Google Domains Unexpectedly Shutting Down | 4 Cheap Alternatives to Explore

It has barely been a year since Google Domains exited its beta version after seven long years. Considering Google takes its beta exits very seriously, the news of Google Domains shutting down less than three months after the beta exit comes completely out of the blue. 

Two weeks ago, Squarespace published a press release suggesting that:

Squarespace “has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with Google, whereby Squarespace will acquire the assets associated with the Google Domains business, which will be winding down following a transition period.”

Transactions are expected to close in the third quarter of 2023. Google, however, has chosen to remain silent so far. 

In June this year, Google Domains boasted an impressive 10 million registered domains across its vast user base. Unfortunately, the recent news of domain transfers to Squarespace has left many users uneasy. They now face the daunting task of adapting to an entirely new interface and unfamiliar capabilities.

Concerns have also arisen on whether this counts as selling personal data to a third party. As a counterpoint, some are alluding to the fact that in cases of company or sub-company sales, customer data is securely transferred and falls under the privacy notice of the acquiring company.

Apart from having to familiarize with a new interface, there is a bigger problem with the transfer. The high price point.

At $20 for a .com domain, compared to Google Domains’ $12 price, the shift to Squarespace significantly impact your budget.

Even though Squarespace has provided assurance that domain renewal prices will be kept the same as Google Domains for at least 12 months after the acquisition, the subsequent expenditure is raising concerns.

At this point, we want to make it clear that we hold no animosity towards Squarespace, which is a reputable domain registrar with 1 million domains. However, if you’re looking for alternatives to Google Domains that won’t break the bank, let’s explore some cost-effective options.

4 Low-Cost Alternatives to Google Domains

1. Namecheap

Domain transfers get a price of $9.78 for a .com domain for the first year with a subsequent renewal price of $14.58. Namecheap provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of domain extensions, resembling the simplicity of Google Domains. It comes with full Whois privacy (unlike Squarespace’s redacted version) with add-ons like DNS, etc. However, you may need to pay extra for DDoS, VPN, and emails. Additionally, Namecheap is launching a product called Spaceship that will sell domains at lesser-than-wholesale cost by combining the domain with email packages and shared hosting.

Transfer Price: $9.78

Renewal Price: $14.58

2. Dynadot

Dynadot is a reliable alternative to Google Domains that provides .com domain transfers and renewals at $15.99. You get a user-friendly platform, full Whois privacy for free, additional tools for website management, easy checkout, and good customer support. You also get services like SSL certification, email hosting, VPS, and DNS support.

Transfer Price: $15.99

Renewal Price: $15.99

3. NameSilo

NameSilo offers competitive pricing at around $10 for .com domains, including free Whois privacy protection and email forwarding. Like Google Domains, there are no hidden costs involved. In addition to the competitive pricing, you get fast DNS propagation, great domain management features, top-class customer support, and more.

Transfer Price: $10 (Approx.)

4. Porkbun

Since the news of Google Domains shutting down, Porkbun has seen a 50x increase in domain transfers. That’s primarily because of the cheap pricing ($9.73 for transfer and renewal of a .com domain) and the free features that come with it. 

Porkbun is great for small and medium-sized businesses because you get shared hosting. This means no dedicated servers or VPS. But you get free SSL certificates via LetsEncrypt for any domain you purchase which can be used with any hosting company.

Transfer Price: $9.73

Renewal Price: $9.73

What’s Next?

While the future of Google Domains remains uncertain, exploring alternative domain registration providers is a wise step. The above-mentioned providers offer similar features, pricing transparency, and user-friendly interfaces. Consider your specific requirements and analyze each alternative to make an informed decision. Remember to back up your domain data and prepare for a seamless migration to ensure uninterrupted online presence.

Need help choosing the right domain registrar and handling the transfer process? We have the industry experience and knowledge to help you make a smooth switch. Don’t let the uncertainty surrounding Google Domains disrupt your online presence. Contact us today to receive personalized assistance. 

Phone: (888) 811-3073

Email: support@codaemon.com