Domain Privacy Costs By Registrar
Domain name privacy is typically purchased as an add-on during the normal domain name registration process. While domain privacy is available for free with some domain name registrars, most charge an extra $8 to $12 per year for the service. Those that come with free domain privacy are generally those that charge a slightly higher price for the domain name, so its worth looking into which registrar best suits your overall needs.
- GoDaddy: Domains come standard with basic privacy protection and domains, on average, cost around $12 per year.
- Namecheap: As the name suggests, Namecheap is one of the cheapest ways to purchase domains online the average price of a .com is around $9 per year, which includes free domain privacy.
- Hover: While Hover domains cost slightly more than other domain registrars at around $12.99 per year, all domains come standard with free domain privacy, making it a good value.
- Bluehost: While Bluehost web hosting plans come with a free domain, you can also purchase an individual domain for around $12 per year. To get domain privacy, you will have to pay an additional $11.88 per year.
- DreamHost: Buying a domain from DreamHost will only cost you around $8 to $12 per yearincluding domain privacy. For an even better deal, its web hosting plans come with a free domain name .
Not sure which one to use? Get the complete breakdown of the best domain registrars.
My Advice On Domain Privacy Protection
If youre working on a very tight budget, I would recommend not signing up for privacy protection until you start generating more income when you can later afford it. You could end up getting spammed by unethical marketing companies but just keep in mind that you dont have to respond to any offer that you dont want to answer. Instead, you can block their telephone number or email address. Additionally, you can provide them with an email account that you dont check that much therefore you dont see all the spam.
However, if you have the money I would recommend signing up for privacy protection. As I mentioned above, its usually going to cost $2.99 to $7.99 a year depending on what registrar you use. A lot of companies will give you domain privacy protection for free for the first year, but make sure you cancel it the next year if you dont want to pay for it. Will typically be a small business expense that will save you lots of time dealing with unsolicited spam.
For me, its worth it to use privacy protection otherwise my cell phone would ring all day long with sales calls. If you are not using domain privacy right now and are getting spammed, I would highly recommend purchasing it. I didnt use it for three years, but finally got sick and tired of the spam I received. Also, your email spam will be greatly reduced if you have privacy protection.
Who Owns The Domain
The only downside to using domain privacy protection is that its not clear who owns the domain. ICANN and other domain authorities define who owns the domain by what is listed on WHOIS. That means that the organization listed as the registrant is technically the legal owner of the domain.
For most people, this will never cause a problem, especially if you use a reputable registrar, but its something you should consider before using a private domain.
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What Is Domain Privacy Do You Really Need Private Registration
You are required to provide current contact info with your domain registration. But do you have to share it with the world?
No not if youre smart about it.
When you register a domain name, youre required to provide contact details including your name, physical address, e-mail address and telephone number. ICANN collects that information and displays it in a public directory.
Needless to say, one shouldnt leave all that info hanging out for public consumption.
Do You Need Domain Name Privacy
Once you have registered a domain name, your personal data, such as your name, physical address, e-mail and telephone number are saved in a publicly available database called WHOIS. Domain name privacy protection is an option that web hosting companies offer to prevent spamming and exposure of personal information of a domains registered owners.
Here at BlackSun, we do more than just provide powerful web hosting. We also provide extra tools to help protect our clients and their personal information. One of these features is Domain Privacy.
Domain Privacy protection can provide a sense of security, buying it is a choice, not a must-do for your business. At BlackSun we mask your personal information. You own your domain, but your contact information wont be publicly displayed.
You can trace the ownership of any domain on the internet using the WHOIS lookup feature. In the following image, we search the domain registrant details for Nike.com.
Below, we can see different information like the registrars names and when the registration expires. Moreover, in which city the company is located, address, phone and email.
For companies like Nike, it is not significant to have this information exposed. However, for smaller companies and business owners, this is sensitive information and should be protected.
In the following image, you can see how your information will look like if you decide to add BlackSuns ID protection to your domain names.
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How Can I Get Domain Privacy Protection
Most Hosting companies provide Domain Privacy Protection for a small yearly fee ranging anywhere from $2.99 to $7.99. You may also see a Protection Plan offered from the company in which you are buying your domain.
But what if you could get your Domain Privacy Protection for FREE? You dont want your information out, and neither do we, that is why all domains registered with KnownHost include free domain privacy!! KnownHost will never hold your domain hostage and outbound transfers are in no way delayed by us, the ability to lock/unlock the domain for transfer and retrieve the transfer code is available in our client portal to you at all times. KnownHost also offers domain transfers for your current domains, so its never too late to get Domain Privacy Protection for FREE!
You Could Fall Victim To Identity Theft
When your private information is available publicly, just about anyone can access it, which includes identity thieves. This is a huge risk, especially for business owners, as someone could smear your name in crime related dealings because they have your information.
And if youre in the middle of developing a new concept, or building your business website, youd like to still keep it in stealth mode, or else, people will get to know who is behind the project. By purchasing privacy protection, not only your personal data, but your identity can be protected and no one can get hold of your personal information to hack or steal your identity.
Whats more, if your website is hacked, you risk losing the trust youve built with your customers overtime in a single occurrence. A problem such as that is better avoided than allow it to destroy your small business.
If youre not already using privacy protection for your domain and you are getting heavily spammed simply purchase it and your email and phone spam will be reduced once you have privacy protection enabled on your domain.
