Domain transfer later?

  • Unknown's avatar
    ctci21 · Member ·

    Hi, I am helping a nonprofit improve their website. They already have a domain and need to keep their current site active until the new build is complete. Can I build a free mock site on WordPress with plan to switch it to their existing domain (bringing it to WordPress) after the build is complete? TY

  • csabarakasz · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    You can certainly build a mock up site before transferring it, but the free version might not be enough, depending on what features, themes, plugins you need in order to build the full site.

    Here is an easy to compare site with the different plans, including the free one: https://wordpress.com/pricing/
    You can also check out the details of certain plans: https://wordpress.com/support/plan-features/

    I beleive you are able to tranfer your domain to your new WordPress.com site with no problem. Here is a description of that: https://wordpress.com/support/move-domain/incoming-domain-transfer/

    About Domain Transfers

    • Transferring a domain means your domain registration will be moved from your current domain provider or registrar (such as GoDaddy, 1&1, etc.) to WordPress.com.
    • Domain transfers can take anywhere from five to seven days to complete.
      Newly-registered domains cannot be transferred until they are at least 60 days old.
    • Our annual and two-year WordPress.com plans come with a free domain name credit for one year, which can be used to transfer your domain.
    • As part of the transfer process, your domain will be renewed for an additional year. If you just renewed the domain with your current provider, you will not lose that renewal. If your domain has already been renewed to the maximum possible term (ten years for most domains, though shorter for some country-code domain extensions), it won’t be possible to transfer until the domain becomes eligible for renewal again.
    • When the transfer completes, you will manage all aspects of your domain in your WordPress.com account, including renewal, cancellation, or a future transfer.
  • kokkieh · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    You can create a new WordPress.com site without transferring your domain, yes.

    All sites on WordPress.com get a free WordPress.com or .blog subdomain when the site is created, that functions just like any regular subdomain, and your site is fully online and accessible at that subdomain (provided you set it to public).

    So you can experiment and build your site at that free address, even upgrade the site while still using the free address, and only switch the domain over to us once you’re ready to take the existing site offline. If you find you need to use paid features for the example site, we offer a 14-day refund on all our plans if purchased for a full year, or 7 days if purchased monthly.

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