Domain Name Registration: Reviews

Updated April 2007

Does it really matter where you buy your domain names? While it's true that all domain registrars do pretty much the same thing, their policies vary when it comes to how you control your domain name once you buy it. For example, how easy is it to switch registrars and what kind of customer service do you get if you have a problem? We checked out reviews of GoDaddy and other domain registrars to find the most reliable companies.

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Best domain registration service

Namecheap.com

*Est. $8.88 per year for a .com name Learn More

In an industry marred by questionable business practices, reviewers and customers say that Namecheap -- despite the un-reassuring name -- wears a white hat, and prices are extremely competitive. E-mail and URL forwarding,… expandsecurity features, free transfers and domain management control are included with all domain registrations. Namecheap proclaims "no hidden charges and you own the domain in your name." Privacy protection is an option, as are e-mail accounts, but Namecheap does not offer website hosting. Namecheap offers 22 top-level domains. Support is through e-mail only. Namecheap accepts PayPal -- another plus. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

DomainRadar.com: This review of seven domain registrars gives Sedo.com top ranking, but describes Namecheap as "one of the best places to buy and manage your domain names" for its easy interface, good rates and acceptance of PayPal.

NamePros.com: Nearly 150 users rate and review Namecheap.com as a domain registrar here, giving it top marks for interface and usability, but slightly lower ratings for features and value and an even lower rating of four (out of a possible five) for customer service.

ReviewsOnLine.com: Namecheap.com earns praise here for good pricing and prompt customer service, but at least at the time of the review, complicates payment by not allowing spaces in the credit card number.

ForeverGeek.com: Most of this review focuses on criticizing GoDaddy.com for its relentless selling during the registration process, with Namecheap.com recommended as a good alternative.

Most popular domain name registrar

GoDaddy.com

*Est. $9.20 per year for a .com name Learn More

About one-sixth of all domains are registered through GoDaddy, which is twice as many as its nearest competitor. The company's business practices are controversial to the degree that they attract some customers and repel… expandothers. However, even detractors agree that GoDaddy has excellent prices and good customer service. Promotions are frequent, and domains are discounted when bundled with other services. Support is through e-mail, online help, and toll telephone calls. Users complain that GoDaddy's interface is difficult to use, and aggressive up-selling continues after the sale. Even so, this hasn't seemed to affect GoDaddy's popularity. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PCMag.com: Comparing four domain registrars, PC Magazine editors give GoDaddy.com a rating of three stars out of a possible five, with criticism for lack of toll-free support, but the four user-written reviews give it the lowest possible rating – though the complaints about customer service aren't necessarily reasonable.

DomainRadar.com: This review of seven domain registrars gives GoDaddy.com the lowest possible rating despite its low prices, criticizing the busy, distracting interface as user-unfriendly.

NamePros.com: More than180 users rate and review GoDaddy.com as a domain registrar here, giving it below average marks for both interface and customer service, with ratings for features and value only slightly higher (three out of a possible five).

ReviewsOnLine.com: GoDaddy.com earns criticism here for slowing the registration process with extra steps and a too-slick interface, as well as for charging an extra fee per registration.

ForeverGeek.com: This scathing review recommends Namecheap.com instead of GoDaddy.com, using 10 screen shots to criticize GoDaddy.com's relentless selling during the registration process, with links to five other blogs expressing similar criticism.

DomainsBot.com: Nearly 35 users rate and review GoDaddy.com here, giving it average ratings of "good" for price and offerings, but only "satisfactory" for services and ease of use.

Best alternative domain registration

Your web hosting service

*Est. $15 per year Learn More

Experts disagree about whether your best bet is to acquire your domain name from your web hosting service or a third party. Using one company is obviously simpler and cleaner. A third party, such as Namecheap, can be less… expandexpensive. Most hosting services charge $15 per year for .com names. In some cases, they are leasing the domain from a third party. Some hosting services bundle free or below-cost domains with hosting service. See the Full Story of this report, as well as our related report on web hosting for details. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: This reassuring article explains how ICANN.org and second-tier registrars work, noting that the median price for registration has dropped to $15 per year.

LinuxReviews.org: This brief article explains terms and procedures used in registering a domain name.

iGoldRush.com: This article in question-and-answer format is a good introduction to domain name registration, including a list of extra services you might want to look for.