You do not have to pay a fortune to switch your domain to a new registrar. A domain transfer can relieve stress if you are tired of hidden costs, a confusing dashboard, or high renewal fees. 

If you want to transfer your domain, this guide will walk you through the expected costs, smart tips to save you more, and the actual domain transfer process. 

Plus, if you have a Kenyan website, we’ll tell you which domain registrar offers the best prices, has a hassle-free domain transfer process, and offers local support for your domain. 

How Much Is a Domain Transfer In Kenya?

To transfer your domain to a new registrar in Kenya, you need to consider a price range to compare different registrars. 

Domain transfer costs depend on many factors, such as the registrar, add-on costs, and the domain extension. 

Here’s a price comparison of the average domain transfer costs for different extensions. 

Domain Extension	Average Transfer cost	Truehost Costs	Host Africa Costs
.co.ke	Ksh. 700-1500	Ksh. 1000 (1 year). Current offer is KSh 399	Ksh. 463
.org	Ksh. 1200-2000	Ksh. 1900 (1 year)	Ksh. 2000
.com	Ksh. 1300-2000	Ksh. 1500 (1 year)	Ksh. 2120
.net	Ksh. 1400- 2000	Ksh. 1900 (1 year)	Ksh. 1868
.africa	Ksh. 1600- 2300	Ksh. 2000 (1 year)	Ksh. 2299

How to Transfer a Domain for Cheap

After the price comparison, you know how much it costs to do a domain transfer in Kenya. If you want to save more or do a domain transfer within your budget, here are a few tips: 

Look Out For Transfer Promotions

Domain registrars run domain transfer offers on special occasions or for new customers. When looking for a registrar, compare the different companies and the extra perks they offer customers. 

You can also time your domain transfer during promotional seasons, such as the end of the year or company anniversaries, to see if they have deals. 

While saving cash is good, you can also look for free add-ons or bonus features such as free WHOIS privacy. 

If you have identified registrar companies to work with, follow their pages or newsletters to know when they have offers. Also research about coupons and see if you can apply them during domain transfers to save extra. 

Choose Bundle Package

Instead of doing a domain transfer and then buying hosting separately, you can combine everything you need and buy it as a bundle for a cheaper price. 

If your preferred domain registrar does not offer a domain transfer bundle package, you can ask if it can be customized for your needs. 

Avoid Last Minute Domain Transfers

Transferring a domain right before it expires can result in unexpected costs. For example, if you are currently on auto-renewal, you may incur renewal costs when transferring the domain to a new registrar.

Also, you can experience propagation delays, leaving you stranded with your domain. Take advantage of the time and transfer your domain two weeks before expiry. To achieve this, you must start the process at least a month and a half before the domain name’s expiry. 

Research About Add-Ons

To avoid spending money on unnecessary add-ons, research which ones are necessary. 

Sometimes, domain registrars promote add-ons by labelling them in a confusing manner that might lead you to think you need to buy them. For example:

• Premium DNS – you do not need one if you are not running an enterprise
• Email hosting – you will have a basic email that comes with the domain
• Advanced security – your registrar provides basic security with the domain
• Backup services – you don’t need them if you have hosting

If you feel stranded about add-ons, ask support what add-on services are necessary and describe what the add-ons do for your site.

How To Transfer a Domain In Kenya

Now that you know how to transfer a domain for cheap in Kenya, let’s examine the process step by step.

Choose a New Registrar

First, you need a reliable new registrar for the domain transfer. Registrars have different offers and terms for domain transfer. Look for:

• Affordability – compare different prices
• Free or affordable WHOIS privacy
• Responsive support team
• Easy-to-use control panel

True Host Kenya is a good option if you are looking for a new domain registrar that ticks all those boxes. Plus, it meets strict industry standards, making it reliable for domain transfers. 

Unlock Your Domain

Most domain names are locked to prevent unauthorized transfer. To transfer your domain, you need to unlock it by:

1. Logging into your registrar’s dashboard
2. Find domain settings and turn off the domain lock

While unlocking the domain, ensure no outstanding fees will delay or hinder the domain transfer. 

