Your domain name is basically your digital address. Moreover, picking the wrong registrar to manage it can turn into a real headache down the road. After watching this industry for years, I’ve seen enough horror stories to know what separates the good registrars from the ones that’ll make your life miserable.
Why This Still Matters in 2025
Back in the day, you had one choice: Network Solutions. Domains cost $100, and that was it. Now there are approximately 2,800 ICANN-accredited registrars competing for your business, which sounds great until you realize some of them have no business being in business.
The domain market has exploded too. Furthermore, we’re talking about over 762 million registered domains as of 2025, and that number keeps climbing. With so many options, it’s easy to get lured in by rock-bottom prices or flashy marketing.
The Real Problems You’ll Face
Here’s what actually happens when registrars go bad, based on verifiable industry data:
Transfer troubles – ICANN data shows that transfer and renewal issues are the most common types of complaints they receive. Additionally, while transfers should take about five days, some registrars deliberately delay them as long as possible.
Pricing games – Many registrars offer super cheap first-year pricing, then jack up renewal costs. Therefore, what starts as a $2 domain can suddenly cost $25+ to renew.
Support nightmares – When things go wrong, you’ll discover that some registrars basically don’t answer emails or return calls. Consequently, you’re stuck waiting while your domain expiration date gets closer.
What to Look For Before You Commit
Instead of learning these lessons the hard way, here’s what actually matters:
Test Their Support First
Send them a question before you buy anything. Furthermore, time how long it takes to get a real answer from a real person. If they can’t respond quickly when they want your money, imagine how they’ll treat you later.
Check the Real Renewal Price
Don’t just look at the first-year cost. Similarly, dig into their pricing page and find out what you’ll pay in year two and beyond. Reputable registrars make this information easy to find.
Read the Transfer Policy
Look up their domain transfer procedures. Moreover, if you can’t easily find clear instructions or if the process seems unnecessarily complicated, that’s a red flag.
Research Their Reputation
Check recent reviews and complaints. Furthermore, a registrar with consistently poor customer service reviews should be avoided, period.
The Industry Reality Check
The domain business attracts all types. While GoDaddy manages over 84 million registered domains, making them the largest registrar globally, size doesn’t automatically equal good service. Similarly, smaller registrars can sometimes provide better personal attention.
What matters more is stability and transparency. Additionally, you want a registrar that’s been around long enough to have worked out their operational kinks and treats domain management as a serious business, not a side hustle.
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself
Start with established names – Stick with registrars that have been in business for years and have clear business practices.
Avoid the cheapest option – Extremely low prices often come with extremely poor service. Therefore, paying a few extra dollars for reliable support is worth it.
Plan your exit strategy – Before you register, understand how to transfer your domain elsewhere. Moreover, having this information ready means you’re not trapped if service goes downhill.
Set renewal reminders – Calendar alerts give you time to transfer or switch registrars well before your domain expires, avoiding last-minute panic.
The Bottom Line
Your domain name represents your business online. Consequently, handing control of it to a registrar that doesn’t prioritize customer service or transparent pricing can put your entire web presence at risk.
The good news? Taking a few minutes to research before you register can save you hours of frustration later. Additionally, asking the right questions upfront helps you avoid registrars that treat domains like a commodity instead of the critical business asset they really are.
Remember, cheap isn’t always better when it comes to managing your digital identity. Therefore, invest in a registrar that’ll be there when you need them, not one that disappears when problems arise.
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Did not try to transfer my domain to another registrar, but did send 2000domain.net payment by mail to 7234 Kindred St. Philadelphia, PA 19149 three weeks prior to the expiration of the name. This was not an odd thing for me to do as I have paid by mail before within these last 9 years, but this time there was no response as to receiving the payment or the posting of the $35.00 to the account. Thereafter the domain name continued in its expiration status, regardless of 4 e-mails to Support and a response to the expiry of the name from Melbourne IT. Melbourne, however, stated that I could renew for two more weeks, but 2000domain.net sent me a third expiry notice and pulled down the site prior to that date which forced me to pay, once again, online. So now they have my credit card payment for $35.00 and perhaps the $35.00 payment that I mailed to them. All in all the experience has been a tiring and scary one. I did not experience this sort of service when I started out with 2000domain.net. Apparently they have gone downhill, can you suggest a more reputable organization?
I am also on the same boat. I also contacted MelbourneIT but haven´t got any response yet.
I wish you well. Again, it took a couple weeks of leaning on MelbourneIT so some patience is required.
Also, consider this option–complain to ICANN http://reports.internic.net/cgi/registrars/problem-report.cgi
Finally–mention MelbourneIT by name when writing ICANN. At the end of the day, it is THEM not managing their clients/affiliates and they need to carry some weight.
Cheers
M
Thanks so much for writing about your experience with them…I’m having the exact same problem and didn’t really know what to do about it. I’m going to do everything you’ve suggested.
Have same problem. Want to transfer my domain to godaddy from 2000domain and I can’t rich them , no reply back to my phone calls to my emails.
What to do?