Cloudflare expands domain transfer support to include premium domains
Users can now transfer premium domain names to Cloudflare's registrar service, expanding beyond standard domain offerings.
Cloudflare has expanded its transfer capabilities to include premium domains, according to announcements made this month. The change enables users to consolidate their domain portfolios within Cloudflare's registrar service.
Premium domains, which typically include single-word or short domain names, have historically carried higher registration and renewal fees compared to standard domain names. Premium domains can cost "50-100x or more of the price of a regular domain."
The transfer process maintains standard domain transfer protocols, including:
- Standard 60-day waiting period required by ICANN after initial registration
- Domain unlock requirement before transfer initiation
- Registry-specific transfer policies compliance
Registry Pricing Structure
Premium domain pricing varies significantly based on several factors:
- Registry-determined premium status
- TLD-specific pricing models
- Annual renewal fees that may differ from standard domains
According to sparky_lover_971, a domain industry participant, registry pricing for premium domains can fluctuate significantly: "The registry behind premium TLDs can hike the renewal price at any time... It just happened to me after 4 years of owning a .online domain, now the renewal reached $3600."
The expansion of transfer support addresses a long-standing market need. Previously, domain holders had to maintain accounts across multiple registrars to manage their premium domains. Dane Knecht, Senior Vice President of Emerging Technology and Incubation at Cloudflare, acknowledged this situation, noting that the company continues to expand its domain registration capabilities.
Domain administrators should note several technical aspects:
- Premium status is determined by the registry, not the registrar
- Transfer eligibility varies by TLD
- Renewal pricing remains subject to registry policies
- WHOIS privacy requirements vary by domain type
The announcement has generated significant discussion in the domain industry. Some users expressed concerns about consolidating domains with a single provider. Daniel Vassallo stated: "I personally prefer having my domains in a different place from my dns. If I get blocked by one vendor, I can always fix it, but if cloudflare blocks you and they have everything, you're screwed."
The development signals an evolution in domain management services. Key aspects include:
- Increased competition in the premium domain market
- Simplified domain portfolio management
- Potential impact on registry pricing strategies
- Enhanced options for domain investors
Currently Supported TLDs
Cloudflare maintains an extensive list of supported TLDs, including:
- Traditional TLDs (.com, .net, .org)
- Country-code TLDs
- New generic TLDs
- Premium versions of supported TLDs