GoDaddy: Big but Controversial

GoDaddy -- the most controversial registrar

Most Americans know GoDaddy (*est. $9.20 per year for a .com name) from the company's controversial and titillating Super Bowl commercials. GoDaddy has also publicized racier commercials that were rejected by the television network, including one that satirizes the now-famous half-time-entertainment exposure incident. CEO Bob Parsons generates additional publicity and controversy with a satellite radio program. While those strategies alone may sell or repel you, equally controversial are those of GoDaddy's business practices that are relevant to customers.

The first distasteful practice that customers will notice is that domain name registration prices do not include the annual ICANN fee of 25 cents. GoDaddy's competitors include that fee in their prices. The $9.20 fee for a .com name is still a great value, but $8.95 sounds better in advertising. Users complain that GoDaddy's interface is busy, cumbersome and unclear. People are required to click through multiple screens with sales pitches for other services to complete the domain name registration process. According to user reviews, the selling continues after registration. You will receive e-mails and a customer-service phone call that confirms your domain registration was successful -- while trying to sell you additional services.

According to CNN Money, GoDaddy places Google pay-per-click ads on websites that haven't been developed yet. This policy is not advertised. If you buy a domain and don't immediately upload your website, your URL will have a home page hosted by GoDaddy. Your personal or business name will be used to advertise products or services, including GoDaddy.

GoDaddy thrives in spite of these practices. About one-sixth of all domains are registered through GoDaddy, which is twice as many as eNom, its nearest competitor. A considerable majority of reviewers and customers agree that GoDaddy has excellent prices and good customer service. Support is through e-mail, online help and toll calls. Support is in-house, so your call won't be routed overseas. On the whole, and despite comments about distasteful ads and questionable business practices, most customers say GoDaddy customer support and reliability are actually very good.

The Arizona-based company offers frequent promotions, and domain registration is discounted when bundled with other services. At press time, GoDaddy is offering .info domains for 99¢ for the first year. Standard .com domain registration is only $2.24 (that's less than wholesale) if you buy other services, such as website hosting, from GoDaddy.

Domain name registration includes a quick blog, an optional ad-supported website, e-mail and e-mail forwarding, domain forwarding and other features. GoDaddy claims it will not increase prices to current customers, other than to pass along industry price increases.