My Own Website - Domain Provider Comparison

• GoDaddy
• Google Domains
• HostPapa

The Ground Rules:

1. We have no affiliation with any of the Services, Companies or Websites that are cited, alluded to, or Compared in this Article
2. All Comparisons are just our opinions and our experience when using the Services that are compared
3. Any monetary amounts documented, are in AUD (Australian Dollars), unless marked otherwise, and were the Costs incurred on purchase, or the ongoing Costs that are being paid

GoDaddy domains

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• The Original Cost quoted after the Domain Search was $18.95 per year - sounds reasonable
• 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 !!

GoDaddy 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 revealed at the LAST MINUTE when Purchasing is EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!!

Google Domains

• 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

• 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 Domains with both our new and existing Websites 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

• Email Aliases are included - more of that later
• Google provides a host of FREE Services from Web Hosting to Search Engine Optimisation
• Paid Services are also available if required

• 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

• The Original Cost quoted after the Domain Search was $18.00 per year
• Privacy Protection (to hide your Registered Address from the World) IS PROVIDED free
• ICANN Registration Fee of $0.30 IS PROVIDED free
• The ONLY hidden cost is Local TAX
• Total Yearly Cost: $18.00 + $1.80 = $19.80 AUD

Google Domains Conclusion

HostPapa

GoDaddy domains Vs Google Domains Conclusion

My Own Website - Series

Fiction

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