[Registrar] Improve domain transfer guide with missing steps and troubleshooting

[mhsu]

Rewrites the "Transfer your domain to Cloudflare" page to address gaps identified by comparing it against the internal support knowledge base. Users were getting stuck because the page did not explain that zones must be active before entering an auth code, and common failure scenarios had no troubleshooting guidance.

• New step 3 (Disable DNSSEC): Surfaced directly in the numbered flow instead of buried in a partial
• New step 6 (Add domain and activate zone): Explains that Cloudflare requires an Active zone before you can enter an auth code — the biggest gap in the original page
• Step 4 (WHOIS privacy): Simplified — most transfers work with privacy enabled, only check if issues arise
• Step 5 (Auth code): Added note that code is not needed immediately, with link forward to step 8 and expiration warning
• Step 7 (Initiate transfer): Added payment failure warning, moved registration year exceptions into collapsible <Details> with new entries (.co 5-year max, .ai 2-year minimum, 10-year general limit)
• Step 9 (Contact info): Added caution about .ca, .mx, .nz registrant verification emails
• Step 10 (Approve transfer): Clarified timing — most registrars wait up to 5 business days, some TLDs (.mx) up to 10
• New section: Transfer from website builders — Wix/Squarespace/Shopify intermediate registrar workaround (no competing registrar names)
• New section: Troubleshoot transfer issues — 8 common failure scenarios (locked domain, DNSSEC still active, invalid auth code, zone not active, 60-day lock, restricted status, payment failure, slow transfer)
• Transfer statuses intro: Updated stale dashboard navigation path
• Removed outdated lines ("select x to remove domains", "You will not be billed at this step")
• Steps renumbered from 1–8 → 1–10

[dcpena]

Hey @mhsu, thanks so much for the contribution!

I think the troubleshooting section that was added would be a great fit for the page that currently exists at https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/troubleshooting/

[dcpena]

Move the Troubleshooting content to the troubleshooting page

[mhsu]

@dcpena good sugggestions. Didn't realize that page existed. Just moved it over explicitly referenced /linked to that section from this page.

[mhsu]

A few more improvements for clarify and to match user journeys. Here's the updated list:

Troubleshooting page (/registrar/troubleshooting/)

• Moved all 8 transfer troubleshooting scenarios here, merged with existing content where there was overlap (locked domain, auth code invalid, WHOIS privacy)
• Added new section: "Cannot find where to enter your authorization code" — explains that unlike other registrars, Cloudflare requires the zone to be active first, and why (performance and security). Common problem.
• Added new section: "Cannot update nameservers at your current registrar" — covers website builders (Block, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix) with a link back to the transfer page workaround. This is a major support issue today.
• Removed the separate "Zone is not active" section (merged into the auth code section to reduce duplication)

Transfer page (/registrar/get-started/transfer-domain-to-cloudflare/)

• Replaced the inline troubleshooting section with a link to the troubleshooting page
• Reordered steps: moved "Request an authorization code" from step 5 to step 7, right before "Input your authorization code" at step 8 — so users request the code when they actually need it, not several steps before. Also prevents issue of auth code potentially expiring if users are stuck at nameserver updates.
• Updated step headings to clarify where each action happens: "Request an authorization code from your current registrar" (step 7) vs. "Input your authorization code in the Cloudflare dashboard" (step 8)
• Added context on why Cloudflare requires zone activation first (performance and security)
• Added Block to the website builder platforms list, reworded the intermediate registrar workaround to be clearer

[mhsu]

Thanks for the feedback @dcpena! I have moved the troubleshooting content to the existing troubleshooting page and made several other improvements based on your review. Here is a summary of the changes in the latest commits:

Troubleshooting page (/registrar/troubleshooting/)

• Moved all 8 transfer troubleshooting scenarios here, merged with existing content where there was overlap (locked domain, auth code invalid, WHOIS privacy)
• Added new section: "Cannot find where to enter your authorization code" — explains that unlike other registrars, Cloudflare requires the zone to be active first, and why (performance and security)
• Added new section: "Cannot update nameservers at your current registrar" — covers website builders (Block, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix) with a link back to the transfer page workaround
• Removed the separate "Zone is not active" section (merged into the auth code section to reduce duplication)

Transfer page (/registrar/get-started/transfer-domain-to-cloudflare/)

• Replaced the inline troubleshooting section with a link to the troubleshooting page
• Reordered steps: moved "Request an authorization code" from step 5 to step 7, right before "Input your authorization code" at step 8 — so users request the code when they actually need it, not several steps before
• Updated step headings to clarify where each action happens: "Request an authorization code from your current registrar" (step 7) vs. "Input your authorization code in the Cloudflare dashboard" (step 8)
• Added context on why Cloudflare requires zone activation first (performance and security)
• Added Block to the website builder platforms list, reworded the intermediate registrar workaround to be clearer