Sequence for domain name transfer?

[artcoder]

Can people reveiw and critique my below sequence of steps for domain name transfer with no email downtime?

As example, let's say that domain name and site is on GoDaddy and I want to transfer both domain name and site to HostMonster.

1. In Godaddy, unlock domain name and obtain domain name authorization code (I forget what this call this code).

2. In HostMonster, initiate a domain name transfer during signup. And provide domain name authorization code when prompted.

3. In HostMonster, set up domain name email via cpanel.

4. Upload website to HostMonster via FTP.

5. Go to Godaddy and set their name servers to point to Hostmonster's servers.

6. Continue to check emails on both Godaddy and Hostmonster.

7. Wait for domain name transfer to complete.

8. Domain name transfer is now complete.

9. Go to Hostmonster and set name servers to point to Hostmonster's servers.

Is that correct? Is there a better sequence?

[EasyCall]

No, I would not have HM transfer the domain right away, because as soon as they do, I think they will set the Name Servers to the new HM account and you'll have a lag time before you're set up on HM. Your site will be down and you will not get email for the period of time it takes to get your files uploaded and your email accounts set up.

If this is a add-on account, go to cpanel and set up the add-on domain. Cpanel will likely give you an error because your name servers are not set to HM, but you can ask support to over-ride that problem. This gives you time to set up your web-site and all your email accounts.

Once everything is set up on HM, you can then change the DNS on the domain name. During the time it takes to propagate, there's always the possibility of emails going to your old account, but you should be able to log into your cpanel at go-daddy and look for those via web-mail.

Once everything seems to have propagated correctly, you can initiate the domain transfer to HM and you can cancel the go-daddy hosting account.

This has always worked well for me in the past when I've switched hosts and I end up with no down-time. I don't use HM for my domain registrar, so I don't have to do the step of transferring my domain name and I can switch the DNS anytime I want.

This is just how I would do it. I'm not sure everyone would agree with me or not, but like I said, it has worked for me.