
Whatever the reason, transferring a domain requires careful preparation.
A poorly planned transfer can create confusion around domain ownership, DNS settings, renewal dates and email configuration. In some cases, mistakes can interrupt access to your website or business email.
The good news is that a domain transfer can be managed safely when you understand the process and prepare properly.
In this guide, we explain how domain transfers work in Zimbabwe, what information you need, how to prepare your domain and how to avoid unnecessary disruption when moving to a new registrar.
What Is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer is the process of moving the management of a registered domain name from one registrar to another.
For example, a business may currently have its domain registered with Provider A but decide to transfer it to Tremhost.
After a successful transfer, the new registrar becomes responsible for managing the domain registration.
This may allow the business to manage its domain alongside other services offered by the new provider.
It is important to understand that a domain transfer is not the same as website migration.
A domain transfer changes the registrar responsible for the domain registration. Website migration moves website files, databases and related applications from one hosting environment to another.
You can transfer a domain without moving your website hosting.
Similarly, you can move website hosting without transferring the domain to another registrar.
Understanding this difference helps prevent unnecessary changes during the transfer process.
Why Would You Transfer Your Domain to Another Provider?
There are several reasons a business might consider transferring its domain.
1. Consolidate Your Digital Services
Some businesses manage their domains, website hosting and professional email through different companies.
This can create additional administrative work, especially when DNS changes or technical assistance are required.
Moving your domain to a provider that also offers hosting and business email may make it easier to manage related services through one account.
2. Improve Access to Domain Management
You may want a provider that offers convenient domain management, clear renewal information and access to DNS settings.
Having an account that your business can directly manage is important for maintaining control of its online identity.
3. Review Domain Registration Costs
Domain registration and renewal prices vary between providers and extensions.
Before transferring, compare the applicable transfer fee, renewal charges and future registration costs.
Do not judge a provider solely by the advertised transfer price. Consider the total cost of maintaining the domain.
4. Get More Convenient Technical Support
If you frequently need assistance with DNS configuration, nameservers, website connections or email settings, you may prefer a provider that offers support for the services you use.
A transfer can be an opportunity to organise your domain management more effectively.
5. Improve Your Business Account Management
A domain should remain under the control of the business rather than depending entirely on an individual developer or former employee.
Moving to an account controlled by the organisation can help establish clearer ownership and access arrangements.
What Do You Need Before Transferring a Domain?
Before initiating a domain transfer, make sure you have the necessary information and access.
The exact requirements depend on the domain extension and the registrars involved.
Domain Name
You need the exact domain you want to transfer.
For example:
yourcompany.co.zw
or
yourcompany.com
Check that the domain is active and that you are authorised to manage its registration.
Access to Your Current Registrar
You should be able to access the account where the domain is currently registered.
This is normally where you manage domain settings, update contact information and request transfer authorisation.
If a web designer or another person manages the account, arrange the necessary access before starting.
Domain Transfer Authorisation Code
Many generic top-level domains use an authorisation code, commonly called an EPP code or Auth code.
This code helps verify that the transfer has been authorised by the current domain holder.
You may need to request it through your existing registrar’s dashboard or support team.
However, not every domain extension uses the same transfer process. Some country-code domains have additional registry-specific requirements.
Always confirm the procedure for your particular extension.
Access to Your Registered Email Address
Transfer notifications and verification requests may be sent to the contact email address associated with the domain.
Make sure you can access that mailbox before starting.
If the registered email address is no longer active, update it through the current registrar where permitted and follow the relevant verification requirements.
Current DNS Information
Before transferring, record your existing DNS configuration.
Important records may include:
- A records.
- AAAA records.
- CNAME records.
- MX records.
- TXT records.
- Nameserver settings.
This information is particularly important if your website and email are already working correctly.
Keeping a copy of the existing configuration makes it easier to identify and correct problems if settings need to be recreated.
How to Transfer Your Domain to Tremhost
If you want to move an eligible domain to Tremhost, the process generally involves the following steps.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Domain Is Eligible for Transfer
Before beginning, confirm that your domain extension supports the transfer process offered by Tremhost.
Some domain extensions have restrictions involving:
- Recent registration.
- Previous transfers.
- Pending ownership changes.
- Domain disputes.
- Registration status.
