I am Todd Han, Founder of Dynadot, Ask Me Any Question

Dynadot · May 21, 2020

APA will begin Friday, May 22 from 4-6pm PDT, but wanted to open the thread now in case you're unable to join me during that time. If you have questions or comments you would like to make, feel free to submit them here and I will try to address them during the interactive interview session.

I started Dynadot in 2002, in a spare bedroom at home. I still remember getting my first order for $7.99, and jumping up and down in excitement. Back then Verisign charged $6 per .com domain, and there was no ICANN fee yet. In those early days I did everything: customer service, website programming, accounting, and marketing. As the business grew I eventually rented an office and starting building the excellent team running the company today.

I have loved computers since I was a child. Writing code and solving technical problems always came naturally to me. I studied computer science in college, and spent many hours in the dark underground computer labs at UC Berkeley. Sadly I stopped coding about 2 years ago, to focus on strategy and management. But someday I plan to return to my first love, computer programming.

Why did I start Dynadot? I was building a website for my mother for her vacation house. I was using another registrar, and thought to myself I could write a better control panel. Being young and naive, I didn’t think that much and just jumped in and applied to be a registrar. It is a competitive and difficult industry, but I have enjoyed all these years, and am proud of what we have built.

Ask me anything.

frank-germany · May 21, 2020

Dynadot said:
AMA will begin Friday, May 22 from 4-6pm PDT, but wanted to open the thread now in case you're unable to join me during that time. If you have questions or comments you would like to make, feel free to submit them here and I will try to address them during the AMA.

I started Dynadot in 2002, in a spare bedroom at home. I still remember getting my first order for $7.99, and jumping up and down in excitement. Back then Verisign charged $6 per .com domain, and there was no ICANN fee yet. In those early days I did everything: customer service, website programming, accounting, and marketing. As the business grew I eventually rented an office and starting building the excellent team running the company today.

I have loved computers since I was a child. Writing code and solving technical problems always came naturally to me. I studied computer science in college, and spent many hours in the dark underground computer labs at UC Berkeley. Sadly I stopped coding about 2 years ago, to focus on strategy and management. But someday I plan to return to my first love, computer programming.

Why did I start Dynadot? I was building a website for my mother for her vacation house. I was using another registrar, and thought to myself I could write a better control panel. Being young and naive, I didn’t think that much and just jumped in and applied to be a registrar. It is a competitive and difficult industry, but I have enjoyed all these years, and am proud of what we have built.

Ask me anything.

great move, Todd.

xynames · May 21, 2020

DynaDot marketplace - suggestion to include subject and message in reply to Domain Offers

DynaDot marketplace suggestion - minimum offer

Charizard · May 21, 2020

Do you plan to increase drop catch capabilities by making more shell companies and optimizing script?

Bravo Mod Team · May 21, 2020

Samer said:
i have yet to see your photo, Mr. Han

Surya Giri Kurniawan · May 21, 2020

Hi Tood. I had using Dynadot as my registrar for years. Until now most of my domains are registered in Dynadot.

I had one suggestion about Forum Name for transfering domains to other Dynadot account. It must be also seen in seller dashboard, not only in Community Auction Field. I had sold domains many times in Ebay, and always got problem for asking buyers the Forum Name. Many buyers sent me their Login names. I had to explain where Forum Name is located with screen shoot. Many ended with making account pull or with a new yahoo mail I made and I hand in the new account.

Honestly for me Dynadot and Godaddy are the best registrars. But buyers in Ebay usually think twice if the domain in Dynadot, it seems because it is not easy to find the Forum Name to transfer I guest. And because Dynadot doesn't sell good Website, Hosting and Email to easily integrated with domains. In Ebay writing Registered in Godaddy makes the domains easily sold.

By the way these are only my feedback. Thank you Todd. Wish a success for you.

Samer · May 21, 2020

You dont have to answer this;

What is your best domain?

Samer

branding · May 21, 2020

No questions but just wanted to show my respects as a developer, your interface is unmatched!

Great backstory. I think your company is partly(?) employee owned. Great to see a successful company embracing those that do all the hard work.

People usually follow the money, those that follow quality will surely end up at Dynadot.

branding · May 21, 2020

Come to think of it, I do have one question for you.

What other registrar do you look up to and why?

Kai W. · May 22, 2020

Hi @Dynadot ,
I want to know which city Dynadot's team in China is in and what business is responsible for?

Jv1999 · May 22, 2020

Hi Todd! I like dynadot too!
Nice to finally put a name to the registrar!

