What is GoDaddy?
GoDaddy is a well-known company specializing in domain name registration and web hosting services. You have probably come across GoDaddy's advertisements online or on television. The company is one of the largest domain registrars and hosting providers globally.
Founded in March 2019 in Delaware, GoDaddy is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It serves over 20 million users worldwide and employs more than 10,000 people.
What Services Does GoDaddy Offer?
GoDaddy provides various website-building tools and services, including domain registration, hosting, SSL certificates, and website builders. Here’s a breakdown of GoDaddy’s top services:
1. GoDaddy Web Hosting
GoDaddy offers different types of hosting, including:
- Shared Hosting
- Dedicated Hosting
- VPS Hosting
- Reseller Hosting
Despite its popularity, GoDaddy’s basic shared hosting plan is relatively expensive and lacks essential features such as speed optimization and free SSL certificates. While other hosting companies offer free SSL, GoDaddy charges for it.
For higher performance, consider the Ultimate Plan, which includes 2 CPU cores, 1.5 GB RAM, and a free SSL certificate.
2. WordPress Hosting
GoDaddy provides specialized WordPress hosting, which comes pre-installed with WordPress, plugins, and themes. However, its performance is similar to regular shared hosting.
3. Domain Name Registration
GoDaddy is one of the largest domain registrars in the world, offering multiple domain extensions such as .com, .org, .net, .site, .online, etc. Domain privacy protection is free, and you can get a free domain for the first year with any hosting plan.
4. GoDaddy Website Builder
The GoDaddy website builder is a drag-and-drop tool that allows users to create websites easily. It offers various pre-designed templates and is beginner-friendly. You can try it for free, with pricing starting at $6.99 per month. However, other website builders like Weebly and Squarespace may offer better flexibility and design options.
5. SSL Certificates
An SSL certificate ensures website security by encrypting data. You can buy SSL certificates from GoDaddy, but they are not included for free with basic hosting plans.
6. WordPress SSL Certificate
GoDaddy’s WordPress SSL works similarly to regular SSL. It is free with Ultimate and Ecommerce hosting plans but requires additional payment for lower-tier plans.
7. Professional Email
GoDaddy provides professional email services, with prices starting at $6 per user for 10GB email storage.
8. Microsoft 365 Services
GoDaddy offers Microsoft 365 services, including access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and professional email. The business plan starts at $8 per month.
9. eCommerce Solutions
GoDaddy allows users to create online stores with WooCommerce pre-installed. The eCommerce plan lets you track sales and revenue and is available for a 30-day free trial before requiring a $25 monthly subscription.
Pros of GoDaddy
Why Choose GoDaddy?
Here are some of GoDaddy’s advantages:
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy setup and navigation for beginners.
- Frequent Discounts: GoDaddy offers regular discounts on domains and hosting.
- One-Click WordPress Installation: Quick and hassle-free setup.
- Multiple Payment Options: Supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and PayPal.
- Strong Brand Reputation: Known as one of the top domain registrars worldwide.
Cons of GoDaddy
Disadvantages of GoDaddy
Despite its benefits, GoDaddy has some drawbacks:
- Slow Customer Support: Response time can take up to 48 hours.
- Expensive Restoration Fees: Site restoration can cost up to $300.
- No Live Chat Support: Customer service is only available via phone.
- High Renewal Costs: Hosting plans start at $2.99/month, but renewal prices jump to $8.99/month.
- Paid Website Migration: Unlike other hosts, GoDaddy charges for website migration.
How to Search for and Register a Domain on GoDaddy
Follow these steps to register a domain on GoDaddy:
Searching for a Domain Name
The first step in purchasing a domain from GoDaddy is searching for your desired domain name in GoDaddy’s domain search bar. If your chosen name is unavailable with the selected extension, GoDaddy will suggest alternative extensions. Your domain name should reflect your business or project.
Registering a Domain
Once you find an available domain name, follow these steps to register it:
- Add the domain to your cart in preparation for checkout.
- Choose Domain Privacy to protect your personal information from public WHOIS databases.
- Attach the domain to a free website using GoDaddy’s Website Builder if desired.
- Add a professional email address, available in three different plans, or skip this option.
- Sign in to your GoDaddy account, enter billing details, and complete the purchase using one of GoDaddy’s multiple payment methods.
GoDaddy domains come with ICANN registration, ensuring easy domain transfers and WHOIS updates.
Linking Your Domain to Hosting
You can register a domain with GoDaddy and host it elsewhere. Here’s how to link your GoDaddy domain to any hosting provider:
- Add the domain to your hosting account via the Addon Domains section.
- For Blogger users, use the Redirect domain option.
- Create an Addon Domain, and it will appear in your hosting control panel.
- Modify domain settings in GoDaddy:
- Go to Domain Manager in Domain Settings.
- Select the domain you want to redirect and click Manage DNS.
- Update GoDaddy DNS settings and input your hosting provider’s Name Servers.
- It’s best to add multiple Name Servers to ensure your website remains functional if one server goes down.
Why Choose GoDaddy Hosting?
GoDaddy’s budget hosting plans are suitable for beginners who need basic web hosting with minimal storage and low traffic. If you have a GoDaddy discount code, you can register a domain and hosting at a significantly reduced price.
If you have a higher budget, GoDaddy’s premium hosting plans offer essential features like free SSL certificates and Windows-based hosting services.
When NOT to Use GoDaddy Hosting
Avoid GoDaddy hosting if:
- You are looking for cheap hosting alternatives like HostGator or Namecheap.
- You need more value for money, as GoDaddy’s renewal rates can be expensive.
GoDaddy Pricing and Discounts
GoDaddy offers various hosting plans to cater to different types of websites. Pricing increases with higher-tier plans, offering additional features.
GoDaddy’s hosting prices are competitive, whether you are a small business or a large enterprise. However, keep an eye out for GoDaddy discount codes, as GoDaddy often provides promotional coupons. Sometimes, you can purchase hosting for as low as $1 using a GoDaddy coupon.
Best SEO Tool for Content Writing
Once your website is set up, consider using GuinRank, a powerful SEO tool with essential features for content optimization:
- Keyword Analyzer – Analyze keyword relevance.
- Content Optimizer – Write SEO-friendly content.
- Page Analyzer – Analyze competitor content.
- Comparing Pages – Compare articles for SEO performance.
- Keyword Generator – Generate keyword ideas.
- Questions Map – Find the most searched user questions.
- MicroNiche Finder – Discover niche topics.
- Today's Fresh Keywords Finder – Track trending keywords.
Final Thoughts
We have thoroughly reviewed GoDaddy’s services for domain registration and website hosting, answering frequently asked questions from users. Whether you are looking to register a domain, purchase hosting, or build a website, we hope this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights.
By using SEO-friendly keywords, this guide aims to rank on Google’s first page for searches related to “How to Buy a Domain and Hosting from GoDaddy.”
enrol now
enroll now