transferring a domain to WordPress

  • Unknown's avatar
    thrivinghiveconsulting · Member ·

    Hi,
    I purchased a domain for my site from Register.com three years ago, then ended up actually building the site on WordPress. I pointed the domain at my WordPress site, but I realize now that it would have been simpler and cheaper to purchase my domain from WordPress directly.

    My domain is now up for renewal at Register.com, and I’m wondering if there is any way to transfer it to WordPress. If not, would it work to release the domain name completely and then re-register it with WordPress? (I realize there is some risk that someone else would ‘grab’ it in the interval….).

    Thanks,
    Vivian

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    Hi Vivian –

    We never recommend that you let a domain expire in order to re register it elsewhere. As you’ve mentioned, the big risk is that someone else registers it first, or a domain squatter snatches it up.

    WordPress.com is not able to accept incoming domain transfers. Instead you’ll use domain mapping and leave the domain registered with the current company.

  • Unknown's avatar
    dogwalkingvictoriabc · Member ·

    So is it then possible to buy a domain on GoDaddy, and switch it out with our current “.wordpress.com” domain without changing anything about the website and its layout? I’d buy the domain with WordPress, but it’s tying to charge me $129 per year, and GoDaddy is only $19.99

  • Unknown's avatar
    thrivinghiveconsulting · Member ·

    Hey dogwalking, sounds like you’re wanting to do with GoDaddy what I originally did with Register.com. I haven’t really used GoDaddy, but if they are like Register.com, they will let you point your domain at any website you want (“mapping”). The only difference is that after your visitors type in your web address, it will jump to your WordPress URL instead of remaining with your domain URL. But the page content and layout will be identical.

    The prices you’re quoting are confusing, though. WordPress’s least expensive (“Personal”) package is $36 per year ($2.99 a month). If you’re just wanting a domain name, that should do the job. Register.com is $37 per year… not a huge difference, but I thought it would be more convenient to have it all in one place instead of having to do mapping.

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    dogwalkingvictoriabc – You can map a domain that you already own elsewhere (like GoDaddy or Register.com) to your WordPress.com account via domain mapping. This is included in our plan upgrades and is no longer available as a stand alone upgrade. The WordPress.com personal plan includes the mapping you need and is only $35.88/year. The plan upgrades also give you access to priority live chat and email support. See here: wordpress.com/pricing/

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    yourtaxdollars –

    I just want to clarify this point:

    I haven’t really used GoDaddy, but if they are like Register.com, they will let you point your domain at any website you want (“mapping”). The only difference is that after your visitors type in your web address, it will jump to your WordPress URL instead of remaining with your domain URL

    When you set up domain mapping and you choose your custom domain to be the primary domain, that is what will show in the browser. If someone types in your free .wordpress.com site address it will automatically forward to your custom domain. Visitors will not see your free site address so long as your custom domain is set to be the primary domain.

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