Domain name privacy
Submitted by Jack on Mon, 07/30/2007 - 15:49.
I'm registering a couple of domain names for the first time. Godaddy offers the option to make personal info private from Whois spammers. I'm wondering how worthwhile this extra expense is and if many people use it. Any idea? Thanks, Jack Schmitt
I've used this option for every single domain name I've purchased and wouldn't even think about buing a domain without using this option.
This protects you from spammers, but it also keeps your competition from knowing what websites you own and what other areas you might be in.
James
I register all of my domains anonymously. Not only does it protect you from spammers, but it also keeps your sites hidden from your competitors.
Sorry for the dumb questions but I am just learning.
can't someone still get your name or company name from the whois and therefore tell how many sites you're affiliated with? or do you start a different company for each site? Seems cumbersome and cost prohibitive. :?
You can register your domains by proxy. To see a live example check out the WHOIS info for AudioBookHub.com (my domain) -
http://whois.domaintools.com/audiobookhub.com
Best,
Jeremy
Jeremy,
Do you think that registering a domain name anonymously hurts the site with regards to seo?
Thanks,
Kmacy
I'm not 100% sure on this. Google released a patent application a couple of years back that talked about this as a ranking factor. It's not clear whether or not they've employed it on the live algo.
Quoting BakedJake from Webmaster World 2005 - "Good webmasters register domains anonymously (proxy), smarter webmasters just make up contact info"
Keep in mind that making up contact info may be against the terms of service of your registrar, and possibly against the law... just sharing what I learned at Webmaster World a few years back.
I register my domains through proxy. I haven't seen it hurt or help my rankings, but it has kept my sites under the radar.
Just to add to the warning about making up contact info - if you ever need to transfer a domain from host to host or have problems with a registrant, you may perminantly lose your domain if you can't validate your ownership.
I've had issues as a consultant in the past with a couple of businesses where a former employee had registered the domain in only his name and the passwords got lost or misplaced. In order to transfer the domain anywhere (re-register it / move the hosting, etc. etc.), the companies had to jump through several hoops of written and signed documentation to prove that they were indeed the rightful owners of the domain.
-Denise
Hi. This is my first post. I've really enjoyed reading all the posts of the smart and persistent people here. Jeremy, your book is great and I purchased your PPC course.
Regarding the notion of privacy and not letting your competitors see what you're up to you have to keep in mind that one could use a reverse IP and see what other sites are hosted at the same location and come up with a significant list of your sites and other domains if they see a naming or design pattern. Perhaps this isn't a big deal but it can reveal quite a bit about how a person constructs their offers and what they're selling.
This depends on where your sites are hosted. If you do not have a dedicated server but rather use one of the large hosters such as Yahoo etc, reverse IP reveals pretty much zero information - a competitor who did it would get like 1000 domains from which maybe 10 belonged to you. With a dedicated server, you give away more information, but IMHO it is still nothing to worry about from a certain point on - I have over 100 different domains now from which only a handful are seriously profitable. It's practically impossible to obtain any useful information from that.
I have always purchased domains without regard to privacy. The little spam Ihave gotten was helpful. Buying and maintaining an inventory of domains is an expensive proposition. Going private almost doubles the expense. I think if your competition really wants to peep into your activities, there are other and better sources of info to gleam from.
1and1.com provides free privacy with each domain name. Their .com's are only $6.99.
Gigglesoup
Go with a domain company that offers Privacy for FREE. This is a simple thing and Godaddy and some others just try to get as much as they can from you. I have a few domains with Godaddy but do not recommend them. The site is a turn-off and every process you go through is an advertisement always in your face, always some add-on, etc.
I second the 1and1.com recommendation.
I have a lot of domains through 1and1.com because they have Privacy option for free.
Godaddy is overrated in my opinion. And another thing, I have tried transferring one of my domains from Godaddy for the longest time, and they make it sooooo difficult. Unlocking, then a special authorization code, then you have to wait 60 days, it goes on and on...
Now that my rant on Godaddy is over, I think I'll login to my simple 1and1.com page and work on my site!
Here! Here! I'll recommend 1and1.com any day. I have been using their service for quite a while now and you can't find a better hosting company. I host all of my sites and have moved all my domains from Dotster and GoDaddy to 1and1.com.
Cheers,
Jason Woods
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I host most of my domains at GoDaddy and Moniker.com. I'll have to check out 1&1 as a potential registrar.
I might check that out too. With close to 100 domains, all private, that could be big savings.
Thanks for the info.
James
I have domain names at both 1and1.com and GoDaddy. Another thing I like about 1and1 is that when you renew your names the price is always the same. For example, when you register more than 5 domain names at GoDaddy you get a bit of a discount, and the privacy is free. But, when it comes time for renewal, you have to pay full price, which includes the full-price for the domain name and the privacy fee. But, again, at 1and1 it's just $6.99 and the privacy is free! The first time I had a GoDaddy domain name renewal was quite a sticker shock. They can really reel you in with the domain name sales, but then it's another story at renewal time.
Gigglesoup
Thanks a million for your wonderful affiliate training. I have paid for a few training packages but none of them comes near what you are doing on the affiliate webinars - and for free!
My question here is: did you check out 1and1.com? If you did, what is your take on it? Thanks
Olakitan Wellington
I've hosted some smaller sites with them, but I haven't moved any domains over to them yet. GoDaddy is getting the job done for me, but I always like to have options - just in case ;)