GoDaddy Domain Registration Review

Updated on: April 2, 2025

It’s time for another GoDaddy review, this time focused on GoDaddy domain registration. I know I was a bit hard on GoDaddy in my web hosting review—follow this link to read it—but when it comes to domain name registration, they are okay. Domain registration is GoDaddy’s original wheelhouse, and they do it well.

Review
Pricing
Rating
Pros & Cons
Summary

Review

GoDaddy Domain Registration Search Process

Starting on their home page, I like that right at the top of the page, they have a search box with the prompt “Type the domain you want” and a Search Domains button. This makes finding a domain name incredibly easy. When you get your search results, you’ll see different types of result pages based on availability.

If the domain is available

If the domain is available, GoDaddy shows you the price and a variety of alternative suggestions. These include:

Different TLDs (Top-Level Domains), such as .com, .net, .info, etc., all with different pricing.
Alternative spellings of your chosen domain name.
Keyword-based suggestions, which is great if you’re trying to align your domain name with SEO keyword research.

This feature is particularly useful when brainstorming domain names that match your brand or business niche.

If the domain is taken

If the domain is already registered, the first thing GoDaddy offers is a service to try and buy the name for you from the current owner. This brokerage service can be quite expensive and, in my opinion, usually not worth it. However, underneath that offer, GoDaddy provides alternative domain name suggestions, which helps soften the blow of missing out on your first choice.

One thing to note: Most .com domains are already taken unless you’re searching for a highly unique or niche name. This is something to keep in mind when setting expectations.

Managing DNS with GoDaddy

Once you have a domain name registered with GoDaddy, managing DNS is quite easy, as long as you didn’t buy the “Full Domain Protection” add-on. Their interface is straightforward for updating records like A, CNAME, and MX records, making it simple to connect your domain to a website or email provider.

Pricing

GoDaddy’s domain pricing is reasonable for the first year, but the renewal costs can be significantly higher. Here’s an example test I did for darkstarmedia.info:

GoDaddy Domain Registration Pricing

1st year: $7.74, renews at $54.99
2 years: $62.73, renews at $109.98
3 years: $117.72, renews at $164.98
5 years: $227.70, renews at $274.95

Cloudflare Domain Registration Pricing

1st year: $19.18, renews at $19.18
Renewal stays at $19.18 forever

As you can see, while GoDaddy offers a lower initial price, the renewal costs are significantly higher compared to Cloudflare, which keeps the price stable year after year.

Exponential Renewal Pricing is New

I have older domains that I purchased over 10 years ago, and luckily, my renewal costs remain quite low. However, this exponential renewal pricing scheme is a new development, and it’s something to be aware of when purchasing a new domain.

Cost-Saving Strategy

One way to save money is to register your domain with GoDaddy for the first year (to take advantage of the low pricing) and then transfer your domain to Cloudflare before renewal. Cloudflare renews domains at only $19.18/year (at least my test domain), which can save you a lot over time.

Avoiding GoDaddy’s Upsells

Once you are in GoDaddy’s checkout process, they start pushing a lot of upsells. Here’s what to watch out for:

Full Domain Protection – Not necessary for most users.
Bundle and Save with Other Extensions – Usually not needed.
Free Website Builder – Avoid this if you plan on using a proper hosting provider (check my GoDaddy hosting review for why their hosting isn’t great).
Email Services with Microsoft 365 – Skip this unless you specifically need it.

Be careful—many of these add-ons come pre-checked, so always review your cart before checkout to ensure you’re not overpaying for services you don’t need.

Rating

We give GoDaddy Domain Registration a rating of 3.2 / 5

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy-to-use domain search interface
Good alternative domain suggestions
First-year pricing is affordable
Easy DNS management (if no Full Domain Protection is purchased)
Decent phone support

Cons

Too many upsells that are pre-checked
High renewal costs after the first year
Full Domain Protection can limit DNS management flexibility
No Free WHOIS Privacy on Some Domains
Limited low-cost TLDs: The initial low pricing often applies only to less popular domain extensions

Summary

Final Thoughts: Should You Use GoDaddy Domain Registration?

While I do like GoDaddy’s search tool and interface, and their first-year pricing is great, I would only use them for the first year and then transfer to Cloudflare for long-term savings. In fact, it may make sense to go directly to Cloudflare from the beginning to avoid the hassle of transferring later.

One strategy is to use GoDaddy’s search tool to find the perfect domain, then head over to Cloudflare to register it instead. This way, you get the best of both worlds—great domain name discovery without the high renewal costs.

Bottom Line: GoDaddy domain registration is a decent choice for the first year, but be wary of renewal pricing and upsells. If cost savings matter to you, consider transferring your domain to Cloudflare before renewal time. That being said, GoDaddy offers easy phone support, while Cloudflare does not (unless you have an upgraded plan). Cloudflare is better suited for more technically minded users or web developers.

For assistance with WordPress, please refer to our comprehensive WordPress resource page or review our available WordPress support services.

GoDaddy Domain Registration FAQs

What is a domain name?

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet (e.g., example.com). It allows users to find your site easily without having to remember a long IP address.

Do you own a domain name or rent it?

You technically rent a domain name. When you register a domain, you’re purchasing the rights to use it for a specific period (usually one year). You must renew it annually or for multiple years to retain ownership.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is the technology that translates human-readable domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to locate websites. It acts as the internet’s phone book, directing users to the correct server when they enter a domain name.

What is a TLD?

A TLD (Top-Level Domain) is the last part of a domain name, appearing after the final dot. Common examples include .com, .net, and .org. Different TLDs can impact SEO, brand recognition, and domain availability.

What is WHOIS Privacy?

WHOIS Privacy is a service that hides your personal contact details in the public WHOIS database, protecting your privacy. GoDaddy offers this service for some domain extensions, often for an additional fee.

What is Domain Brokerage Service?

GoDaddy’s Domain Brokerage Service helps you buy a domain from its current owner if it’s already taken. It involves a broker negotiating on your behalf, but this service can be expensive and may not always be worth it.

About the Author: Justin Blayney

Founder & Lead Developer, Darkstar Media | Connect on LinkedIn

Toronto-based web designer with over 20 years of experience in WordPress development, SEO, GEO, UX design, and eCommerce solutions. Founded Darkstar Media in 2003, specializing in custom CMS development and accessibility-compliant websites for businesses across Canada.

When not building websites, Justin creates pixel pop art exhibited in Toronto galleries. View artwork

View all posts by Justin Blayney »

GoDaddy Domain Registration Review

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