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Escape GoDaddy for Namecheap?

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I have about 700 domains at GoDaddy but their platform is driving me nuts and their support makes me want to change my life. Is Namecheap the best almost-as-cheap alternative?
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
I think NameCheap is Great & have several hundred with them - most of mine are with GoDaddy though. From a sales, domain sales, point of view - GD is #1 + Afternic.

NC = no fast transfers on GD or Sedo. That is the only thing I think you need to think about - also, decide what drives you crazy, and make sure the grass isnt greener.

I have names with many regs,& I recommend both NC & GD over the others. - but dont expect no headaches with one, just a change of headaches HAHAHAHA.

But, of all that I have or have had names with - those are my 2 favs (& in the same # of name ballpark)
 
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I have about 700 domains at GoDaddy but their platform is driving me nuts and their support makes me want to change my life. Is Namecheap the best almost-as-cheap alternative?
I prefer Epik & NameSilo. Both are cheaper and better. They gave great support and are represented well here on NP.
 
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I changed Network Solutions for GoDaddy almost 20 years ago, because of lower prices and overall user friendliness.

Now, I’m changing GoDaddy for Porkbun and Namesilo, because of lower prices and overall user friendliness.
 
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Really interesting responses here.

I looked at Namesilo (interesting that it's a publicly traded company: URLOF) but the negative reviews on Trustpilot give me the creeps. Here's one with a copied/pasted email from Namesilo that's just ridiculous:

https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5bfb0b179d37800358228fdc

Honestly the responses to negative reviews from Namesilo are creepier than the negative reviews themselves.

Reading the Porkbun website is like a breath of fresh air and their reviews on Trustpilot are excellent. They seem like a really transparent company.

How does the "own your domains forever" thing work at Epik?

I'm surprised to see that Namesilo, Porkbun, and Epik all sell/renew .com's for under $9/year (although Epik isn't clear about renewal). Is that legit? I thought only GoDaddy sold them that cheap. Namecheap renews for $12.98. Also love the free Whoisguard on all of these (I think) except GoDaddy.

Lastly it looks like Google is a registrar now at https://domains.google although they're a lot more expensive at $12/year.
 
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Couple other things.

I've never sold a domain name so I don't understand the "fast transfers" thing well. Could anyone explain how that works?

Also I should record the conclusions from my latest GoDaddy experience:

1. Never user GoDaddy chat support. Always use GoDaddy phone support. I chatted twice in two days and the experience was long, nightmarish, and totally unproductive on both occasions. The second operator even renewed a whole lot of my domains when I specifically told her not to. FWIW the phone folks are in the US and I'm told the chat folks are in the Philippines.

2. In order for your Domain Registration Defaults to be used as the contact info for a new registration you have to select the Buyer Profile manually in the upper left hand corner of the checkout page even if there is only one profile and it's defined as the default and it's already showing as selected in the drop-down box.
 
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ALSO!!!!!!!! when thinking about cost - dont forget about EBates, 5% back on everything you do on GoDaddy. It works with other regs as well - just check into it.
 
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Really interesting responses here.

I looked at Namesilo (interesting that it's a publicly traded company: URLOF) but the negative reviews on Trustpilot give me the creeps. Here's one with a copied/pasted email from Namesilo that's just ridiculous:

https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5bfb0b179d37800358228fdc

Honestly the responses to negative reviews from Namesilo are creepier than the negative reviews themselves.

Reading the Porkbun website is like a breath of fresh air and their reviews on Trustpilot are excellent. They seem like a really transparent company.

How does the "own your domains forever" thing work at Epik?

I'm surprised to see that Namesilo, Porkbun, and Epik all sell/renew .com's for under $9/year (although Epik isn't clear about renewal). Is that legit? I thought only GoDaddy sold them that cheap. Namecheap renews for $12.98. Also love the free Whoisguard on all of these (I think) except GoDaddy.

Lastly it looks like Google is a registrar now at https://domains.google although they're a lot more expensive at $12/year.
I like that you are doing your homework before making the move.

Seriously, I have had no problems with NameSilo in the 3-4 years I have used them. Same with Epik. I have 0 domains now at GoDaddy and it was primarily due to their interface (and slightly to the cost).

Also, look on here and you'll see that people are generally happy with Epik & NameSilo. I have never used Porkbun, so I'm not sure about them.
 
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NC = no fast transfers on GD or Sedo. That is the only thing I think you need to think about

Is this the same as "Afternic Fast Transfer" and "SedoMLS"? How can I find out which registrars support this?
 