- Outstanding verification requirements.
Some generic domains are subject to standard transfer eligibility restrictions, while country-code domains may follow different registry procedures.
For .co.zw and other Zimbabwe-related extensions, confirm the current registry requirements before initiating a transfer.
Step 2: Prepare Your Current Domain Account
Log in to the account where your domain is currently registered.
Check the domain’s status, contact details and available transfer settings.
If your extension requires a domain unlock, follow the current registrar’s instructions.
Do not change settings unnecessarily. Only make the changes required by the applicable transfer procedure.
Step 3: Obtain the Transfer Authorisation Details
For extensions that require an EPP or Auth code, request the code from your existing registrar.
Keep it private and share it only through the new registrar’s authorised transfer process.
If your domain extension uses a different transfer procedure, follow the instructions supplied by the relevant registry or registrar.
Step 4: Initiate the Transfer Through Tremhost
Visit the Tremhost Domain Registration Portal.
Locate the domain transfer option, enter the domain name and provide the required authorisation information where applicable.
Review the displayed transfer price and applicable conditions before proceeding.
Step 5: Complete Payment and Verification
Follow the checkout instructions and complete the required payment.
Some transfers require additional verification or approval through email.
Monitor your registered email address and respond to legitimate transfer confirmation requests.
Do not approve unexpected transfer requests that you did not initiate.
Step 6: Monitor the Transfer
Once the request has been submitted, monitor the transfer status through the relevant account or support channel.
Processing times vary according to the domain extension, registry and registrar procedures.
If additional verification is requested, provide the necessary information promptly.
Step 7: Confirm the Domain Is Under Your New Account
After the transfer is completed, log in to your new registrar account.
Check that:
- The domain appears in your account.
- The registration information is correct.
- The expiry date is accurate.
- DNS and nameserver settings are correct.
- Available domain management features are accessible.
Keep a record of the successful transfer for your business documentation.
Will Transferring My Domain Affect My Website?
A registrar transfer does not automatically require you to move your website.
Your website may continue working throughout the transfer if the existing DNS and hosting arrangements remain intact.
However, problems can occur if nameservers or DNS records are changed incorrectly.
For example, if your domain uses one provider’s nameservers and those are replaced with new nameservers that do not contain the correct website records, visitors may be unable to reach your website.
Before transferring:
- Identify where your website is hosted.
- Record the existing nameservers.
- Save the important DNS records.
- Confirm whether the new registrar will retain the existing nameservers.
- Avoid unnecessary DNS changes during the transfer.
- Test the website after the transfer is completed.
If you are only transferring the registration, there may be no reason to change your hosting provider or website files.
Will Transferring My Domain Affect Business Email?
It can, particularly if the DNS configuration is changed during the process.
Business email depends on the correct DNS records directing messages to the appropriate mail servers.
For example, MX records identify where incoming email should be delivered.
Other records, including SPF, DKIM and DMARC, support email authentication and delivery.
If these records are lost or replaced with incorrect values, your business may experience email delivery problems.
Before transferring:
- Record your current MX records.
- Save your SPF configuration.
- Record your DKIM and DMARC settings.
- Confirm which provider currently hosts your email.
- Avoid changing email-related DNS records without a clear reason.
- Send and receive test messages after any DNS changes.
If your email service is hosted separately from your domain registrar, it may be possible to retain the existing email service throughout the transfer.
The important thing is to preserve the correct DNS configuration.
For businesses looking for professional domain-based email, explore Tremhost Business Email Hosting.
How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take?
There is no single transfer time that applies to every domain extension.
Some transfers may be processed relatively quickly, while others require additional approvals or registry verification.
The process can depend on:
- The domain extension.
- The current registrar.
- The receiving registrar.
- Whether authorisation is completed promptly.
- Whether additional verification is required.
- The applicable registry transfer rules.
Before planning a website launch or other important business activity, allow sufficient time for the transfer to complete.
For country-code domains, check the specific registry process rather than assuming the same timelines used for .com domains.
Common Domain Transfer Mistakes to Avoid
Changing Nameservers Without Preparing DNS
Changing nameservers without recreating the necessary DNS records can interrupt your website and email.
Always understand where your existing DNS is hosted and what will happen to those records after the transfer.
