Best Domain Registrar for .com.au

[damitssam]

So currently I have my domains at domaincentral, which has a cumbersome management system. Where do most domainers here use? I guess there are three categories:

1. Cheapest
2. Most Secure
3. Most Ease to use

 

[soj]

Cheapest would be VentraIP, not sure on their management system though. As for Easiest to use, Domain8/Drop would have to have one of the easiest and straight forward management systems. Im sure security would be top class on both as well. I used to have my domains at DomainCentral too, with all the problems I have had with them (do a search on the forum for a related thread) I switched them all over to Domain8/Drop. Makes life so much easier

 

[Drop.com.au]

Hi damitssam,

PM Sent

Andrew

 

[snoopy]

Use hostess.com.au $20.96/2 years.

 

[Shaun]

Yes Hostess by far.

Although Drop offer unmatched high quality customer service as well as some great value add services.

 

[FirstPageResults]

Yep Hostess for me aswell, but I have my 'more premium' names with Drop for support.. if need be

 

[Chris.C]

Why not become resellers via AUST Domains?

 

[Smile]

Hostess - Cheapest Domains

VentraIP - So far the fastest in service/answering questions. (Im a bit worried that might change as they expand. But so far been excellent.)

Drop - By far the most trustworthy. More on the premium side...but you get what you pay for.

 

[Shaun]

Hostess - Cheapest Domains

Drop - By far the most trustworthy. More on the premium side...but you get what you pay for.

Agreed.

 

[Nova]

Drop - By far the most trustworthy. More on the premium side...but you get what you pay for.

Can you explain how? Not trolling, actually keen to know the difference between them and other registrars in terms of the services on offer.

 

[Smile]

Can you explain how? Not trolling, actually keen to know the difference between them and other registrars in terms of the services on offer.

I own a few hundred domain names. And until recently they were spread out at Registrars like MD Webhosting, Intaserve, Domain Central and Crazy Domains. Since then I have consolidated to either the Drop, VentraIP or Hostess (Hostess for domains that I know for sure which wont need any technical support).

Ill take MD Webhosting as an example to answer your question.
- There was a period where I was getting double billed for my purchases. The solution they offered was to credit my account. (Instead of apologizing and offering a refund. I still have money owed, but Im at the point where I cbf wasting my time to follow it up. Instead I transferred my domains elsewhere.)
- The average request for help ticket takes between 4 to 7 days.
- (This is hosting related) Number of times they have tried to pull one over me. I lost an entire website. Pretty much it was deleted from my server and their back up servers. They offered no apology or anything in return, instead try to put the blame on me by saying you should have backed your website up. (This happened during the time when MD webhosting got taken over my Netregistry.)
- I could keep on going. MD Webhosting is one place which I really recommend you stay away from.
- With the other registrars I mentioned...similar issues. But mostly to do with very slow response time with tickets.

Now what makes DROP different. They are more of a domainers registry. Im not affiliated with them by any means. But from my experience they have always been very helpful, upfront and on time. What adds the extra dimension to them is their presence on this forum. So I know I'm dealing with real people that can be held accountable. So I suppose these are the reasons why I find them trustworthy. (Similar applies to VentraIP too)

 

[Nova]

I can associate with the pain of MD, I left them long ago and didn't stick around for long enough so by the time they were bought out, I was long gone!

So the crux of it is support? Not domain management features like DNS management integrated, email forwarding, etc?

I've had/have domains with MD, Bottle, Cove (ventraip), AustDomains, DistributeIT, NetRegistry, eNom, GoDaddy, MelbourneIT, namecheap, Register365 - that's probably it

All have their positives and negatives however in my mind, DistributeIT is who I've had the best overall experience with and would recommend them. The whole system is a little disjointed IMO between the old accounts, eVersion, and the Plesk DNS hosting but it seems to work and they are very quick in dealing with issues that I've come across.

If I had the time again I'd only go with DIT for the lot - would've saved a lot of headaches!

 

[Smile]

Yeah I would say the important thing for me is support.
If the support is good...you can solve pretty much any problem.

I did sign up with Distribute.IT about two years ago.
Their interface wasnt my cup of tea. But they did offer a lot more than most Registars.

 

[WG2010]

Speaking of interfaces, Netregistry is awful (bash..head..on..keyboard..). So, I transfer the domains I win on Netfleet after they're pushed to NR straight to VentraIp. Theirs is simple and easy to use.

 

[Smile]

Speaking of interfaces, Netregistry is awful (bash..head..on..keyboard..). So, I transfer the domains I win on Netfleet after they're pushed to NR straight to VentraIp. Theirs is simple and easy to use.

Is the Netregistry interface same as Hostess/MDwebhosting?
If so...I couldnt agree more. Its not user friendly at all.

 

[James]

I only have my AU domains with VentraIP & DROP.

Happy with both, only downside to DROP is you pay 2x the reg price !