Everyone says GoDaddy makes it so easy to register your own domain names. Easy to pick a name, easy to take your money. "But that's okay," you say, "because it's really cheap," which makes the purchase really easy. Before you know it, you've spent 10 times more than you would have going somewhere else. 

Sales Pitches

First thing you know, GoDaddy is pumping you with ads and promotions to get you to buy more of their stuff, like privacy protection, more domains, hosting to start your web site, SSL encryption, e-commerce, et cetera, et cetera.

• Extra Domains: We are an advocate of more domains, but only if it's useful to you and your strategy. GoDaddy will literally register a domain in your name without your approval in the hopes that you'll approve the invoice before it expires. They are touting the .WS domains as standing for "web site", but it is actually the designation for "Western Samoa". 
• Privacy Protection: Would you pay $9 to stop one or two pieces of junk mail? That's what you're doing with GoDaddy. While there is from public domains, it is not the favorite source among spammers. Just use a junk email address, and if you get too much spam, replace it. 
• Hosting: GoDaddy has some of the cheapest hosting on the planet. But remember the adage, "you get what you pay for?" GoDaddy is famous for its labyrinthian control panels, not to mention stability issues within their network. 
• SSL & E-commerce: Most frequently, people building a storefront on GoDaddy do it on a whim because it's cheap. They're just trying it out. Then when it doesn't work, they get discouraged, and eventually stop it. If only they'd assembled a proper store, instead of depending on GoDaddy's limited service, they might have had a better chance of fulfilling their dreams. 

When we take over a new client account, we often find a GoDaddy customer that has bought three or more domains, where they only needed or used one, plus a two or three other services they either didn't need or that where under performing for them. 

Navigation

It's a labyrinth, just as we said above. The savvy surfer can get through it, but for the average human being, GoDaddy's web site is a big issue. Suppose you're ready to build a web site and need to connect your host, just try to find out how to do it. Most people give up and just use GoDaddy's host (convenient solution).

Support

Just call their toll-free number. What, can't find a toll-free number? Never mind then, just call the regular number and wait on hold. Now ask a question, but don't make it too complicated, or you'll have to wait on hold again while they talk with their supervisor. And don't let them sell you anything either. 

Domain Failure

Ironically, a service that was so easy to get into can, at the time you least expect, fail. Because you aren't dealing with human beings here, who know you and care about your business, there's the possibility your domain might expire without your knowledge. Worse, you could lose the domain entirely. You'll just wake up one day, and your web site will be gone. How? Because GoDaddy depends on automatic withdrawal to renew your registration. What if your credit card expires? They'll email you, but what if during that time your email address changes too, or you just don't check that address so often? Common occurrence--domain's shut down. 

The Cloying Grip

Worst of all, GoDaddy makes it difficult, if not impossible, to leave. To transfer a domain, you have to trudge through no less than five pages full of special sales offers and efforts to get you to change your mind. Make a wrong move, like adjusting your contact information, and they'll make you wait 60 more days for changing the "Registrant" of the domain ('for your protection'). 

The Safer Alternative

We at The OGDEN Group.net offer Domain Management for our clients. We have our own registrar, and we won't try to sell you anything. We know you and keep in touch. We even pay for your domain to renew ahead of time and send you the invoice. That way your domain never expires. If ever you have to take your domain away, we won't hassle you.