This article will guide you through the various ways you can transfer your Wix website and its associated domain. Whether you need to change ownership, move your website to a different Wix account, or transfer your domain to another provider, we'll cover the essential steps.
Transferring Wix Website Ownership to Another Wix Account
Sometimes, you might need to give ownership of your website to someone else who also uses Wix. This process is straightforward and keeps the website hosted on the Wix platform.
How to transfer Wix website ownership:
- Log in to your Wix account: Access the Wix dashboard associated with the website you want to transfer.
- Navigate to Site Actions: Find the "Site" dropdown menu in your dashboard.
- Select "Transfer Ownership": This option will guide you through the process.
- Enter the recipient's email address: Ensure it's the email address associated with their Wix account.
- Confirm the transfer: Wix will send a confirmation request to the recipient. Once they accept, the ownership will be transferred.
Key considerations for Wix account transfer:
- The recipient must have an existing Wix account.
- All premium plans and connected apps will be transferred with the website.
- The original owner will lose all administrative access to the website after the transfer is complete.
- This process is specifically for transferring a Wix website to another Wix user.
Making a Wix Website for Someone Else and Transferring It
If you've built a website on Wix for a client or friend, you can easily transfer it to their own Wix account once it's complete. The steps are the same as the standard ownership transfer process outlined above. This allows you to manage the development process under your account and then hand over full control.
Transferring Your Wix Domain Away from Wix
If you want to use a different hosting provider for your website but keep your domain name, you'll need to transfer your domain away from Wix to another registrar. Providers like Hostinger and Namecheap are popular choices.
Steps to transfer a domain from Wix:
- Unlock your Wix domain: By default, Wix domains are locked for security reasons. You need to unlock it before initiating a transfer. Go to your Wix account, select the domain, and find the "Transfer Out" or "Unlock" option in the domain settings.
- Obtain the EPP code (Authorization Code): This unique code is required to authorize the domain transfer. You can usually find it in the domain settings within your Wix account after unlocking the domain.
- Initiate the transfer with the new registrar: Go to the website of your new domain registrar (e.g., Hostinger, Namecheap) and start the domain transfer process. You will need to provide the domain name and the EPP code.
- Approve the transfer: Wix will send you an email to confirm the transfer. You'll need to approve it to proceed.
- Wait for the transfer to complete: Domain transfers typically take a few days to complete. You will receive confirmation from both Wix and your new registrar once it's done.
Important notes for domain transfer away from Wix:
- Your domain must be at least 60 days old to be eligible for transfer.
- Ensure your domain contact information is up-to-date, as communication regarding the transfer will be sent to the registered email address.
- Be aware that there might be a fee associated with transferring a domain to a new registrar.
Transferring a Domain Between Your Own Wix Websites
If you have multiple websites within your Wix account and want to use a domain registered with Wix on a different one, you can easily transfer the domain within your account.
How to move a Wix domain to a new website within your account:
- Log in to your Wix account:
- Go to the "Domains" section: You can usually find this in your account settings or by selecting a website and navigating to its domain settings.
- Find the domain you want to transfer: Locate the domain you wish to move to a different Wix website.
- Click on the three dots next to the domain name: Select "Assign to a different website."
- Choose the target website: Select the website you want the domain assigned to from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm the transfer: The domain will now be connected to the new website within your Wix account.
Exporting Your Wix Website Content
Currently, Wix does not offer a direct way to fully export your website files (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) to host it on a different platform. This means you cannot simply download your entire Wix website and upload it to another hosting provider.
Transfer Wix website to another host:
While a direct export isn't available, you have a few options if you want to move your content away from Wix:
- Rebuild your website on the new platform: This involves manually recreating your website's design and content on your chosen new hosting provider (e.g., using WordPress, Shopify, or a custom-coded website).
- Use third-party migration services: Some third-party services might offer assistance in migrating content from Wix to other platforms, but their functionality and reliability can vary. Research these options carefully.
- Manually copy and paste content: For smaller websites, you can manually copy text and save images from your Wix website and then recreate the structure on your new platform.
How to Unlock a Wix Domain
As mentioned earlier, unlocking your Wix domain is a crucial step when transferring it to another registrar. This removes the security lock that prevents unauthorized transfers. You can typically find the unlock option within the domain management section of your Wix account. Look for settings related to "Transfer Out" or "Domain Lock."
Useful Links
Managing Your Site Transfers – Detailed instructions on transferring site ownership within Wix, including resending invitations and canceling transfers.
Accepting Transferred Site Ownership – Steps for recipients to accept site ownership transfers and set up billing and contact information.
Transferring Your Wix Domain Away from Wix – Guide on moving your domain from Wix to another provider, including unlocking the domain and obtaining the EPP code.
Moving a Connected Domain Between Wix Accounts – Instructions on transferring a domain purchased elsewhere between Wix accounts.
Connecting a Domain Purchased Elsewhere – Learn how to connect a domain bought from another provider to your Wix website.
How To Handover Your Site to Clients – Guidance on transferring site ownership to clients, including setting permissions and transferring Premium plans.
How to Transfer a Domain Name in 12 Steps – A comprehensive walkthrough on transferring your domain, with emphasis on eligibility and preparation.
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Conclusion
By understanding these different transfer scenarios and following the outlined steps, you can effectively manage your Wix websites and domains according to your needs. Remember to always double-check the specific instructions and requirements within your Wix account for the most accurate and up-to-date information.