Domains & DNS
Transferring a Domain Away from a Website Builder
After migrating your site, you need to point the domain at the new hosting. The process depends on where the domain is registered.
Step 1: Find out where the domain is registered
Domain purchased through a website builder
If you bought the domain through Tilda, Wix or another builder, the domain is registered with their partner registrar. You need to either transfer the domain to a different registrar or change the DNS servers.
Domain with a third-party registrar
If the domain was purchased separately (REG.RU, RU-CENTER, Beget, Timeweb), you only need to change the DNS records. This is simpler.
How to check
Use a WHOIS service:
whois your-site.ru
Or online: reg.ru/whois, nic.ru/whois. Look at the Registrar field — that is your registrar.
Step 2a: Change the DNS records (domain with a third-party registrar)
This is the simplest option. Log in to your registrar's panel and change the A record:
What to change
| Type | Name | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | @ | Hosting IP address | 3600 |
| A | www | Hosting IP address | 3600 |
Hosting IP address — find it in your hosting control panel.
Where to set the A record
REG.RU
Domains → your domain → DNS servers and zone management → Add record → A
Timeweb
Domains → your domain → DNS → Add record
Beget
Domains → DNS → Edit → A record
RU-CENTER (nic.ru)
Domains → Management → DNS servers → Zone management
How long to wait
DNS changes propagate within 15 minutes to 48 hours. Usually 1-2 hours.
Check the current records:
dig your-site.ru A
nslookup your-site.ru
Or online: dnschecker.org
Step 2b: Transfer the domain (domain in a website builder)
If the domain is registered through a builder, you need to "reclaim" it.
From Tilda
-
Tilda does not register domains itself — you most likely bought the domain separately and simply linked it via CNAME. In that case, just change the DNS (step 2a).
-
If the domain is a Tilda subdomain (
site.tilda.ws), it cannot be transferred. Use your own domain.
From Wix
- My Domains → your domain → Advanced → Transfer domain
- Unlock the domain and obtain the EPP code (authorization code)
- At the new registrar: initiate the transfer using the EPP code
- Confirm the transfer by email
- Wait time: 5-7 days
From Squarespace
- Domains → your domain → Transfer
- Obtain the EPP code
- Same as Wix — initiate the transfer at the new registrar
Step 3: Set up SSL
After transferring the domain, make sure SSL is configured on the new hosting:
Free SSL (Let's Encrypt)
Most hosting providers offer free SSL:
- Beget — automatic, enabled in the panel
- Timeweb — SSL → Install free
- REG.RU — Hosting → SSL → Let's Encrypt
Checking SSL
curl -I https://your-site.ru
It should return HTTP/2 200 with no certificate errors.
Step 4: Set up redirects
WWW → non-WWW (or vice versa)
Add this to .htaccess (Apache):
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.+)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [R=301,L]
HTTP → HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
Nginx
server {
listen 80;
server_name your-site.ru www.your-site.ru;
return 301 https://your-site.ru$request_uri;
}
Domain transfer checklist
- Domain registrar identified
- A record points to the new hosting IP
- DNS has propagated (verify with dig/nslookup)
- SSL certificate installed
- Site opens over HTTPS
- HTTP → HTTPS redirect configured
- www → non-www redirect configured
- Old builder CNAME records removed
FAQ
Can I transfer a domain bought through Tilda?
Tilda does not register domains itself — you usually bought the domain from a third-party registrar and linked it via CNAME. In that case there is no need to transfer the domain; just change the DNS records. A subdomain like site.tilda.ws cannot be transferred.
What is an EPP code and where do I get it?
An EPP code (authorization code) is the password for transferring a domain between registrars. It is issued in your current registrar's panel, in the domain management section, after unlocking the domain.
How long does a domain transfer between registrars take?
A transfer with an EPP code (for example, from Wix or Squarespace) takes 5-7 days and requires email confirmation. A simple DNS record change works within 1-2 hours.
Will the site be unavailable during the transfer?
If you are only changing the A record (not transferring the domain between registrars), there is almost no downtime — the old and new servers respond simultaneously for a while. To make the switch faster, lower the TTL in advance. Read more in the article DNS Setup.
Do I need an SSL certificate after the transfer?
Yes. Without SSL, browsers show a "Not secure" warning. Most hosting providers (Beget, Timeweb, REG.RU) issue a free Let's Encrypt certificate in one click.