Domain Registrars.. Which?

[Natkits]

Hi folks

Over the years I've acquired a few domain names spread over a couple of registrars. One at freeparking.co.uk has just come up for renewal and it's £15 for 2yrs... £5 more than I originally paid. :|

I'm wondering if that's a standard thing amongst registrars, get your business cheap with the first registartion then charge more for renewals?

Also, who do you use, and why?

Are there any companies in particular to avoid or be recommended?

Thanks

[TWD-Tony]

I've certainly never come accross a domain renewal being more than a registration before - but the "introductory discount" business model is certainly becoming popular with suppliers of any product / service that requires renewal (insurance being another example), so there is no reason why it shouldn't work for domain names...

I don't think that there is a lot of price difference between registrars these days anyway - most are down to the bare minimum in terms of markup just to compete. You might want to try a USA based registrar as they are generally cheaper but this is down to the current exchange rate than anything else

[monaghan]

I'm currently looking at Nominet membership as I've never been completely happy with any of the registrars I've used.

As Tony suggests, many companies are selling domains at little or no profit these days, this is often accompanied by upselling at every available oppertunity or lock-ins like a release fee if you transfer away.

If you're happy with the service, then to be honest the effort involved for you to transfer elsewhere to save a few £ is probably not worth it.

I used to use 123-reg before Pipex took them over, they charge 18p over the Nominet fee and accept credit card payment - I'll leave you to do the maths, but we couldn't run on this margin

[JamesSmith]

The American registrar's actually don’t even try and compete with .uk registrations compared to what those in the UK do.

People sell cheap domains to attract you to buy other services.

For the record, every Nominet agent pays the same rate for a domain per two years and that is £5 + VAT, anyone selling below this is taking a hit.

We ourselves give a free domain name away to those who pay semi-annually or annually.

[Brian Turner]

I used 123-reg for UK domains - it's not exactly pricy, and cheaper than £15!!

I used to use Enom, Registerfly, and also GoDaddy and Gandi for .com's etc, but now I'm buying from Moniker.

There's more on domain name registrars here:
http://www.platinax.co.uk/blog/37-do...tion-services/

[Natkits]

Thanks for the info fellas, and thanks for that link Brian.
I did do a forum search for the info first but didnt come across that link

By the way Brian, on your homepage, the forum, news and directory buttons beneath the images don't work.. the blog one works fine though O.o

[cinderella]

learn from above