First-hand experience of Domain Providers

1.01 World Net has recently created a Web Presence and as such, we have first-hand experience of Purchasing and Implementing Domains and Services provided by both GoDaddy and Google Domains.

In September 2020, we purchased multiple Domain Names from GoDaddy

Purchase Experience:

• The Domain Name Search functioned well and we were able to find Domain Names that suited us

• Purchasing the Domain was straight-forward although there were some surprises at Check-out - more of that later

• Overall their Website is attractive and functional and we were able to Purchase and Configure the Domains with relatively minimal trouble

Site Configuration:

• Configuring the Domains was relatively straight-forward although we did Google for instructions and others user-experience to help us the first time

• It is not difficult once you have experience with their DNS Management page

• We really liked the fact that all the DNS Records are displayed and managed on a single page

Services Provided:

• Email Addresses are NOT included - more of that later

• Each Domain comes with a Free Trial of Website Builder that allows Creation and Hosting of one Website for 30 days

• However after the free-trial the Monthly-cost ranges from: $12.95 for Basic to $29.95 for eCommerce!

Email Address:

• Email Addresses are NOT provided with the Domain - NOT EVEN Aliases

• As mentioned above Email Aliases are NOT provided

• Apart from Hosting an Email Server ourselves the ONLY options we could find were PAID

• Our only simple option was to purchase an Email Address for $4.95 per month PLUS TAX ($65.34 per Year)

• But this provides us with ONE Email Address - adding a second will DOUBLE THE COST

• The Email Service however does allow us up to 400 Aliases but with ONLY ONE INBOX

Hidden Costs:

• The Original Cost quoted after the Search was $18.95 per year - sounds resonable

• What they DON'T tell you is that Privacy Protection (to hide your Registered Address from the World) is $11.95 per year

• AND there is also an ICANN Registration Fee of $0.30

• AND Local TAX has not been included

• Total Yearly Cost: $18.95 + $11.95 + $0.30 + $3.12 = $34.32 AUD !!

Conclusion:

• The Domain functions correctly and was relatively easy to Configure

• The lack of ANY Free Email options is DISAPPOINTING!

• The Paid Email Service with ONLY ONE INBOX is DEFINITELY OVERPRICED!

• Hidden Costs only found at the LAST MINUTE when Purchasing is EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!!

In October 2020, we purchased www.freewebsites101.com from Google Domains

Purchase Experience:

• The Domain Name Search functioned well and we were able to find Domain Names that suited us

• Purchasing the Domain was straight-forward and NO real surprises at Check-out - more of that later

• Overall their Website is attractive, functional and Extremely Integrated with other Google Services

• We were able to Purchase and Configure the Domains with NO trouble

Site Configuration:

• Configuring the Domains was straight-forward and allowed Integration with other Google Services

• We didn't require any additional help or instructions

• Integrating our new Domain with our Existing Google Sites Website was simple

• Linking the new Domain to Google Analytics and Google Search Console was again, simple

• Using multiple Services from a single Provider and a single Account is Extremely Reassuring

Services Provided:

• Email Aliases are included - more of that later

• Google provides a host of FREE Services from Web Hosting to Search Engine Optimaization

• Paid Services are also available if required

Email Address:

• Up to 100 Email Aliases are provided with the Domain

• With Google Mail forwarding to multiple INBOX's that gives us a FREE Email Solution

Hidden Costs:

• The Original Cost quoted after the Search was $18.00 per year

• Privacy Protection (to hide your Registered Address from the World) IS PROVIDED

• ICANN Registration Fee of $0.30 IS PROVIDED

• The ONLY hidden-cost is Local TAX

• Total Yearly Cost: $18.00 + $1.80 = $19.80 AUD

Conclusion:

• The Domain functions correctly and was easy to Configure

• The inclusion of FREE Email Aliases options is PLEASING

• With Google Mail forwarding of your FREE Email Aliases, a Paid Email Service is NOT REQUIRED

• The Yearly Cost of our Website Domain and Email Solution is SIGNIFICANTLY LESS!

• GoDadday: $34.32 + $65.34 = $99.66 AUD per Year

• Google Domains: $19.80 + $0.00 = $19.80 per Year or 19.87 percent (a saving of $79.86 AUD)

• Not being Mislead is really Pleasing and instills Confidence in your Provider

• Googles ability to integrate a host of Services into a single Account is AWESOME!

Well ... we'll let you be the judge but we suggest you do your research and make a decision based on knowledge and first-hand experience from trusted sources. With one Solution being 5 times the other it pays to do your homework!