However, I do use their DNS control panel (dns.godaddy.com). You can put in any external domain (no need to transfer). Their DNS manager supports almost every type of record including AAAA and TXT. It's much better than the DNS managers I've used in the past.

I would point out, however, that GoDaddy's focus is on small businesses that (generally) aren't tech savvy and want to buy a domain with email and a hosting account. Those of us that are more tech savvy are more likely to find better prices for various products at different places rather than paying the extra for the convenience of getting it all in one place.

GoDaddy offers a lot of products I didn't even know existing before I started working here, like Online Storage.

The free manager supports A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SPF, SRV, NS.

There's a bulk edit and import feature but I don't know if those allow you to use other record types.

Of course, that setup-cost would go down if I used GD all the time. However, my brief experience with them is that they nickel and dime you for a lot of things...is this still the case? For example, private-registration (obscuring your WHOIS by having it be under something like "Dreamhost Services") cost $9.99 a year...DH offers domains for $9.99 and private-registration is the default.

Also, I hate feeling like I'm logging onto an adult site when I'm just trying to configure DNS. I know sex sells but GD is just shameless.

I'd put up with this crap for a free service, but when you're a commodity then you better add some non-negative value to your service.

Jesus, how did GD get so big anyway? Are horny geeks this gullible?

For example, there was an email was used to send out with new accounts that had tons of ads and coupons. No one clicked on it. We're working on a new simple one with one button and small 20% off coupon at the bottom. Conversions went from 0% to 28%.

My roommate, who after 10 years of using a Mac still doesn't know what a right-click is, has registered all of her domains through Godaddy (and guess who has to help maintain them...)

This has annoyed the hell out of me too for a long time. I have no problem if, say, Victoria's Secret tries to sell me their product with a sex-sells strategy, but internet domains? You gotta be frakkin kiddin me.

I use multiple registrars -- Dreamhost for most things, Namecheap for anything DH doesn't support and Ghandi for the remaining ones (mainly .es).

I probably should add them to the registrar list -- thanks for bringing it up.

Most other services try to provide about 300 extra services (from hosting to hosted apps and junk I don't care about), and not only spread their support too thin, but make the entire experience (initial purchase to setup to maintenance) less efficient.

Accessing the panel to change DNS records shouldn't be 7 or so clicks away from the dashboard.

I really haven't had any problem getting anything done with any other provider.

Between their customer service, their ethics, their past poor behavior, their shitty admin, etc I would happily spend a much greater margin for !(GoDaddy) than I've ever seen in .com/,net/.org type domains. (And the ones that vary more between registrars aren't even available on GoDaddy anyway.)

With plenty of competitors out there, most offering similar prices and better services, I don't see any reason to use GoDaddy.

But it is curious that 27% still use it. I'm guessing those people are just too lazy to switch.

If you don't have a lot of domains it is easier to use other registrars, and most HN users are concerned only with their few projects.

So happy to get away from GD

They also plan to release a revamped dashboard early next year.

https://iwantmyname.com/about

I love iwantmyname, I buy all my .io names from there.

http://www.icann.org/registrar-reports/accredited-list.html

Most of our TLDs are registered through 1API which is a pure wholesale registrar and we're having a very close business relationship with them. I can promise you if there ever is an issue on the registrar/registry relationship part of the business, we will be able to solve it faster than many ICANN registrars.

If you want a reasonably safe registration, pick a domain in a country-code TLD with laws you like and registry directly with the registry.

They're also on the ICANN Accredited Registrar list.

I think you mean we need an open solution to domain registration.

DNS is one of the oldest open Internet protocols.