What is GoDaddy Private Domain Registration?
GoDaddy Private Domain is a privacy service, that is offered by GoDaddy that enables domain owners to register a domain without revealing their personal information to the public.
When a person purchases a domain name, they are required to provide details such as their full name, address, email, and phone number. This information is stored in a directory that is publicly available. To mask those details and hide it from the public, one can pay for private domain registration also known as domain privacy.
The personal information of its users is protected by GoDaddy's affiliate company – Domains By Proxy. In addition to the registrar account offered by GoDaddy, users are offered a separate account for managing their private registration, this enables them to have two powerful and unique layers of protection. The service was launched in 2002 and was the first ever on the Internet.
Why You Need Private Domain Protection
As has been pointed out above, if a person registers a domain name, they are required to provide their address, phone number, email, and full name in a directory that is accessible to members of the public. Malicious persons may access such information with a view to harming the owners of that information. Those publicly-available contact details may also expose the owners to fraudulent practices like phishing, spamming, etc. There is also the threat of identity theft
That is why private domain protection is important. The domain owner is able to keep their details confidential.
Furthermore, private domain protection ensures enhanced security for domain names reducing incidents of domain name thefts, unauthorized domain name actions, etc.
How GoDaddy Private Domain Registration Works
There are two options for activating GoDaddy private domain registration. The first option is when one is registering a new domain name. They will be prompted to add domain privacy but it is optional. Also, after someone has registered a domain name, they can still activate GoDaddy domain privacy.
When one activates GoDaddy private domain registration, the service will mask their contact details in the public database and replace it with GoDaddy details. For instance, the column for the email address of the domain owner will now feature a GoDaddy email address. That is what will be visible to members of the public.
Key Features of GoDaddy Private Domain Protection
- Substitution of domain owner’s contact details with GoDaddy proxy details.
- Security against unauthorized domain actions such as transferring or deletion of domain names
- Expiration protection: This ensures that a domain name will remain active for an additional 90 days after the owner failed to pay the renewal fees.
- Protects your personal information and shields your domain name from misuse.
- Privacy hides your personal information from being viewed by the public in the WHOIS directory.
- The protected registration process protects from malicious domain transfer and expiration.
- The certified domain ownership proves to visitors of your website that its ownership is valid.
- The business registration creates an internet business card in the who is directory.
- You will be given an option of choosing hosting and website builder services.
- You are then given the option of adding e-mail to your domain. For example [email protected]. You will be given two options either business e-mail or unlimited business email.
Benefits of privacy protection
- Protects your personal information and hides your identity from WHOIS searches.
- Helps in stopping domain hijacking.
- Helps prevent domain related spam.
- Helps in protecting you from harassers and stalkers.
- Your personal information is hidden – phone number, e-mail, and name – from public view in the WHOIS directory.
Note:
i. The the total price of the GoDaddy private registration includes ICANN ( Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) fees. ICANN is the governing body of domain names, it requires contact information that is valid (technical registrant, administrative, and billing).
ii. If you enter false information the domain name you selected could be canceled.
iii. If you wish, you may request for an Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate for your privately-registered domain name.
Who Should Use GoDaddy Private Domain Registration?
Anyone wishing to register a domain name and also wants to protect himself from threats to his or her online security should use GoDaddy private domain. Potential threats include identity theft, ,spam, stalkers, and harrasment.
Advantages of GoDaddy Private domain registration
1. Stop domain-related spam – If you haven't used private domain registration spammers may infiltrate the email system of your business – causing problems for both you and your customers. Telemarketers also scour the WHOIS database looking for phone numbers to add to their own phone lists.
2. End data mining.
3. Block stalkers and harassers – GoDaddy private domain service hides your contact information during the expiration period of your domain name to protect you from being harassed and stalked.
4. Maintain the privacy of you and your family.
5. Protect your identity – Anyone trying to know your identity for nefarious purposes will only be able to see your proxy service (Domain By Proxy) postal address, phone number and name – they will not be able to view your personal information.
6. Prevent your domain name from being hijacked. If you do not protect your domain and someone steals your domain, he or she can use it to spread malware, facilitate scams, relay spam and fraudulent information, or even for worse activities.
7. Shield your legitimate business endeavors.
8. You will retain full control of your domain – You can sell, cancel, transfer or renew your domain, set-up name servers for your domain and also resolve any disputes that involve your domain.