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For All The Benefits You Get Its Cheap
Maybe none of these benefits would be worth it if they came with a hefty price tag, but you dont have to spend hundreds of dollars to increase privacy and reduce spam.
Domain privacy protection is very affordable, considering the benefits. At around $15 a year, you can keep yourself and your brand safer, while saving yourself the annoyance of more unnecessary contact attempts from spammers. Thats probably less than you spent the last time you went out to eat.
What You Should Know About Domain Privacy Protection
What happens when you look up your domain name? Is your information public? Can I see your full name, address, email address, and phone number? Did you know that your personal info could be made public after you register a domain? If that makes you a little bit uncomfortable, you should know that theres something called domain privacy protection that will protect all your personal information.
Heres everything you should know about domain privacy protection:
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Importance Of Domain Privacy Protection
The process of domain privacy protection makes sure that the personal information will not get published on the web. The publicly visible details of contact are replaced by safety measures and alternative information is created which is then made available by your registrar of domain name. The attainment of domain privacy protection is really important if you do not want your information to be used by spammers and hackers. The basic benefits of domain privacy protection are listed as under:
How To Protect Your Info When Purchasing A Domain
If youve purchased your domain from WordPress.com or Google/Blogger, you dont have to worry about domain privacy. You are already protected.
If you want to purchase a new domain name, add the domain to your cart and add the privacy protection before you check out. This is available for .com or .net domains, but it might not be available for less popular domain extensions.
Some domain registrars call it domain privacy protection, others call it WhoisGuard, Whois protection, or private domain registration.
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Unwanted Calls & Text Messages
If anyone knows about annoying phone calls and text messages its me. On average I get about 1 phone call or text every single day from people trying to sell me something or get me to click through on a text about some crappy offer.
Email is one thing but when they target your phone believe me it can get SUPER annoying! Ive had calls from all over the world including Cyprus, India, UK, Netherlands, Australia and Nigeria to name a few. The text messages always come from a new number so its impossible to block and pointless to try and follow up.
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So Ask Yourselfdo I Need Domain Privacy
If the answer is yes, then I highly recommend that you use a domain privacy service.If your registrar does not offer Whois privacy protection you can transfer your domain to a registrar that does.
In my view domain privacy protection is definitely worth it and I use a Whois privacy protection service called WhoisGuard. This service is available on domains registered with Namecheap.
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How Can You Get Domain Privacy Protection
You can get domain privacy protection while registering your domain name. The domain registrar or hosting provider offers domain privacy protection with their domain names. This usually includes the add-on features.
If you are still confused then you must go through with reasons which make sense that why there is a need for Domain Privacy Protection?
Do You Need To Make Your Domain Private
Only you can decide and drop the hammer on this. However, there are a number of reasons why people ask themselves this question during the Godaddy checkout screen.
The Godaddy Domain PrivacyProtection is 100% optional and not required to make a domain purchase. But should you just buy it anyway? One thing that you MUST remember is that if you DONT get domain privacy, then your personal information WILL be available to the public.
There are many disadvantages to not biting the bullet and adding the Godaddy Domain Privacy Protection.
For starters, your email will be flooded with spam-like emails from web developers and other sales oriented companies offering you their services. They will constantly try to market web design services, SEO services, etc. Also, your phone will also ring off the hook all day long with sales calls from out of state or unknown numbers. I say this because it has happened to me in the past.
So if you want to avoid unnecessary frustration, then prevent your personal info from being exposed on the public domain by getting the Godaddy domain privacy is worth it. However, if you are someone who doesnt care who calls you at all hours of the day and dont mind getting SPAM emails, then skip domain privacy.
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Protect Competitors From Finding Your Info
When your entire information will be saved with domain privacy protection services, you will be able to protect the competitors from using your information. Your personal and business information cannot be leaked out when you use domain privacy protection services. The competitors can steal your business information and can use it in their business strategies. You cannot tolerate if your competitors are using the same strategies as you are so you need to prevent your information. So, if you do not want your competitors to look in for your business and personal information, then you need to use domain privacy protection services for sure.
Protection Vs No Protection
Above is what it looks like if you have no protection. As you can clearly see, this shows all of your personal information. Can leave you wide open for spam, unsolicited marketing contacts, and even allow your domain name to get hijacked.
Above is what it looks like when you have protection. You can see that your domain name, address, email, phone number, etc. is all hidden behind a proxy. Typically, the words Domains by Proxy, Inc are the owner, which isnt your real information. Makes it a lot harder for people to reach out to you by looking through your information. You are paying to mask your identity.
Below are a couple of options that I have seen other webmasters use to get around using privacy protection.
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What Is Domain Privacy Protection Service Offered By Bluehost
Domain Privacy Protection is undeniably one of the quintessential features offered by Bluehost while Registering a Domain with them because this is exactly how you can really protect your personal information from spammers. If you are planning to buy a Bluehost domain and hosting, you may even come across their popular Package Extra service known as Bluehost Domain Privacy Protection while Signing Up with them.
This might make you start asking yourselfIs Bluehost Domain Privacy + Protection even worth it or not? No doubt, this is a great question that indeed merits an answer! My answer would be YES but again it DEPENDS, but WHY??? Lets figure it out in this detailed review to know more if Bluehost Domain Privacy Protection is worth the cost associated with it or there any FREE Alternative available