Welcome to the January 2012 issue of ZooNews, from professional website design company Zoonini Web Services.

Over the past year I've been transferring a lot of my clients' – and my own – domain registrations to a new company, due to the never-ending antics of my longtime registrar. (Just Google GoDaddy elephants or GoDaddy SOPA or GoDaddy sexist for the sordid details.)

Each time I go through the transfer process, it amazes me how many steps there are, and how long the saga can be dragged out unless you know all the tricks at each stage. I thought I'd share a few of the ins & outs that help make the process as smooth as possible.

First, avoid doing a domain transfer when you're very close to your renewal date. Give yourself lots of time, just in case something goes awry. A month is great – two weeks should be doable. A week is really cutting it close.

Be sure the domain is unlocked before starting the process, or your transfer will be denied. Domains are usually kept locked to prevent unauthorized transfers, so when you're ready to initiate a transfer make sure to go into your domain control panel and unlock it.

Make sure the contact email in your current account is up-to-date. Much of the transfer process relies on email notifications at every step, and if you're not getting notifications at the right address, it throws a huge wrench into the works. On the flip side, some registrars will deny a transfer if you've changed any registrant details within a few months of renewal, so be sure to look through your registrar's transfer FAQ before changing any contact information.

For most types of domains, you will need a special code from your current registrar. Because nothing is simple in the world of domain transfers, the code goes by many different names: EPP, authorization code, AuthInfo code, transfer key, transfer secret, and so on. Not only that, but simply locating it may not be obvious! You may have to look around for a while to find it – and take note that some registrars provide it directly in your control panel, while others will only email it to you. Again, if you get stuck, your registrar's transfer FAQ may provide clues.

Keep an eye on your email after you've submitted the transfer request and when you get an email from your new registrar, be sure to choose the option to accept the transfer. You should also get an email from your old registrar and/or see a note in your control panel that a transfer is pending, at which point you can manually approve the transfer by logging into your control panel and clicking in the right place. If you don't complete both these steps, your transfer will be either delayed by several days or blocked entirely.

Make a note of any services you may be using from your current registrar, such as domain parking, forwarding, email, custom DNS, or others. You will need to ensure that your new registrar offers the same services, and then once the transfer goes through, set up the equivalent services again. Be aware that there may be a time lag between when a service stops at your old registrar and when you can re-start it at your new registrar.

I know it seems like a lot to remember. Once you've done this a few times, it does go faster, but it's always a bit of a rigamarole. Good luck to all in your domain-transfer adventures!

While we're on the topic of domain registration... ever searched for a domain you wanted to buy and discovered that it's already taken, but not being used? The term domain squatting - also sometimes called cybersquatting – refers to the questionable practice of buying up and "sitting" on domain names you have no intention of ever using, in the hopes of making money by reselling them to someone else. I've always found this practice unethical, and others have used far harsher words. If the domain name you want happens to contain your trademark or business name you may be able to pursue the squatter legally, depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, or you can try to negotiate an acceptable price.

Got a technology term you'd like demystified in ZooNews? Send it to questions@zoonini.com.

I've been invited to speak on getting the most from your website at the Professional Organizers in Canada's Montreal chapter meeting on March 20 at 7 pm. I always enjoy working with professional organizers – several are clients, as well as POC itself – and everyone always says I must have been an organizer in another life! I look forward to sharing some tips on how organizers – and most small businesses – can use the web to benefit their company.

Location: Loblaws Community Room (2nd floor), 6600 Saint-Jacques in NDG. The cost is $20 for non-members, free for POC members.

I'll be attending Podcamp Toronto next month, for the second time. Taking place the weekend of Feb. 25-26 at Ryerson University in the heart of downtown Toronto, the event has evolved beyond podcasting and covers many topics related to web, social media, digital marketing, and tons more. I had an amazing time last year and look forward to reconnecting – or meeting – some of you there. Oh, and did I mention it's completely free? Hard to beat that for value!

À la prochaine,

kp
aka Kathryn Presner