Hi all,

I'm looking to build a scalable web-app that will utilize Amazon Web Services for the hosting. My question is does anyone recommend a good Domain Name registrar? I've heard some bad things about GoDaddy, can anyone confirm/deny these? Looking for one with a good customer service track record.

Appreciate the help as always.

Thanks,

EliteParakeet

We use Network Solutions and have for years. I only recall one big issue in that time and it was quickly resolved.

For some reason lots of people don't like Network Solutions and they're welcome to their opinions. Mine is based on the fact we use them for nearly 200 domains.

Another big outfit is 1and1.com (or einundein - it's a German company). We've inherited domains that were hosted there and I've not heard any horror stories.

GoDaddy I think probably does OK for actual registration so long as you don't want to move off of them. I think they tend to play games when you want to leave them for another registrar which may be why you're hearing things about them. More than once on acquiring a company and inheriting one of their domains our attempt to transfer it to Network Solutions has resulted in it being locked to prevent changes rather than getting the transfer done. GoDaddy and some other registrars always have some technical reason why it can't be transferred but in my view this shouldn't give them permission to lock the domain for a month or more to prevent one from retrying - it always seems like just a way to try to keep you paying them to keep the registration valid.

Melbourne IT is a bit on the pricey side if you deal with them directly, but they have a good rep. Many major hosting outfits that offer registration are actually MIT resellers.

Edit: GoDaddy is not an MIT reseller, it is a standalone registrar.

I've heard godaddy have a bad rep, so I avoided them.

I've got a few domains at 'name.com' (US), good service.

Also a few at 'namecheap.com', good service too.

www.namepros.com is a good place to ask.

YES i do confirm! (i used to be a customer a couple years ago)
i hereby solemnly swear that GoDaddy is the worst domain registrar and server host that i've have encountered or heard about ever !!!

they are outrageously overpriced , service is shit , customer support is rude and as if that wasn't bad enough , their business conduct is unethical bordering on illegality.

for instance , they are known to blackmail domain name holders by freezing their domains and demanding thousands of dollars for reinstating them , usually under some obscure false pretext that has to do with an alleged whois complaint or a bogus copyright infringement.

they also have hidden charges , for example i used to have several domains with them and a vps , their firewall blocked all outgoing TCP traffic on port 25 (reserved for smtp) and demanded to route all my emails (which originated from the vps) through an internal proxy smtp server for a charge of 10 cents for each email sent!

and btw the owner of Godaddy is a stuck up arrogant chauvinistic millionaire who has the appearance and demeanor of a pimp (in his online podcasts).

avoid it at any cost , my sincerest advice.
these are stories , that i'm absolutely sure.

regards

I'd recommend Gandi.net.

I am currently registered with Big Rock and I guess its a nice place. And I went to Big rock for Go Daddy has such a bad reputation and attitude. My personal experience has been very bad and the money they charge is outrageous. The current domain that I got for 99 INR from Big Rock was available for 492 INR on Go daddy.

Edited and removed the content posted accidently.

I just have to chime in that my personal experience with GoDaddy (and with their tech support) has been excellent.

I chose them because persons I know recommended them and have not been disappointed.

Different people different experiences. Just stating my experiences with Go Daddy. Nothing else. I dont find them too worthy to spend so much of money in.

I had similar bad experience with register.com but that was years ago. I have not been a customer since and never will be in the future.

BTW, I've also heard some bad things about AWS, but it's not detailed enough and still too early to be sure what troubles exist. I still prefer to run things by my own servers or rented/leased dedicated ones. Then I have a better feel for what's going on.

You can't run name registration on your own servers - just DNS and services that use the domains. There isn't any way I know of to get around having to pick a Registrar (other than going with a full hosting package and letting the hosting company pick it which I do NOT recommend).

Your comments seem more like they're talking about hosting which is also offered by most of the Registrars but isn't the same thing as Domain Registration. I agree that as much as possible running things on ones own servers is better. Even if one does go the hosting route one should do their own registration to avoid having a fight with the hosting company later if you choose to leave them for someone else. At that point they'll assert that THEY own the domain rather than you because they're the ones who registered it.