Google quietly starts selling domain registration

[helpremember]

I don't know how long this has been going and according to the article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/06/23/google_domains/?wpisrc=nl_swbd), they aren't making a lot of noise about it. It appears that currently an invitation code is required and I have no idea whether that is hard or easy to get (my guess would be easy).

Here's the link to their domain "store": https://domains.google.com/about//index.html and I noticed on the features page that the list price was $12US. They do include privacy for that price and it's often an additional charge at other places.

Is this a good thing or just another giant tentacle starting to reach out into our online world?

 

[Genesis]

Guess it is up to us. If every one is going to buy domains through Google that is going to just add to its power. Would be a shame as next thing it's going to call the shots in domains as well. I'd prefer some healthy competition among registrars so we can get good prices.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention though. Looks as though one needs an invitation like you said. I'll see how it goes.Up to the point of purchasing a domain. Don't think I'll go further than that. Looks as though they want to combine it with selling a host of other things too, maybe going into competition with WIX?

 

[SocialFame]

To answer your question, I personally believe that it's just Google trying to monopolize yet another sector in the virtual world. It is very frightening how they are so large and continue to grow so quickly.

Great topic though.

 

[cola]

So they are trying to make it on this market place too, and i believe they will do it alright. I believe Google has the most complet services ever.

 

[helpremember]

Guess it is up to us. If every one is going to buy domains through Google that is going to just add to its power. Would be a shame as next thing it's going to call the shots in domains as well. I'd prefer some healthy competition among registrars so we can get good prices.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention though. Looks as though one needs an invitation like you said. I'll see how it goes.Up to the point of purchasing a domain. Don't think I'll go further than that. Looks as though they want to combine it with selling a host of other things too, maybe going into competition with WIX?

So far it looks they aren't severely undercutting the competition. Either way, they won't be on my list of domain sources any time soon.

 

[GigaGreg]

That is a good spot helpremember, good to share.

Google also offers us to build websited with them which is also really quiet.

 

[jaran]

I dont know what exactly google wants with this purpose. But I see if they're selling good custom domain likes eg. *.guru and *.photography. This domain is very unique domain. Only serious people wants to build with this custom domain.

 

[Hazem]

an invite-only beta!

 

[Hells Bells]

Haha .... after the Google+ noisy fiasco Google probably has learned the motto "slowly slowly catchee monkey". Maybe they're just checking it out for now. Quietly.

 

[weilrich]

I think this is yet another attempt by a corporate giant to remove competition (by the little registrars) from the marketplace. Google sees an opportunity to establish a toe-hold in yet another Internet market. The risk is low and the rewards could be very lucrative. It makes business sense.

 

[luke1987]

Would they host webpages as well? The about page somewhat makes it seem that way

 

[grinsmall]

Would they host webpages as well? The about page somewhat makes it seem that way

They are already selling domains at blogger (like what wordpress.com do).

And they provide hosting through Google Sites as well which you can also add a custom domain (selling domains again).

Anyway, $12 doesn't look cheap, would be happy to see if they introduce more competitive pricing.

 

[Sander k]

I requested a code, Lets see what happends.

 

[bucqs]

Yeah I too got invitation recently but the pricing is bit expensive compared to competitive stuff. But sure Google will washout being trusted & supporting all its associated apps.

 

[Hazem]

This service is limited to USA only , for now :undecided:

 

[davinci019z]

yeah but google does sell domains though but they do it in only invite

 

[mediauser]

I think, that it is great. More companies to choose makes prices lower and give better quality to get new customers. If Google give any special service for free to domain (for example GMail in own domain), many people choose it, because they will think, that is solid company.

Other issue is place of domain registrar - when we register domain and change DNS settings we won`t use it any more since its renew or changing settings. It is more important to choose great web hosting provider, than great domain registrar, I think.

 

[Genesis]

I would hesitate to use a Google free domain, as I don't think anything with Google is ever "free". It is a commercial corporation that is very successful in exploiting anything as its shareholders is paying it to do. Google employes a large body of professionals and specialists to watch everything we are doing and trying to get as much info as they can.

What I can see happening - is that because of all of these security problems we are having, attacks and hacking of large Websites, Governments "in the interest of public safety" are going to require people to have a license to have a Website one of these days. There may be tighter control. In which case the large corporations probably will be scoring as they would probably "advise" Governments how to go about this, and cream in the licensing revenues.

 

[imama]

They have started with blogger by owning the second most used blogging platform they they started google apps enginge for hosting websites and web apps and now this. Seems they want to own the whole market but the prices are still high. They will have to cut them to get some sales..