Frequently Asked Question I Bet!

[Lewstar]

Since I'm back into domaining, I'd appreciate any and all insight into the cheapest yet reliable way to register a domain name.

I've used GoDaddy in the past, but I have a hunch there are other services that are not as pricey. Google forwarded me to a Top 10 list, written by a journalist for some publication. Netfirms.com was listed as cheapest--$4.95 a name.

I tried NetFirms and what a disaster. The company makes it difficult to discern how much a "client" is paying, so I ended up buying the complete hosting service (for about $180) when all I wanted was the name. It was my fault; I should have been more careful.

I called NetFirms (in Canada) and they had some pleasant customer service folks, who eventually refunded all the money except for the domain name registration. Only one problem: they didn't "re-register" the domain. Rather than beat a dead horse, I registered my name with another concern.

I see that NamePros registers names for just under 6 bucks. Maybe that's the way to go, eh?

 

[nrmillions]

I would stick to using Moniker or GoDaddy. They are both $6.95 for .com. It is much better to use a trusted registrar than to use something you never heard of for a dollar cheaper. Dont use 1&1 or yahoo either by the way.

 

[deleted984054565403]

I personally like to stick to a site that's primarily a domain registrar, for me, NameCheap. With the June coupon code "JUNEBUGZ", you can register a new name for $7.99. That's more than Netfirms' $4.95, but you're getting better service and a more comprehensive control panel.

The three dollars you'll save isn't worth the headache you'll go through at other places. Chances are, you won't miss those three dollars in six months when your domain is developed or for sale.

I'll second nrmillions' statement by saying AVOID 1&1. If you search around, you'll find countless horror stories.

 

[Spade]

Honestly, im a GD fan. I used to work for GoDaddy, and I have no problems with my domains there. I get great pricing on most domains and 24/7 support. Not to mention I know where all their offices are and I would just drive my explorer through them if things went wrong.... j/k

Honestly - GD is fine. I register coms for $6.95 and they are my primary register. NameCheap isnt too bad, but just when you start having several hundred domains... each dollar counts!

Justin

 

[-NC-]

I think netfirms only give you one domain for 4.95 anyway

I'm really liking dynadot at the moment - 7.99 is a buck or so more than GD (depending on the coupons / promotions at the time), but the ease of use makes me happy to pay extra.

- clean, upsell free, easily navigable purchase process
- ability to set default nameservers/whois which is set automatically when you reg a name
- entered nameservers/whois are automatically remembered so that in future you can select from a dropdown
- easy delete for account credit within 118 hrs
- $2 privacy service (and if you use these services, this can negate the $1 more for the domain)

That said, I've less than 10% of my names with them, the majority are at GD, mostly because of the tight integration with tdnam - but I've stopped regging new names there because of the tendency for the bulk search to suddenly decide I've found the names I want and send me off into the checkout process.

 

[winterwisp]

try not to go with 1and1. I was with them for a year because they were cheap. It's quite hard to manage the domains such as changing nameservers, because you have to do them one at a time. I'm currently transfering the last of my domains out of 1and1 to dynadot. (Thank god)

Dynadot seems pretty good to me. I went with them after reading the registrar reviews here.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

I would agree to stick to one of the top 10 registrars used by domainers. Most are transfer friendly, have decent management interfaces, and at least fairly competitive pricing.

I've found all of these reasonable and/or easy to work with. Those in bold I keep significant portions of my portfolio at.

Enom.com (reseller account, not retail)
Fabulous.com (you must have portfolio and be accepted)
Godaddy.com
Dotster.com Standard pricing high unless you negotiate pricing
Namecheap.com
Moniker.com
Domainsite.com


Avoid registrars that make transfers or pushes difficult like any wildwest reseller. Also avoid those that make management hard like most tucows registrars that make you log into each domain to individually manage them.

Once you get a portfolio of around 200 or more names, ask for special pricing and you'll probably get it. Reseller accounts also offer better pricing even if you don't resell new registrations. Just watch for those that want annual fees for the privilege.

 

[Lewstar]

Thanks, all, for the interesting and informative replies. I have a FAQ, Part II: I've been transferring my domains to NameDrive.com (thanks to some suggestions) because it has a counter and offers a pittance at least for clicks.... My question is, does it matter which registrar I choose in terms of transferring to NameDrive.com?

I've transferred several of my domain names from GoDaddy to Name Drive because GD requires payment to set up a count/pay service--at least from what I can tell.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

[-NC-]

AFAIK, namedrive isnt a registrar, so you're not transferring the names, just changing the nameservers - so any registrar which allows easy bulk nameserver change should be fine.

 

[fab]

Dynadot is another cheap and reliable registrars worth to have a look.

 

[Jo]

I recommend Godaddy. They always have coupons (there's a thread here updated frequently by NPers) and you can use them for just about any extension and for renewals too. With Godaddy you can also bulk change DNS and contact info etc. If you register a name that you find out is a trademark or you mispelled the name, you can ask for a refund as long as it's within 5 days of registering. I have most of my domains there.

 

[supersexynet]

I sitck with godaddy, besides, you are risking too much for saving only one dollar