9. You will be able to control and manage all email that are addressed to your domain, as well as your domain's contact information, with the Domains By Proxy's patented email handling and registration systems.
10. GoDaddy will always keep you well informed and send you warning notifications when your Domains are near their expiring date.
11. GoDaddy always offers some great discounts, for example when you buy a .com domain name you will get a .info for free, you will also e offered a coupon code that you can use to reduce the price of your GoDaddy private registration fees.
How To Add Private Domain Registration on GoDaddy
GoDaddy gives customers the chance to opt in for domain privacy when they are registering new domain names. For those that want to upgrade to higher domain protection plans, here is how to go about it.
- Sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio
- If you have multiple domain names registered, click on the particular one you want to get domain protection for.
- The domain settings page for that particular domain name will be displayed.
- Choose the domain protection service you want and click checkout.
- The final step is to complete the payment process.
GoDaddy Basic Privacy vs Full Domain Protection
The GoDaddy Basic domain privacy service only masks the domain owner’s contact details and nothing more. On the other hand, the GoDaddy full domain protection package includes the masking of domain owner’s contact details as well as other security features such as preventing unauthorized transferring and deleting of domain names, expiration protection, etc.
| GoDaddy Basic Domain Privacy Feature | GoDaddy Full Domain Protection |
| Is part of GoDaddy domain name registration package. | Not automatically added to GoDaddy domain name registration package. Customers have to select it. |
| Comes at no extra cost. | Must be paid for. |
| Masking and substitution of customer’s contact details. | Masking of customer’s contact details is available. |
| No security against unauthorized domain actions. | Security against unauthorized domain actions. |
Pros and Cons of GoDaddy Private Domain Registration
Pros
- Protection against identity theft, phishing etc.
- Blocks and prevents spam.
- Expiration protection.
- Prevents authorized domain name actions
- Affordable.
Cons
- Domain privacy may make a legitimate website look suspicious to some.
- Places unnecessary restrictions on domain owners.
Is GoDaddy Domain Privacy Safe and Secure?
The GoDaddy domain privacy service is provided by their privacy partner, Domains By Proxy and their services are safe and secure. Of course, GoDaddy is a renowned web services provider and they don’t joke with cyber security.
GoDaddy Domain Privacy Compared With Other Registrars
| GoDaddy | Cloudflare | Bluehost |
| Domain privacy is free. | Domain privacy is free. | Domain privacy is only free for higher tier plans. |
| Prevention of unauthorized domain actions, such as transferring away, changing name servers, and editing domain contact information. | Customized authentication process for stronger security | Domain expiration protection. |
| Expiration Protection. | Protection from domain hijacking. | Blacklist monitoring. |
| Fully locked domains, preventing ownership transfers without authorization. | SMS alerts on changes to domain name. |
How Much Does GoDaddy Domain Privacy Cost?
GoDaddy domain privacy is free for those that register new domain names. However the GoDaddy full domain protection plan costs $10 a year while the GoDaddy ultimate domain protection plan costs up to $20 a year.
Is GoDaddy Private Domain Registration Worth It?
In a nutshell, opting in for GoDaddy private domain registration is not a bad idea. The domain owner’s private details will be kept confidential and away from the prying eyes of the public. The private domain registration can also be extended to include other features such as expiration protection. This ensures that even if a domain owner’s payment method fails, they will still get a 90-day window to make payment. It is only after the 90-day window has expired that the domain will be cancelled.
What Customers Say About GoDaddy Private Domain Registration
Common Issues and Complaints Users Report
Most persons who have used GoDaddy domain privacy and domain protection services believe that the domain privacy feature which is free sufficiently meets their security needs and that spending extra money for domain protection is wasteful.
Some also complain of unsatisfactory support services including customer reps that are not fluent in English language.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy GoDaddy Private Domain Registration
Whether or not one should buy GoDaddy private domain registration and GoDaddy domain protection services will depend on individual needs. If the GoDaddy domain privacy, which is free, completely meets your security needs, then there is no need to shell out extra money for full domain protection. However, where domain privacy does not sufficiently meet your security needs, then you should consider paying for GoDaddy domain protection. It is affordable and useful. It will ensure that you don’t mistakenly delete or transfer your domain name. Also, should your auto renewal payment method fail for whatever reason, your domain will still remain active for the next 90 days giving you sufficient time to pay.