Losing Access to the Registered Email Address
If you cannot access the email address used for domain verification, you may experience delays.
Confirm that the registered contact details are correct before initiating the transfer.
Forgetting About Email Hosting
A domain transfer does not automatically migrate your email accounts or messages.
If your business email is hosted separately, make sure the relevant MX and authentication records remain correctly configured.
Cancelling Your Existing Hosting Too Early
Do not cancel your old hosting service simply because the domain transfer has been submitted.
If the website is still hosted with the old provider, cancelling that service could take your website offline.
Only cancel services after confirming that the relevant migration and testing have been completed.
Ignoring Renewal Dates
Check your domain’s expiry date before starting a transfer.
A domain approaching expiry may require special attention, depending on its extension and registration status.
Allow enough time to complete the transfer or renew the domain through the appropriate provider.
Sharing Authorisation Codes Carelessly
Transfer codes are sensitive information.
Only provide them through the authorised transfer process and avoid sharing them through public channels or with unverified individuals.
Should You Transfer Your Domain and Hosting at the Same Time?
Not necessarily.
A domain transfer and website migration are separate activities, and combining them may introduce additional complexity.
If your website is working correctly, one approach is to transfer the domain registration first while keeping the existing hosting configuration intact.
Once the domain is successfully managed through the new registrar, you can assess whether moving the website hosting is necessary.
Alternatively, you may prefer to plan both changes together if you are moving all your digital services to one provider.
Whichever approach you choose, document the existing configuration and test your website and email before cancelling any old services.
Tremhost provides both domain registration and shared web hosting, allowing businesses to explore these services through one provider.
Why Consider Transferring Your Domain to Tremhost?
Tremhost provides domain registration services for individuals, startups and established businesses in Zimbabwe.
Businesses can use the domain portal to explore supported extensions and manage their domain services.
Tremhost also offers related services, including:
- Shared web hosting.
- Business email hosting.
- WordPress hosting.
- VPS hosting.
- Managed cybersecurity solutions.
For businesses looking to coordinate their domain, website hosting and professional email services, having these options available through one provider can simplify administration.
Before placing a transfer order, confirm that your domain extension is supported and review the applicable transfer requirements and fees.
Explore Tremhost Domain Services
Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Transfers in Zimbabwe
What is a domain transfer?
A domain transfer moves the registration management of a domain from one registrar to another. It does not automatically move the website or email hosting.
Can I transfer my domain from another hosting company to Tremhost?
You may be able to transfer an eligible domain to Tremhost, depending on the extension and applicable registry requirements. Confirm transfer availability before starting.
Do I need an EPP code to transfer my domain?
Many generic domain extensions require an EPP or Auth code. Other extensions may use different verification procedures. Check the requirements for your specific domain.
Will my website go offline during a domain transfer?
Not necessarily. A registrar transfer does not automatically interrupt your website. Problems are more likely if nameservers or DNS records are changed incorrectly.
Will I lose my business emails when transferring my domain?
Not automatically. However, incorrect MX or other DNS changes can interrupt email delivery. Record your existing email configuration and verify it after any changes.
Can I transfer a domain without changing hosting providers?
Yes. You can transfer the domain registration while keeping your website hosted with the existing provider, provided the DNS configuration remains correct.
How much does a domain transfer cost in Zimbabwe?
The price depends on the domain extension and registrar. Check the transfer fee and whether the transfer includes a registration extension before ordering.
Can I transfer an expired domain?
This depends on the domain extension, expiry status and applicable registry rules. Contact your current registrar before attempting a transfer.
Can I transfer a .co.zw domain?
The process depends on the current registry requirements and the providers involved. Confirm the transfer procedure and any verification requirements before submitting your request.
Should I transfer my domain before moving my website?
Not necessarily. The two activities are separate. Plan the order based on your hosting arrangements, DNS configuration and operational requirements.
Move Your Domain Management to Tremhost
Your domain is a valuable part of your business identity. If you are considering changing registrars, the most important thing is to complete the transfer carefully and retain control of your website and email configuration.
By preparing your account details, confirming transfer eligibility, preserving DNS records and following the correct verification process, you can make the transition more manageable.
If you want to explore transferring an eligible domain to Tremhost, start with the domain registration portal.
Manage your domain with confidence and keep your business connected.
