The Dirty Truth Behind Network Solutions’ Domain Transfer Process

Transferring a domain name from one registrar to another should be a straightforward process, but I recently discovered that Network Solutions makes it anything but easy. While helping a client transfer their domain, I encountered deceptive tactics designed to scare customers into staying. It’s clear that Network Solutions isn’t trying to build trust—they’re trying to hold customers hostage. If you’ve ever thought about transferring a domain from Network Solutions, you need to know what you’re up against.

(Note: This isn’t my first run in with Network Solutions. We always recommend that our clients transfer away from Network Solutions. They are the most expensive in the industry with the worst service

The Problem: Misleading Pop-Up During Transfers

When you begin the domain transfer process on Network Solutions, you’re greeted with this alarming message:

“If you still want to transfer your domain, there are a few things you need to know.”

• “Your site, email, and other services will stop working.”
• “The transfer out process usually takes 5-7 days. During that period anything connected to your domain will be down.”

The pop-up is clearly designed to stop customers in their tracks. No business owner wants their website or email to go offline for several days, especially during a busy workweek. Naturally, this warning triggers fear and confusion.

Why This is Misleading

After reviewing Network Solutions’ support documentation, I found no mention of downtime during domain transfers. So I reached out to their support team for clarity.

The truth? If your domain is not using Network Solutions’ nameservers, this warning is completely false. There is no downtime if your DNS is handled elsewhere. Yet, the pop-up states it as an unavoidable fact. This tactic feels like nothing more than an attempt to keep customers from transferring their domains.

My Conversation with Network Solutions: Key Takeaways

During my chat with Network Solutions, here’s what I learned:

• DNS Dependency: The only time downtime might occur is if your domain uses their nameservers. Otherwise, the transfer process should not impact your website or email.
• The False Narrative: Despite this, Network Solutions presents downtime as a certainty, regardless of your DNS provider.
• Admission from Support: When I confronted their support team about the misleading message, they admitted: “If your domain is not using our nameservers, you don’t have to worry about downtime.” (You can see the full transcript of our chat below.)

It’s clear that this warning is not a standard industry practice—it’s a scare tactic designed to discourage people from leaving.

Why This Tactic Matters

Fear-Based Strategy

Network Solutions is banking on fear to retain customers. By misleading users into believing their website and email will go offline during a transfer, they create unnecessary anxiety. This strategy pressures customers into staying out of fear of downtime, rather than staying because of quality service.

The Bigger Picture: High Fees, Low Value

Network Solutions charges far more than other registrars for domain registration:

• .com domains: $86.97/year
• .us domains: $83.97/year
• .net domains: $98.97/year

These prices are outrageously high compared to the $10-$20/year charged by most reputable registrars. Yet, there is no added value to justify these prices. Network Solutions offers the same basic services, but at a grossly inflated rate.

A Legacy Company Clinging to the Past

Network Solutions was one of the first domain registrars, with an early monopoly on domain registrations. For years, they had little competition and could charge whatever they wanted. However, the internet landscape has changed, and there are now many affordable alternatives.

Rather than adapting to this new reality, Network Solutions relies on deceptive practices to retain customers. Their strategy is simple: make it as difficult and intimidating as possible to leave so they can keep charging exorbitant fees.

What You Should Do When Transferring Your Domain

If you’re planning to transfer your domain away from Network Solutions (or any other registrar using scare tactics), follow these steps:

1. Check Your DNS Provider: Make sure your domain uses a third-party DNS provider before initiating the transfer. This ensures no downtime during the transfer.
2. Ignore the Scare Tactics: If your DNS isn’t managed by Network Solutions, the transfer process will not affect your website or email.
3. Choose a Reputable Registrar: Look for registrars with fair pricing, transparent policies, and solid customer support. Companies like Google Domains, Namecheap, and GoDaddy offer reliable services at a fraction of the cost.

Conclusion: Don’t Fall for the Fear Game

Network Solutions uses fear-based messaging to discourage customers from transferring domains, hoping to trap them into paying inflated prices. Don’t let their scare tactics stop you from moving to a registrar that offers better value and service.

If you’ve had a similar experience with Network Solutions, or need help with transferring your domain, I’d love to hear your story. Don’t let outdated business models and scare tactics stand in the way of progress. Take control of your domain and move to a provider that works for you—not against you.

P.S. After all that, they still have a 3-day delay before they will send you your authorization code to transfer your domain name.

P.P.S. After we unlocked the domain name, they sent us this email:

After more scare tactics about hijackers, they specifically say you need to call them if you intend to transfer a domain name…

Network Solutions Support Chat Transcript

Problem I explained to the Support Chat:

I am helping my client transferrer their domain name to another registrar, and she’s gotten two pop ups saying “The transfer out process usually takes 5-7 days. During that period anything connected to your domain name will be down.”

This doesn’t make any sense. That is not how the transfer process should be. I just read through your public-facing help document, and it doesn’t say anything about this.

Please be aware once initiated, domain transfers may take 5-7 days to complete after confirmation has been received

I am helping my client transferrer their domain name to another registrar, and she’s gotten two pop ups saying “The transfer out process usually takes 5-7 days. During that period anything connected to your domain name will be down.” This doesn’t make any sense. That is not how the transfer process should be. I just read through your public-facing help document, and it doesn’t say anything about this.

The standard timeframe of transfer out usually takes 5-7 days. If you are referring to the downtime, this usually happens when the nameserver of the domain has been changed too.

Why would it not say that?

Why would we change the name servers too?

You will have to change the nameservers. You won’t be able to manage the DNS records in our end once you have transferred the domain.

This is the case if your domain is using our nameservers.

Which, we aren’t… so it’s not applicable in any way.
So this is just a scare tactic to keep people from transferring their domain names.

indeed not using our nameservers.

If we have your DNS with NetworkSolutions, and we begin a transfer, do you turn off their DNS, so the domain goes down during the transfer?

It will be.

Amazing. Just so you know. You are the only company that does that.

I understand.