discuss What is the number one deciding factor for you when choosing a registrar?

[equity78]

People choose a registrar for many different reasons, domain investors tend to have more needs than an end user with 1 or 2 domain names.

What is the most important element for you when choosing a registrar, I know there are more than one, but for the purposes of the poll, what is the number one deciding factor for you?

 

[droned]

Price price price
And only North America! not Europe registrars.

 

[DKN]

1 Safety & Security (2FA)

2 Price

3 Customer Support

 

[Hypersot]

Customer service not to bust my b4lls when in need of help
that's my #1, #2 and #3 factors

and, yes, I sound angry because I am

(thanks for the poll btw)

 

[equity78]

1 Safety & Security (2FA)

2 Price

3 Customer Support

I should have added security thank you. I guess people can use other.

 

[Name Trader]

Price without customer service/support is pretty much useless. Of course price is important. But so is customer service/support. One without the other will not make me change registrar. So I would say they are equally important. I chose customer service/support over price for this pole. Why? Besides the fact that we had to choose. Well I can't imagine ever choosing price as the sole determination for changing registrar. But I could imagine choosing customer service/support as the sole determining factor for changing registrar, provided pricing was reasonable. Personally, I think I need both to be competitive.

I've had 3 main registrars at different times during my life as a domainer. Spanning approx 15 years. Both times I've changed, I have considered price AND customer service, EQUALLY important. Security is also very important too. A registrar needs to provide all three even to be considered as a potential future registrar for my domains. My relationship with my registrar, is a long-term relationship. I expect to be treated with respect. And get human responses to questions. Not canned responses.

 

[NYJimbo]

1) price
2) how hard is it to transfer a domain away or if it is a registrar that is friendly to Undeveloped, Sedo or Afternic sales.
3) Mass change/update capability for domains.

 

[lambo.com]

Trust.

I'd rather not have a registrar that looks to take my domains at any opportunity.

Namesilo isn't like that.

Preload funds to your account and one could die knowing that bills will get paid with the balance on account.

 

[dncafe]

Lowest price with free privacy is a huge factor

 

[NamesCost]

Low prices are great but there are many times where the best price comes with issues, complications or some down side well known with each registrar.

Even when I have the map of the issues, have practiced the tricks & workarounds to avoid known problems experienced at specific registrars I still manage to find bumps in the road that can cost me plenty of money, time and/or effort. Accordingly how support handles any hiccups continues to factor more greatly into my choices on a regular basis (because shit happens). The price vs the frequency of registrar complications comes with experience (perhaps not your own if you read alot on NP).

When a registrar pairs great services (features, UI/UX , support and security) with a great prices the best price seems meaningless to me.

I would rather have great prices with great services than the best price if it inevitably comes with loosing a domain (a worst case example), paying surprise amounts / extra fees or having other time consuming hassles.

Price is the most important thing until you find the hidden costs.

 

[WatchDogue]

Customer Service ranks as the number 1 criteria I use when selecting a registrar.

Having had domain names for 20 plus years - poor customer service will drive me to a new registrar.

Believe we have used at least six different registrars over the years and for our domain purposes are most satisfied with the current registrar with whom we have most of our domains and from whom we acquire new domains.

 

[Chris Wright]

1. No surprises
2. Price
3. Efficient interface

 

[frank-germany]

1) do they make it easy to leave
2) can I call them
3) are they reseller ( not wanted )
4) is it easy to mass edit the domains
5) do they have a fast transfer option
6) is the interface structured
7) price
8) lately: can I trust the CEO as a person?
9) what is the max renew time frame
19) what is the procedure when I can't manage my domains myself no more

only a few match all criteria

 

[Addison]

This poll's absent superbly important factors: Trustworthiness, Reliability, Privacy, and Security.

A registrar going out of business is a gargantuan headache.

 

[ivey]

I choose other.

For me, It's having a feeling of long term security.
I like Godaddy, though i don't think their domain management interface is that good. They seem to be trying to improve there. Pricing is acceptable at $8.29 with DDC. Customer service is good etc.. fast transfer etc.

For me, i never trusted other registrars with unfamiliar names, chickenbun or porkbun etc..
They may be good though, maybe i shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Even Uniregistry...though they were willing to lock in a low price for domainers. But you always get the feeling that in a year or two that may change. And you never know how crazy renewals may be for new tlds etc...

I have used name.com and others before with no major issues, except pricing.

But you never know, I'm constantly keeping an eye on other registrars to see who else has the whole package.

 

[d-e-x]

* User Interface/Tools that help with running portfolio

Thats why I like Dynadot.com

 

[ivey]

* User Interface/Tools that help with running portfolio

Thats why I like Dynadot.com

I have been hearing alot about this company of recent. How are their prices?

 

[d-e-x]

I have been hearing alot about this company of recent. How are their prices?

Today .COM is - $7.99
Few days ago was - $6.99
Not bad at all

 

[lock]

Longevity means everything. Don't think that you can renew for a few years and forget because that registrar may not be around in 12 months I have had to move some domains a few times and have lost domains because of it. I know I pay more for domains and renewals but I know where my names are and will be tomorrow.

 

[frank-germany]

Longevity means everything. Don't think that you can renew for a few years and forget because that registrar may not be around in 12 months I have had to move some domains a few times and have lost domains because of it. I know I pay more for domains and renewals but I know where my names are and will be tomorrow.

and I have the feeling that "forever" may not be long enough

 

[Good domains]

Definitely price!

 

[lock]

and I have the feeling that "forever" may not be long enough

Yes cannot take domains to grave so going to have to prioritise ideas.

 

[Mister Funsky]

what is the number one deciding factor for you

My vote was for price, but of course user interface, service, etc are way important.

The only 'major' registrar I have not tried is dynadot but epik is the choice for me. The interface is clearly built for domainers...I still remember how blown away I was when I moved my first domain there from daddy. Soooo many options...one of my favorites is the ability to add notes...helps me eliminate the need to launch word or excel.

 

[Windoms]

Security.
Customer service.
Marketplace/Sales platform.
Sounds like GoDaddy.

 

[lock]

Security.
Customer service.
Marketplace/Sales platform.
Sounds like GoDaddy.

There is so much I dislike also but still my first choice.