Bulk domain registering of 100+ domains: What is your experience?

Moderator's Note: Let 'er rip but keep it factual & educational.

[le_gber]

Hi all,

I am about to purchase 100+ domains and wondered if you had any advice to give me as it would be my first time bulk registering domains.

Could you also tell me - mods permitting, otherwise by PM - how much does a .com cost to register through BulkRegister (they don't seem to show the prices for it).

Finally, could I also have your feedback on the bulk registration services / websites you've used - or are using - having never done so I found BulkRegister and GoDaddy Bulk Registration service - are they any good - are there any other you would recommend (big ones and no self promotion please - as per TOS)

cheers

le_gber

[Webwork]

File this under the "once in a blue moon" rule, as an exception to we don't talk about "who has the best deal" (to avoid relentless spamming).

So, let 'er rip, but keep things as general, factual and educational as is possible. Any pure promo posts, without more, will be shot on sight.

My $.02 is that you want to shop around as almost every major registrar - GoDaddy, Enom, Moniker, NetSol (believe it or not), Register.com, NameCheap.com - offers bulk registration discounts, some of which aren't even posted on their websites. (You need to dialogue with someone at the registrar about what your plan of action is.)

If you haven't played with the registrar's user interface before I suggest that you do that before buying in bulk. Some are worse than others and some seem to work nicely and then they go and "improve things" - which sometimes kills the sweetspot that you were so into. You know, the one feature that really worked best for your needs.

Also, before you "move in" you might want to do a bit of research about whether CompanyX is known to erect any barriers to moving out OR is that registrar has any history of being "Big Brotherish" when it comes to how you deploy your domains.

So far as the "best deal" goes, after you have played with the UI for your target sites, either place a phone call or email sales with the details and your request. IF you not only buy 100+ but agree to move an existing portfolio to the registrar you will likely improve your bargaining position.

The best deal isn't always in the lowest price but it's nice to get a better price when you can get everything else on the menu.

[edited by: Webwork at 4:46 pm (utc) on Mar. 14, 2007]

[le_gber]

Hi Webwork,

Thanks for your comments. So to summarize, play with the UI, check the company policy on moving domains out and any history of 'problem' they may have and contact them directly to learn about the bulk purchase 'offers' and to place orders.

To be honest I didn't think about the UI and move out policy, but these are great advices. Thanks again.

[Webwork]

You're welcome and thank-you le_gber. Hopefully our efforts to quiet the promotional noise allows the 'signal' - the thinking part of the dialogue - to be a bit more audible. Your issue really entails consideration of more than just price. ;0)

Most registrar's have bulk registration tools. Most will offer competitive pricing for large number registrations. So, the more important considerations often fall outside price - such as security, customer service, moving the domains out, ease of updating DNS or otherwise making bulk changes, portfolio analysis and reporting tools, automatic expiration and renewal systems, etc.

Anyone else have any guidance to offer about factors to consider, besides advertised price, when making a decision about bulk domain registration.