I think your costumer support is excellent

Next year, I hope to get into your auctions... still learning them.

I'm curious though - I thought all registrars started out as domainers. Was this the case for you? It sounds a lot more like you were more of a dev.

Were you ever buying and selling pure domains for profit before you applied for a registrar?

DomainBanana · May 22, 2020

"I AM TODD HAN, FOUNDER OF DYNADOT. ASK ME ANYTHING."

This would make a nice bumper sticker, line for a Mortal Kombat remix, or personal introduction when visiting 17th-century Wampanoag tribesmen by time machine.

Hi Todd and thanks for your fantastic creation

A little attention to UI goes a long way and I'm grateful that Dynadot gets this.

Are there any plans to partner with major credit cards to provide discounts/rewards for all domain purchases and renewals?

If I could earn/save through a credit card rewards program, it would be easier to stay with Dynadot.

DomainChat.net · May 22, 2020

- how old are you?

- about how much to become an icann registrar that time?

Cryptotoda · May 22, 2020

The Durfer said:
Hi Mr. Todd, honored to meet you. Why the name, Dynadot?

What i can Guess: @Dynadot

Reverse the name "TODD" to "DDOT" and then elaborate it, which then becomes - "D for Dyna" + DOT"

Chacha Wixard · May 22, 2020

Please "merge" private seller auctions and expiring domains, so that we (private sellers) can get bid from buyers as good as expiring domains. Buyers do not like buying from other sellers. Unless buyers check whois and check the expiration date, they are should be equal chances.

HotKey · May 22, 2020

Hello Todd,

Congratulations on your registrar's continued success, and sharing it's "garage-style" (bedroom) beginnings. From the Dynadot ui, it is evident you are as passionate about the user experience as you are about domain names.

If you may divulge, my question is;

What are the required total fees an ICANN-accredited registrar has to pay out yearly?

Thanks!

Sutruk · May 22, 2020

HotKey said:
What are the required total fees an ICANN-accredited registrar has to pay out yearly?

From https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/registrar-fees-2018-08-10-en

"The annual accreditation fee for all registrars is US$4,000 per year. The registrar may pay the annual fee in one lump payment or if elected, in quarterly installments of US$1,000.00 each."

Sutruk · May 22, 2020

Cryptotoda said:
Reverse the name "TODD" to "DDOT" and then elaborate it, which then becomes - "D for Dyna" + DOT"

My bet is for a simple join of Dynamic + Dot = DynaDot.

Steven McEvoy · May 22, 2020

What is your go to business tools?

What are you plans for Domain Reseller program?

AgentE13 · May 22, 2020

Hi Todd,

What's your biggest advantage over the other registrars, in your opinion?

handpicked · May 22, 2020

Happy to say hello to an successful entrepreneur. My question is, GoDaddy and Bluehost have thier (.in) versions of their international website, and offices in India too. they accepts payments through local internet banking/banks with Indian rupees however, Dynadot needs an international credit card, and a hefty conversion fee / service charges are levied by the credit card company for payments in USD. India being an upcoming market, any plans to step in? locally, with an brick and mortar office?. presently, I only have around 12 domains on Dynadot, this will help me buy more.

I quote here an example of HP printer advertisement for diwali festival on TV during 2018 that was made in an Indianized way, which made HP Printer very popular here ever since, you may plan an entry something like that too. watch here (not affiliated). Thanks.

Samer · May 22, 2020

Everyone jokes about Godaddy acquiring you, since you do everything right, Mr. Han.

What about the other way around?

We obviously know Dynadot isn't for sale;
Any plans to acquire other registrars?

Samer

aelko · May 22, 2020

Mr. Han, some registrars offer a cheap .com domain, but only one or more per customer. For example, GoDaddy $1.17, Fasthosts £1.99, 123 Reg £2.99, Porkbun $4.15, etc. (a more complete list is in my signature). Why doesn't Dynadot have such an offer? Are you planning something like this in the future?

gabri3l · May 22, 2020

It's somewhat clear that Dynadot is your first love and you are emotional attached.
Did you ever bump into the downside of this aspect?

Alex Solomon · May 22, 2020

Hi Mr.Todd,
Thanks for sharing the story behind Dynadot, truly inspiring.
I've used Dynadot for a while and it's great.
Thanks for the AMA!
I would love to know, how old were you when you started coding ? And have you thought of other projects besides Dynadot as a dev?

branding · May 22, 2020

alcy said:
superbulk user

Out of curiosity, what's a superbulk user? Does it come with any perks?

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