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Yesterday, Google announced on Google+ that they are testing out selling domain name registration services to third-parties. Right now, you need to be invited to participate, like with Gmail originally, and when you are, you can go to domains.google.com and register domain names there for $12 a pop.
But Google has been a domain registrar since late 2004, so for about 10 years now. I believe they became a registrar then because they wanted more control over the domain names they wanted to register themselves. But now, they are going to sell domain name registration, like a GoDaddy would, directly to consumers and businesses.
The features list include things like private registration is free, easy sub-domain management, 100 emails, etc. One thing that stood out as a flag for those who run popular web sites is the cap of DNS resolutions. Google writes "we include 10 million resolutions per year for each domain you register with Google Domains." Not sure if that is enough for larger sites?
Anyway, would you give Google a shot with this?
Forum discussion at Google+, BlackHatWorld and WebmasterWorld.
Comments:
Globe Moving and Storage Co
06/24/2014 12:18 pm
Google wants everything !!!
Josh Zehtabchi
06/24/2014 12:37 pm
In other news, it's June, 24th... 2024? :-) Think you slipped, @rustybrick:disqus Edit: No way would I register with Google. How far could a penalty extend if they 'owned' the domain as well? That's putting too many eggs in one, bloated, basket.
Barry Schwartz
06/24/2014 12:39 pm
fixed, meant 2004, not 2014.
John Romaine
06/24/2014 01:09 pm
No thanks.
dot-google-dot-com
06/24/2014 01:14 pm
The sad thing is they have joined hands with the likes of Wix etc ... you know that web site builder where people with no brain flock to. That one that does not have very good SEO possibilities. So now, they will be loading up misinformed people with google domains in the pretense that having a google domain gets you a lift in google. I can see the rumor mill in full force on this one. Google will of course say ...no ..we don´t do that.... But not very loudly.
Fedor
06/24/2014 03:40 pm
Yeah, you could register domain through Google for a while now but it's done through "partners" GoDaddy being one of them. Google doesn't actually register anything, they just make money from referrals. Good luck with that.
Adam Heaton
06/24/2014 03:44 pm
I'd avoid this like the plague. The more information they have the on a website isn't always for the better, especially for those who like to test blackhat techniques (as I would imagine it could lead to multiple sites being hit due to user activity).
Jamo
06/24/2014 04:22 pm
Well that's not all they have been doing. 1) They have been stripping PR from aged domains (years ago), 2) They can see through the privacy and use that to their advantage. I'm no fan of GoDaddy but this is interesting since GoDaddy just announced plans for an IPO.
Fedor
06/24/2014 04:39 pm
I just transferred some domains away from GoDaddy since they cracked down on discount codes. I got tired of their deceiving menus and terrible UX. I'm juggling between Names.com and NameCheap. So far name.com seems technologically superior but the transfer process is a bit of a pain if you don't plan ahead.
Jerk
06/24/2014 05:43 pm
NEVER, google! NEVER we will use your hosting/domain/etc services.
Jamo
06/24/2014 05:47 pm
Yea, I switched over to Namecheap when they offered transfer deals a few years ago when GoDaddy founder killed an elephant or something. You think their web sales approach is aggressive? I know a chap who went to work for GoDaddy in Arizona and was hired to a Phone Support Job, got trained on the "products" and the first day on the floor he put his headset on and was handed a sheet with his quota on it. Suffice it to say he lasted about a month, he's not a sales guy. He said small business folks would call in and as soon as he'd answer they'd say "I don't want to purchase anything else until my email works!" Turns out the good sales people would just dump or burn through the support calls to find the sales.
Luka Malding
06/24/2014 07:39 pm
This post explains how google will kill the industry! : http://hostadvice.com/blog/dont-let-google-control-domain-worried-search-giant-entering-domain-business/
Luka Malding
06/24/2014 07:39 pm
Google will kill the industry! : http://hostadvice.com/blog/dont-let-google-control-domain-worried-search-giant-entering-domain-business/
Old timer
06/24/2014 08:11 pm
Durante May want to register his link wheel sites here? Links are Editorial votes right Durante/editorial guy lol
DREMdesigns
06/24/2014 08:31 pm
Their registration service is definitely something I won't be using. While their offering of email and free private registration is enticing, they have far too much data for my liking.
Fedor
06/24/2014 10:19 pm
There are countless stories about GoDaddy from employees. None of them are good, other than the founder getting drunk and throwing money around at parties. That SOPA thing pissed me off too but the prices were so low I didn't want to jump ship, now there's nothing stopping me. bye bye godaddy.
soman
06/25/2014 11:31 am
I think they didn't get satisfied with the earning from adwords. Why they are entering to domain registration? There are lot of small scale companies they are still living with competition over with godaddy and etc... Why the hell Google is entering and spoiling their business. I suggest you(google) try to continue your work(other well growing company acquisition).