Why GoDaddy Might Not Be the Best Choice for Buying Your Bakery’s Domain

In our last post, we talked about how important it is to buy your domain name before registering your bakery. But where you buy that domain from matters too. And while GoDaddy is one of the most well-known domain registrars out there, it’s also one of the most controversial.

If you’re a baker who’s just getting your business off the ground, the last thing you need is to be dealing with shady upsells, sneaky renewals, or worse — your dream domain being “mysteriously” taken after searching for it.

Let’s break down a few GoDaddy practices you should know about before clicking that tempting “Search Domain” button.

1. Domain Sniping Allegations

Many users over the years have reported a disturbing pattern: they search for a domain on GoDaddy just to check availability, and if they don’t buy it right away, the domain is mysteriously registered — sometimes by GoDaddy themselves or a closely affiliated third party.

This tactic, often referred to as domain front-running, essentially means that your search data could be used against you to create artificial scarcity and pressure you into buying.

Baker’s translation? You type in “WhiskandBloom.com” on a whim, come back tomorrow to register it, and suddenly it’s gone. Now it’s listed for $500+ or more. Ouch.

2. Overpriced Renewals and Upsells

GoDaddy loves to offer a low price upfront — something like $0.99 or $2.99 for the first year — but what they don’t highlight as clearly is that renewal prices can jump to $20–$30 or more, depending on the domain and added services.

They also love to throw in extra charges for things like:

• Email forwarding

• Privacy protection (which should really be standard)

• Website builders you may not need

All of this can add up quickly and isn’t always easy to opt out of.

3. Difficult Cancellation and Transfer Policies

Once you’re in the GoDaddy ecosystem, it can be frustrating to leave. Transferring your domain to another registrar isn’t impossible, but they don’t make it easy either. Many users have reported long delays, confusing interfaces, and extra charges when trying to leave GoDaddy behind.

That’s not the kind of energy you want when you’re already juggling flour orders, ingredient sourcing, and Instagram marketing for your new bakery.

4. Privacy Protection Isn’t Free by Default

Most top-tier registrars like Google Domains or Namecheap offer WHOIS privacy protection for free. This masks your personal information (like your name, address, and phone number) from public records when you register a domain.

GoDaddy, historically, charged extra for this — even though it's a basic and important feature, especially for small business owners working from home. That’s not only inconvenient — it’s a bit shady.

Better Alternatives for Buying Your Bakery's Domain

Here are a few more transparent, user-friendly options that many small businesses and tech-savvy folks prefer:

• Google Domains (easy, clean interface, privacy included)

• Namecheap (affordable, privacy included, no aggressive upsells)

• Hover (simple experience, customer-friendly)

  
  

Keep Your Focus on Baking, Not Battling Fine Print

As a bakery owner, your time should be spent perfecting your croissants — not reading through confusing domain contracts or worrying about whether a company is reselling your domain search history.

So yes, grab your domain before registering your bakery — but be mindful of where you buy it. GoDaddy might seem convenient, but in the long run, it could cost you more than just a few extra dollars.