Hey everyone! I'm looking for some guidance on how to move my website from its current host to a more affordable option. I initially set it up on GoDaddy, but I haven't even started building it yet, and I'm already facing a hefty renewal fee of $166 per year for the domain. Since I haven't really done anything with the site, I'd love to find a cheaper alternative.
Is it possible to switch to a less expensive server? If so, what are some good suggestions? Additionally, is there a way to keep my domain while pausing it or reducing costs? Thanks a lot for any advice!
5 Answers
You’ll want to check your domain management settings. To switch your domain to a new server, you simply need to update the DNS records. Specifically, change the A record to the IP address of your new server, which your new host will provide. As for cost, a domain should only cost around $10 a year, so definitely explore alternatives to GoDaddy. For affordable hosting, you might want to check out Netcup or Hetzner. I've had good experiences with Netcup, even though customer support isn’t the best with Hetzner.
It sounds like you have both a domain and a hosting plan with GoDaddy, which can get pricey, especially right after renewal. You might've wanted to move before the renewal date, but now you're likely locked in for another year. If you've used their website builder, you'll have to rebuild your site on another platform. I'd recommend WordPress for its flexibility—it won't lock you in with any host.
Yes, you can transfer your domain to cheaper registrars like Cloudflare or Porkbun for a cost of about $10–$15 a year. You will still own your domain but won't be using GoDaddy for it anymore. Just keep in mind that hosting and domains are two separate things, so you can choose any server you like!
You can totally transfer your domain to a different registrar, anytime you want! $166 annually is pretty steep for a domain—if you just purchased it or if it includes other services from GoDaddy. Check out CloudFlare or Porkbun; they often have more affordable prices for domain registration.
Transferring a domain is pretty straightforward. Cloudflare is usually one of the cheapest options, and if they don’t support your domain, give Porkbun a try. Just do a quick search on how to transfer your domain, and it should guide you through the process. Just remember that a domain name and a website are different; you're mixing those terms!
Sounds like you might have signed up for GoDaddy's website builder plan alongside the domain, which can hike up costs.