Get the EPP Code

An EPP code is a unique authorization key required when transferring a domain to another registrar. It is a security guard that prevents illegal domain transfers. Without an EPP code, a domain transfer cannot proceed. 

You can get an EPP code by:

• Requesting via email
• Contacting support
• On the registrar’s dashboard account

Initiate the Domain Transfer

After getting the EPP code, go to your new registrar’s dashboard and start the domain transfer process.

For example, True host Kenya domain transfer process is:

1. Log in to your Truehost client area account.
2. Navigate to the domain transfer section.
3. Enter the domain name you want to transfer.
4. Provide the EPP code. 
5. Choose any add-ons you want (like DNS management, email forwarding, ID protection).
6. Complete the order by selecting your preferred payment method and making the payment.
7. After payment, Truehost initiates the transfer process with the current registrar.
8. You may receive confirmation emails from both registrars to approve the transfer.
9. Once approved and processed, the domain will be transferred to Truehost, and your domain registration will be extended by one year.

Approve Domain Transfer Through Email

After initiating the domain name transfer, the current registrar sends an approval email where you should click the confirmation link to give transfer permission. 

Sometimes, emails get stuck in spam; check if you do not receive the approval email. You can also contact support if you miss or accidentally delete the email.

Wait for Completion

Domain transfers are not automatic; they take time. Depending on the registrar’s policies and domain extensions, you may have to wait up to 7 days for completion. 

After everything is set, you should receive a confirmation email and have your domain under your new registrar. 

Why Do You Need a Domain Transfer?

If you have had one domain registrar for a while, here are some solid reasons to consider a domain transfer:

Cut Cost On Renewal

Unfortunately, there are domain registrars that lure customers with cheap registration fees and hike renewal costs. It is essential to compare the prices of domain renewal fees, not just registration fees.

If the domain renewal fee with your current registrar is draining your budget, consider switching to one that fits within your budget. 

Customer Support

It can be frustrating to wait hours for support when you have a domain or hosting issue. Sometimes, working with global companies can make it hard to get instant support every day of the week. 

It is crucial to have a domain registrar whose support is within your reach. For example, if you have a Kenyan website, consider transferring your domain to a local registry like True Host Kenya to get 24/7 live chat support.

Management Issues

Sometimes, cheap prices are not all that matters. You need a user-friendly dashboard to manage emails, hosting, and domains. 

If your current registrar’s dashboard is too hard to manage, consider switching to a registrar with a user-friendly dashboard for easier management. 

Security and Privacy

If you are experiencing unmanageable security and privacy costs, you can move your domain to a registrar with affordable and reliable privacy options. While domain privacy and security are indispensable, you don’t have to dig too deep into your budget for the services.

Free Year on Transfer

If you have been considering transferring your domain but don’t want to incur the transfer fee plus a year’s cost, domain registrars like True Host Kenya offer a free one-year extension on transfer. 

Why True Host Is a Good Option For Domain Transfers in Kenya

1. Truehost offers a straightforward, hassle-free, seamless transfer process with no unnecessary delays.
2. Truehost offers competitive pricing that is lower than the average. Its transfer fees are transparent and affordable, with no hidden costs.
3. Domain transfer comes with free DNS management. You can enjoy complete DNS control during and after transfer, ensuring your site and email stay uninterrupted.
4. Truehost has reliable 24/7 expert support to assist you through every step of the transfer and beyond.
5. Perfectly covers local presence: Truehost understands the Kenyan market and offers tailored services and faster local resolutions.
6. Truehost offers extra free WHOIS privacy protection on many domains to keep your data private during transfer.
7. If you are worried about security, Truehost uses secure systems ensuring safe and reliable domain transfers. 

Final Take

Transferring a domain name in Kenya does not have to be expensive. You can compare different prices and the time it takes to transfer a domain and choose a good registrar to save on costs. 

You can also save money through extra perks such as free or affordable WHOIS, a 1-year free extension, and 24/7 local support. 

Remember, you don’t need a ‘big’ reason to transfer a domain. An affordable domain transfer is within reach if you aim to save a few coins.