Google Domains has announced its plans to close down and transfer its existing customers to Squarespace. Since the platform lacks total WHOIS privacy, and charges higher prices, you might be looking for a Google Domains alternative.
Fortunately, there are tons of great domain registrars to choose from. Better yet, you can find top-level domains, access low renewal rates, and find options that include free privacy and protection.
👉 In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why you might consider a Google Domains alternative. Then, we’ll discuss some of the best options for your website. Let’s get started!
Why consider a Google Domains alternative?
If you run a website, you need to register a domain so that people know where to find you online. Typically, a domain should be unique, short, and memorable, allowing users to enter your domain name in the address bar of their browser easily.
In the past, Google domains has been an excellent way to find and register website domains. However, recently, Google Domains announced that it will be shutting down [1].
💼 Instead, Squarespace will acquire the business [2]:
This means that all existing customers and domains will automatically be transferred to Squarespace once the transaction closes. If you’re happy to continue with Squarespace, then you don’t have to do anything when the change takes place.
However, there are some reasons why you might consider a Google Domains alternative. For starters, Squarespace charges steeper prices for top-level domains (TLDs) compared with Google. For example, the exact domain that would cost $30 with Google Domains costs $50 on Squarespace.
Plus, Squarespace provides WHOIS redaction that removes personal data (with the exception of country, state, and organization). While this may be useful for some users, others might prefer a domain registrar that offers total WHOIS privacy.
The best Google Domains alternative (5 options)
Now that you know why it’s a good idea to consider a Google Domains alternative, let’s take a look at some of the best options for your website.
1. Namecheap
Namecheap is an excellent Google Domains alternative that enables you to search, register, and transfer domain names. Better yet, it’s an affordable option. For example, you can score a “.store” extension for less than a dollar or a “.org” extension for $6.
You’ll also find tons of neat features like a free domain generator and Beast Mode advanced search. Plus, if you’re just getting set up with a new site, you can find hosting plans, email accounts, and SSL certificates.
⚙️ Key features
- Add available domains easily
- Bid on taken domains
- Full WHOIS privacy
- Discounted price for the first year
- Domain generator
- Hosting
- SSL certificates
- Private emails
- Transfers and migrations
💳 Price
You can find TLDs with “.org” or “.com” extensions for less than $10 a year. Meanwhile, an extension like “.store” can cost less than a dollar.
2. Domain.com
While Domain.com is another solid Google Domains alternative, it doesn’t offer total WHOIS privacy. In fact, you’ll need to purchase domain privacy and protection separately, which costs $8.99 a year.
However, Domain.com is a great place to find a new domain for your website (especially if you’re a beginner). You can get related suggestions if your preferred domain is taken. Plus, you’ll find other useful services like security, web hosting, and a website builder.
⚙️ Key features
- Search domains
- Transfer domains
- Privacy and protection (at additional cost)
- Brokerage service
- Website builder
- Emails
- Web hosting
- Security features (like SSL)
- Expiration protection (for an additional cost)
💳 Price
You can find TLD extensions like “.com” for around $12 a year. Or, “.info” and “.store” extensions can cost less than $3.
3. Dynadot
Dynadot makes an ideal Google Domains alternative with affordable pricing, secure checkout, and quality customer support. What’s more, you’ll get complete WHOIS privacy.
Additionally, Dynadot offers very low prices for TLD renewals. For example, you can find “.com” extensions that renew at just $10.99 per year.
⚙️ Key features
- Domain search and transfer
- Suggestion tool
- IDNs search
- Domain security
- WHOIS privacy
- Website builder
- Emails
- SSL
- 24/7 support
💳 Price
You can find “.net” and “.org” domains for less than $12. Meanwhile, lower-level extensions like “.info” or “.pro” only cost a couple of dollars.
4. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the largest domain registrars in the world, so it makes sense to include it in a list of Google Domains alternatives. However, TLDs can lock you into a three-year contract and renewals can be quite pricey.
For example, a “.com” extension that costs $5 can renew at more than $20 the following year. But, if you have more than one website, you can bundle domains together to save costs.
⚙️ Key details
- Domain search and suggestions
- Discounts for domain bundles
- Long contracts (three-year registration)
- High renewals
- Website hosting
- Emails
- WHOIS privacy costs an additional $9.99
💳 Price
You can find TLDs for less than $6, but these renew at much higher prices (above $20). Or, stick with lower-level extensions like “.ltd” or “.me” for just a couple of dollars a year.
5. Bluehost
Bluehost is an excellent all-in-one option, perfect for first-time website owners. Primarily a web hosting provider, Bluehost also offers domains, email accounts, and web design services.
As a domain registrar, Bluehost gives you access to a 30-day free trial of shared hosting for your website. Or, if you purchase a web hosting package, you’ll get your domain name free of charge for the first year.
⚙️ Key features
- Search domains
- Featured domains
- Free domains when you purchase web hosting
- Privacy and protection (for an additional $11.88)
- Auto-renewal
- Domain lock
- Domain forwarding
- 24/7 hosting support
💳 Price
At Bluehost, you can find “.com” domains for $12.99 or a “.space” extension will cost just $1.99.
Conclusion 🧐
With Google Domains shutting down and transferring to Squarespace, you might be in need of a Google Domains alternative. The good news is that there are plenty of top domain registrars to choose from, enabling you to find one that meets your exact website requirements.
💡 To recap, here are some of the best Google Domains alternatives:
- Namecheap: Offers low prices and complete WHOIS privacy (for no extra cost).
- Domain.com: A solid option for beginners that might also require hosting, security, and emails.
- Dynadot: The best like-for-like Google Domains alternative with low TLD renewal prices.
- GoDaddy: An excellent option for multi-site owners since you can bundle domains for lower prices.
- Bluehost: The best all-in-one option for first-time website owners.
Do you have any questions about which Google Domains alternative to pick? Let us know in the comments section below!
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[1] https://support.google.com/domains/answer/13689670?hl=en
[2] https://newsroom.squarespace.com/blog/googledomains