I agree. The few domains I have there, I'm really happy about. I love how it really focuses on domains first.

However, with the email service, google apps, and web forwarding, I'm a little concerned they'll start up-selling ssl, hosting, seo, website builders, etc, etc, etc, etc.

I think it would be hard NOT to do this as a domain registrar given how it probably feels like you're just leaving money on the table by not selling all these other related services.

namecheap is also great IMHO

Would as well recommend Namecheap.com, really professional.

I liked Namecheap, but have had major issues with their DNS service. you can't switch off of them without downtime. So don't use their dns, otherwise you are locked in. which is kinda shitty.

> I liked Namecheap, but have had major issues with their DNS service. you can't switch off of them without downtime.

That doesn't make any sense. As long as you set up the proper records in your new DNS provider prior to switching nameservers, there'll be no interruption.

It sounds like you switched nameservers first, assuming the records would just transfer over?

Namecheap controls both the domain name settings and the dns (if you use theirs). The moment you switch the nameservers for the domain, they immediately purge the records from their DNS.

So, when you point to new nameservers, anyone pointing to namecheap's dns during propagation will get SERVFAIL.

It sounds absurd... but I've gone back and forth with support about it, with no solution.

Interesting tip. I'm taking away the fact that I should transfer the nameservers away immediately after buying/transferring a domain (for Cloudfront, I presume?). Other than that, and ColdFusion hacks aside, my experience with them has also been fantastic.

Ah, that makes more sense. Haven't used their DNS - do they let you drop the TTL, at least?

haven't had any of those problems with Hover's DNS service, which is surprisingly full-featured for an self-styled minimalist service.

+1 for Namecheap, although I don't use their own DNS.

gandi.net is great

Seconded. They are a bit more expensive, but to me it's worth it. On the negative side their control panel is subpar, but there are tutorials to side-step that.

I'll jump on the Gandi bandwagon. Great customer service, communications when things go down, support for IPv6 and DNSSEC, an easy-to-understand API, reasonable prices. I am really happy with them. Just transferred the last of my domains from GoDaddy last month, and I'll be off Dotster before the end of this month. (I left Network Solutions a long time ago, and good riddance.)

i highly recommend gandi to everyone. Very good service, probably the best Europe based registration companies around.