8 Pros + Cons of Namecheap Domains

I’ve been a Namecheap customer for more than 12 years now. I like them as a company, and still have all but one of my domains with them. They aren’t for everyone, but here are a few notes from my time with them.

Pros

Excellent Upfront & Renewal Pricing

I’ve consistently found Namecheap’s pricing to be among the most competitive in the industry. Sure, there will always be some random competitor that has a cheaper one-year special. But when it comes to who is actually cheaper for years at a time through multiple renewal cycles – Namecheap has been consistent for me.

Their .com domains will often start at just $6.88 for the first year which is significantly lower than GoDaddy’s $19.99. But what I really appreciate is their transparent renewal pricing – my .com domains renew at $14.98 which is still cheaper than most competitors. They also run frequent sales and offer bulk registration discounts which I’ve used to save hundreds when registering multiple domains for my projects.

Wide TLD Selection

I don’t buy a lot of gTLDs, but when I do, Namecheap’s extensive selection of over 400 TLDs (Top Level Domains) provides plenty of selection. Their search interface makes it easy to check availability across multiple TLDs simultaneously.

Support for the Open Web

What sets Namecheap apart is their commitment to internet freedom and privacy. I’ve seen them actively oppose internet censorship and support organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

They provide free WhoisGuard privacy protection permanently which saved me $10-15 per year per domain compared to other registrars. They also fought against SOPA/PIPA legislation which would have restricted online freedom.

Well-designed Dashboard

The user interface is clean intuitive and mobile-friendly. I can manage all my domains from one screen viewing expiration dates updating nameservers and handling renewals effortlessly.

Their bulk management tools let me update DNS records across multiple domains simultaneously. The dashboard also provides quick access to additional services like hosting, SSL certificates, and email which I’ve found convenient for managing all my web assets.

Marketplace & Easy Transfers

I’ve both bought and sold domains through Namecheap’s marketplace which offers a secure platform for domain transactions. Their domain transfer process is straightforward – I recently transferred 5 domains from GoDaddy and the process took less than 48 hours.

They offer free transfers for many TLDs and even extend your registration by a year. The marketplace includes helpful tools like price history and comparable sales data which helped me price domains appropriately.

Cons

No Longer The Absolute Cheapest

I’ve noticed Namecheap’s prices have gradually increased over the years. While they still offer competitive rates their “cheapest registrar” claim doesn’t always hold true anymore. They do more of the deep discount + pricey renewal deals than they used to. There’s always some random registrar out there with a better one year deal or a renewal a few pennies cheaper – which can add up for hundreds of domains.

Limited to Chat & Email Support

The lack of phone support has been frustrating at times. While their chat support is generally responsive I’ve encountered situations where a quick phone call would have resolved issues much faster. During one domain transfer incident I had to wait 4 hours for an email response when the chat queue was full.

Tips & Best Use Cases

Domain Portfolio Management

I’ve found Namecheap particularly effective for managing multiple domains. Their bulk management tools let me adjust settings for numerous domains at once. When managing my domain portfolio, I appreciate being able to enable auto-renewal, mass domain transfers and update nameservers across multiple domains simultaneously.

New Website Launches

For new website projects I recommend purchasing domains during Namecheap’s seasonal sales. I’ve secured .com domains for as low as $5.88 during their Black Friday promotions. The built-in DNS management makes it simple to point your domain to any hosting service – I typically have new sites live within 30 minutes of purchase.

Domain Investing

If you’re interested in domain investing, Namecheap’s marketplace integration is invaluable. I’ve successfully listed and sold several domains through their platform. They don’t have the massive buyer pool like GoDaddy, but wow their interface is better. And they still syndicate listings via Afternic. The escrow service handles payments securely and the transfer process is automated. Their price alert feature has helped me snag expiring domains at significant discounts.

Privacy Protection

For business owners concerned about privacy I suggest taking advantage of Namecheap’s free WhoisGuard. I activate it immediately on all my domains to prevent spam and protect personal information. Unlike other registrars that charge $10-15 annually for privacy protection, Namecheap includes it at no cost.

Domain Transfers

I’ve found Namecheap excels at domain transfers. Their step-by-step transfer wizard makes the process straightforward. They offer free transfers for many TLDs and include a one-year renewal with each transfer. Soooo much better than certain other big competitors.

Next Steps

I’ve used Namecheap for over 12 years and recommend it for all things domains. While it’s not perfect the combination of competitive pricing reliable service and user-friendly features makes it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced users.

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