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https://www.afternic.com/domain-reseller-network

I’ll take namesilo over namecheap every day. Great support nc has but namesilo responded to my message in 15 mins last night. Way easier to navigate control panel, link manager, market place.
 
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Is Namecheap the best almost-as-cheap alternative

I still have some names a daddy but many are with Epik and some others are with NameSilo.
Contact Epik for best pricing they extend to nps members.
 
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I am with namecheap chat support right now regarding ssl
Fantastic service, she actually showed me a trick to save me some money
Having 10 second chat support is definite advantage.
Namesilo does have an account here, thats a plus and are pretty fast if you tag them
@Rob Monster is epik, and he is here so they are probably top 3
 
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I have about 700 domains at GoDaddy but their platform is driving me nuts and their support makes me want to change my life. Is Namecheap the best almost-as-cheap alternative?

Yes Godaddy has a terrible platform, looks like old technology done by Scottsdale high school coders in some important areas. Very poor navigation and bad bulk operation capabilities IMO however GD is ok for ma and pa with only a few names especially if they need support so we differ on that aspect.

Also extremely annoying constant GD up-selling. One of the few things good about GD at least IMO is the 24-hour usually good technical support. I had accounts at most every firm over the years and GD has one of the worst control panels but at least GD is better vs places like 1and1 and Moniker (last time I used them).
 
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My main ones have been Dynadot, Namesilo, and Internetbs, for last years. Namecheap are also good but their UI is totally domainer unfriendly, just like the GD's one. So i left them. Now seems Namesilo is degrading, unfortunately. Just discovered Epik a few months ago and now am slowly transferring all my renewals to them.
 
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NC = no fast transfers on GD or Sedo.

I'm trying to figure out the fast transfers thing. @DnameAgame are you sure no fast transfers for Namecheap? They're listed here:

https://www.afternic.com/domain-reseller-network

I noticed that page says fast transfers are only eligible for domains with a buy now price so I wonder if I would even use it. In general I like the market pricing mechanism that auctions provide.

Also there's a 20% commission there. That's not crazy high?
 
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Porkbun is great when your domain expired your website still working about 30 days
Namesilo- when your domai expired it will be unresolved
 
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13 months for the price of 12. Thats a plus
 
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i'm quite curious what kind of trouble you got related to GD support?
most problem i had were were solved through GD chat support
 
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I have been using Dynadot a lot lately since I started buying dot-best there as recommended by Cyril.Best a month ago for $1.99 and now still on promo but $1 more at $2.99.

In addition, I have purchased some new dot-com's thru Dynadot using the current $5.99 .com / free privacy / free website promotion and have found their platform, control panel and support very good, maybe even the best of the best.
 
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there is nothing cheap about namecheap

their interface not too friendly.

try dynadot or namesilo instead. if you must escape.
 
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I prefer NameSilo and Dynadot, they are cheaper and also we can sell our names in Afternic and Sedo Marketplaces ("Afternic Fast Transfer" and "SedoMLS" allowed.)
 
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i'm quite curious what kind of trouble you got related to GD support?
most problem i had were were solved through GD chat support

Their Customer Support is worst and they never support you. They make mistake often but give more justification in defence of their mistakes. They are for themselves and care more about their profits. There is no flexibility, whatsoever. Because of its huge presence, my first choice was Godaddy only, but I realized there are more better customer friendly, cheaper price registrars.
 
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You can never go wrong with namesilo.com. Cheap, better and reliable.

On the plus side you will have fast transfer option for sedo and afternic. Not only that you will have ability to complete sale at namesilo.com for just 7.5% commission. That is way cheaper that afternic/sedo/Godaddy etc. Also there is no fees for wire transfer payout. Most important for me is the expedite transfer out feature same as goDaddy. You can complete transfer out to another registrar in just 30 minutes.

You can contact them and they may give you a discount for bulk transfers. Even $8.39 for .COM transfer is cheaper than most. Renewals for .COM are $8.99.

Source: Been using them since 2013.
 
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After reading the Trustpilot stuff on Namesilo I stopped considering them but there's so much positive feedback here I'm reconsidering and Afternic Fast Transfer and SedoMLS support would be nice to have.

Has anyone here had a sub-par experience with Namesilo?
 
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I should have said - the Marketplace (Afternic, or Sedo, or Uni), so it really the ability to use the fast transfer as part of the marketplace and the listing across their platforms (e.g. Sedo MLS).

I don't think NC is connect with any of those - I may be incorrect, but think that is true. Maybe someone can verify or correct.

Thanks,
 
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