I am doing a website for a client. They are currently using an instant website and domain hosted on www.1and1.com . I would like to host their site and if possible transfer the domain to my godaddy account so I could manage the entire project for my client.

Is this possible? I asked here first because I doubt 1and1 would reply to me as I am taking away one of their customers. It seems that in the control panel I have full control of the domain, but I have never moved domains across different registrars. How should I go about this, and If I can't move domain name easily would I be able to just leave it where it is and change DNS and still cancel their existing hosting plan.

Sorry if some of it may be able to be found out from them, but I need to do it without contacting them at the moment.

Get them to give you a ftp account... Or get the 1and1 domain owner to go into there control panel and transfer the domain...

You can also point the domain from 1and1 to your Godaddy server, I believe.

I used to have a 1and1 account, and I transferred a site from their to GodaddyCOM, so I know for a fact it's possible.

As far as whether or not you should keep that domain at 1and1 or talk your client into cancelling his account in favour of you hosting his site on your server-space, i'd ask him how he feels about that.

You can always design a site on another domain and then set it up on the domain proper at time of completion.

I am working on it on a subdomain of my portfolio untill is complete. Thanks for the reply guys. The client has given me access to his control panel on 1and1 so I think I should be able to transfer it to my GoDaddy account. I have already ok'd this with my client.

If I can't move domain name easily would I be able to just leave it where it is and change DNS and still cancel their existing hosting plan.

Assuming that the domain isn't newly registered/transfered (60 days or less), a transfer to Godaddy, or any other registrar for that matter, should be possible. You can initiate it from Godaddy, and follow the steps as advised.

Oh, this should help: http://help.godaddy.com/article.php?article_id=788

1. Register account on Godaddy
2. Start domain name transferring from GD panel
3. You will need to add secret for the domain name (that can be found on 1&1 domain name CP).
Transfer might take up to 1 week and you will need tom pay renewal fee for that.
I have no idea which CP GD and 1&1 use but if they are Cpanel that will take few clicks to have web site's stuff moved.
Hope that helps

Ok, thanks both of you especially server point that tells me exactly how to do what I need one. Will save me a ton of time trying to figure out the process myself.

If you're moving the site (hosting) to another provider, be careful when it comes time to cancel with 1and1. It can only be done from the page at http://cancel.1and1.com . Just emailing them won't work and has caused many problems for customers.

Ok, so I should do the whole process starting at 1and1 on that cancel page? Anyone else can confirm this is the best way to go about it?

No, first thing you should do is transfer the domain registration to the new registrar, which I recall you said was GoDaddy. Don't cancel with 1and1 before you do this! You'll lose the domain! Then you can set the DNS servers at GoDaddy to point to the web site at 1and1. Then signup for your new hosting service (doesn't have to be GoDaddy) and get the web site set up there. Then change the DNS at GoDaddy to point to the web site at the new host. Finally, when everything is working at the new host and registrar, you can cancel the account at 1and1.

No, first thing you should do is transfer the domain registration to the new registrar, which I recall you said was GoDaddy. Don't cancel with 1and1 before you do this! You'll lose the domain! Then you can set the DNS servers at GoDaddy to point to the web site at 1and1. Then signup for your new hosting service (doesn't have to be GoDaddy) and get the web site set up there. Then change the DNS at GoDaddy to point to the web site at the new host. Finally, when everything is working at the new host and registrar, you can cancel the account at 1and1.

If separate accounts for web hosting and domain name registration were used why transfer domain name? You can leave domain name registration on 1&1