Buying a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap or Google: comparing international registrars for small businesses

You can buy a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap or NameSilo for international extensions such as .com, but you can no longer buy one from Google, because Google Domains moved to Squarespace. Choose a registrar by the extension you need, how it protects owner details, and where you want to manage things day to day. If you need .vn, see the local registrar section below.

Before comparing: which extension do you need?

The first question is not "who is cheapest" but "which extension do I need". International extensions such as .com, .net and .org are sold by almost every registrar, so you can compare freely. .vn and .com.vn are different: several sources say that registrants in Vietnam usually register .vn through a local registrar recognized by VNNIC. Some aggregator sites list GoDaddy and Namecheap as supporting .vn with conditions on the registrant, and these sources do not agree with each other. If your business needs .vn, check directly with VNNIC or the registrar you plan to use before paying, and ask a professional if you need certainty about eligibility.

If your website targets Vietnamese customers, .vn can be worth considering because customers recognize it, but that is a branding choice, not a requirement. Many small businesses use .com because it is easy to remember and easy to extend to other markets.

Quick comparison of international registrars

The table only compares points that can be checked on a vendor support page or a public roundup. For prices, see each vendor's current price list, because first-term and renewal prices can differ.

Buying a domain from Google: it is now Squarespace

If you search for "buy a domain on Google", note that the service changed hands. According to Squarespace's help center, it acquired all Google Domains registrations and the related customer accounts on September 7, 2023, and Google Domains no longer exists. Existing users sign in to Squarespace with the Google account tied to their domain.

For a new buyer, that means you are comparing Squarespace Domains with other registrars, not "Google" as before. The same help center says migrated domains do not support dynamic DNS (DDNS), and existing ACME TLS/SSL certificates keep working until they expire but will not renew. If you rely on these (for example a camera or an internal server reached through a domain name), think twice.

Buying a domain from GoDaddy: what to check before you pay

GoDaddy is the name most Vietnamese users know when they search for a foreign domain. According to the vendor's support page, Domain Privacy has three levels: On (all contact details hidden), Limited (organization, state/province and country still shown) and Off (everything shown). The vendor warns that even briefly turning privacy off can expose your details on WHOIS, where they can be used for spam or phishing.

Two points that confuse newcomers:

• Domain Privacy protects the owner's identity. It does not stop the domain from being transferred or from expiring. That is a separate paid Domain Protection plan.
• At renewal time, check the renewal rate on the vendor's page rather than only the first-term rate.

GoDaddy's guide says you change the privacy level from the Domain Portfolio: select the domain, open Domain Settings, then choose Change on the Domain Privacy card. The interface can change, so verify when you do it.

Namecheap and NameSilo: two frequently mentioned options

Namecheap and NameSilo are often mentioned in community discussions as simple places to hold domains. Both are widely described as including free WHOIS privacy, but the scope (which extensions) can differ, and some extensions cannot be hidden because of the rules of the registry that runs them. At Namecheap, open your Domain List, select the domain and check the Domain Privacy status after buying, rather than assuming it is on.

For NameSilo, most of the public information available comes from third-party comparison pages. Confirm the current policy on the vendor's own page before deciding.

Keeping domains and hosting together: one option to compare

If you already rent or plan to rent hosting and want everything in one control panel, Hostinger is one option to compare: per the product description, its international domain service includes free WHOIS protection and is managed together with hosting in hPanel, but it does not sell .vn domains. The link above is a partner link: Dùng Gì may earn a commission if you sign up or buy through it. You can also see a summary on the Hostinger — Domains page to compare with other registrars.

When to choose a Vietnamese registrar

A local registrar makes sense when:

• You need .vn or .com.vn and want to handle the paperwork in Vietnamese.
• You want Vietnamese-language support during working hours when DNS or ownership transfer problems come up.
• Your accountant needs documents and invoices in Vietnamese. Ask the provider and your accountant or tax adviser about documentation first, because this guide does not draw tax conclusions.
• You want domain, hosting and email from one local provider.

This site has summaries of three local registrars to compare: iNET — Domains (a .vn registrar recognized by VNNIC that also sells international domains), Tenten — Domains (its .vn price list separates the state fee, the service fee and tax) and Mắt Bão — Domains (also sells hosting and email).

Steps to buy an international domain safely

1. Decide the name and extension, check whether it is already taken and whether it clashes with someone else's trademark.
2. Pick a registrar using the comparison above, open its price page and note both the registration and the renewal rate.
3. Create the account with a company email (not one employee's personal email) and turn on two-factor authentication if offered.
4. Enter the real owner details accurately. Wrong details can get a domain suspended or cost you ownership in a dispute.
5. After purchase, check that WHOIS privacy is on, turn on auto-renewal and set a calendar reminder before the expiry date.
6. Store the login details, transfer code and invoices where several people in the company can reach them, so you do not depend on one person.

What the community says, and a note on international cards

On forums and user groups, many people say they keep their domains with one registrar for easier management and move away when renewal turns out higher than expected. This is community opinion, not verified data. With a foreign registrar you usually need an international payment method and receive invoices in English; ask your accountant before buying.

Frequently asked questions

What happens when I try to buy a domain from Google?

Google Domains no longer operates. Squarespace took over all of its domain registrations on September 7, 2023, so new buyers now register at Squarespace Domains. Existing users sign in to Squarespace with the Google account linked to their domain.

Do I need to buy extra protection when I buy a domain at GoDaddy?

Domain Privacy only hides owner details and is applied automatically to eligible domains. Domain Protection is a separate product meant to prevent unauthorized actions such as transfers. Businesses with an important domain should consider it, and check the details on GoDaddy's pages.

How do Namecheap and NameSilo differ?

Both are commonly described as including free WHOIS privacy, but which extensions are covered can differ. Check the policy and the renewal rate on each vendor's page, then pick the one whose interface you find easier to manage.

Can I register a .vn domain through a foreign registrar?

Several sources say registrants in Vietnam usually register .vn through a local registrar recognized by VNNIC, while information about foreign registrars is inconsistent. Check with VNNIC or the registrar before buying, and ask a professional if you need certainty.