One of the most important steps in establishing an online presence is registering a domain. Domain names serve as your brand’s online address, influencing its visibility, branding, and credibility on the internet. Selecting the right domain registrar ensures your website is secure, easy to manage, and runs smoothly. Further, a good registrar offers strong security, clear pricing, and reliable support.
Web.com and Google Domains offer distinct services for different aspects of website building and management. But how can you determine which domain name registrar fits your business’ needs?
To help you find the answer, let’s look at Google Domains and Web.com’s budget-friendly plans, performance, and easy-to-use features and compare them, to help you decide which domain registrar best fits your requirements.
Web.com vs. Google Domains: Overview
Web.com
Web.com has become a trusted name in providing essential online services such as website building, hosting, and domain registration. Initially aimed at helping small businesses and beginners establish a reliable online presence, Web.com has broadened our services over the years to include tools tailored to meet the needs of businesses and individuals.
It’s particularly well-suited for small businesses and beginners, with our all-in-one solution that makes managing your online presence straightforward, so even those without technical expertise can easily start their journey online.
Google Domains
Launched by Google in 2014, Google Domains is primarily centered on domain registration service and management. Although Google Domains integrates seamlessly with a variety of website builders, including Google’s own suite of tools, it doesn’t offer a built-in website creation tool. It’s ideal for those who prefer to manage different aspects of their website through various platforms.
Note: As of September 7, 2023, Squarespace acquired all domain registrations and related customer accounts from Google Domains. This transition means that Google Domains no longer offers new domain registrations. This means all existing accounts and domains previously managed through Google Domains have been transferred to Squarespace Domains for ongoing management.
However, existing Google Domains customers can still manage their domains through their website until the full migration to Squarespace.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Ease of use
Web.com
Web.com simplifies the process of domain registration. We have a powerful domain name search tool and a business name generator that makes it easy to find your perfect domain name. Web.com’s Account Manager also puts domain management and add on management in one place for easy domain connection to products like Google Workspace and DIY Website Builder.
The platform features an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop website builder that doesn’t require any coding knowledge. With a variety of customizable templates and interactive elements, it’s user-friendly for beginners and small business owners to quickly and efficiently set up a professional online presence.
This seamless integration of domain registration with robust website building tools makes starting and managing your online journey with Web.com a smooth and stress-free experience.
Google Domains
Google Domains focuses solely on domain registration—which has limitations. Users who need an all-in-one solution for website building and web hosting need to integrate with third-party services and might find it lacking. This may also cause potential complexity and compatibility issues.
On the other hand, the Google Domains dashboard is designed to be user-friendly for domain management like renewals, DNS configurations, and email forwarding. While this simplifies domain management, it doesn’t fully make up for the need to use multiple services for a complete web presence, which can lead to a disjointed experience.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Website builder and AI features
Web.com
Web.com’s platform stands out with its advanced AI-powered website builder, which is designed to make the creation of professional-looking websites as straightforward as possible. You have access to a diverse library of customizable templates that cater to various industries and preferences. It also has a drag-and-drop editor to simplify the process of layout and design customization. No coding experience needed.
The AI capabilities of the builder are particularly notable because we assist you by suggesting design improvements and content enhancements tailored to your specific type of business. This helps in creating aesthetically pleasing websites and ensures that the sites are optimized for user engagement and search engine rankings.
Google Domains
As previously mentioned, Google Domains lacks an integrated website builder. This limits its appeal to those who want to build a straightforward website from scratch. Integrating with third-party platforms like Google Sites or other popular builders may introduce added complexity and cost for those requiring comprehensive site-building solutions.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Flexibility and customization
Web.com
Web.com makes it easy to personalize your website by offering a wide range of templates for both personal and business sites. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to use these tools—you can pick a template and start tweaking it to match your style or brand. Change colors, fonts, and layouts, or add photos and videos with just a few clicks.
We offer plenty of flexibility for most people looking to build a unique site. It’s great for those who want their website to stand out without diving into complicated coding. Whether you’re launching a small online shop, starting a blog, or setting up a company website, Web.com gives you the freedom to make it truly your own.
Google Domains
When it comes to building and customizing your website, things can get a bit more complicated with Google Domains. Since you’ll need to turn to third-party platforms, this means customizing your website depends on the website builder you choose. These platforms range widely in their features, from easy drag-and-drop interfaces perfect for beginners, to more complex systems that allow for advanced coding and customization.
While it’s convenient that Google Domains connects easily with these third-party builders, juggling between domain management on Google Domains and site building on another platform can be a bit of a hassle. You’ll need to navigate two separate systems, which can make the process less seamless and more time-consuming than using an all-in-one solution.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Pricing and value
Web.com
Known for our competitive pricing, Web.com provides a range of options that offer great value, particularly with frequent promotions and discounts aimed at reducing costs for new and existing customers. These promotional rates make us an excellent choice if you’re a small business looking to establish an online presence without a hefty initial investment.
We usually offer several from generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com and .org, to premium domains like insurance or insurance.com or internet.com. Just search for your preferred domain name in their domain search tool and see if it’s available. If you haven’t decided on one, our AI Domain Generator tool can get you started right away.
Typically, domain prices at Web.com start from around $1 to $15 for the first year for common TLDs like .com, .net, or .org when promotional pricing is available. However, the renewal cost may be higher than the domain’s initial pricing. Plus, you may need to pay for more domain services such as a Domain Expiration Protection to auto renew your domain and Domain Privacy to protect your information in the WHOIS directory.
That said, you can get a free domain when you purchase their web hosting or a website builder. So, if you’re still planning to build your site, Web.com has everything you need in their plan to get set up.
Google Domains
Google Domains supports 100+ domain extensions, just like Web.com. Their domains can cost between $7.00 – $150.00, depending on its demand and popularity.
Just note that a domain is renewed annually, and the renewal cost may be higher than price in the first year. Plus, potential costs associated with third-party website builders must be considered. Finally, there has been a change in pricing for these customers, particularly in the cost of adding Google Workspace email to their domains.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Customer support
Web.com
Web.com is known for our excellent customer support, available 24/7 (live chat), phone, and email. This means that help is always just a call or click away, whether you’re facing a technical hiccup, need some advice on using features, or have a billing question.
This highly accessible and responsive support is often highlighted as a major benefit by users, particularly for those new to website management or the less tech-savvy. Having help available at any time provides peace of mind and simplifies the website management process.
Google Domains
Google Domains provides solid support via email and live chat, which works well for resolving many issues and answering questions. However, unlike Web.com, Google Domains doesn’t offer direct phone support. This could be a limitation if you prefer speaking to someone directly for immediate help or for more complex issues that might be easier to explain and resolve over the phone. This lack of phone support could be a significant consideration if you value highly personalized and instant assistance.
Web.com vs Google Domains: SEO and performance
Web.com
Web.com offers powerful SEO tools and professional services designed to boost your website’s visibility and overall performance. By focusing on optimization, Web.com helps ensure that your website loads quickly and ranks well in search engine results. These factors are essential for attracting more visitors and achieving online success.
The platform provides a variety of SEO features, including keyword optimization, content creation guidelines, and technical SEO practices that help improve site structure and accessibility. But if you find SEO daunting to learn, Web.com also offers professional SEO services. Let the experts take the wheel and we’ll make it easier for search engines to understand and favor your website.
Additionally, Web.com extends its services to include Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, business listings, and directory services, which are crucial for expanding your online reach and visibility. The PPC campaigns managed by Web.com are tailored to drive targeted traffic to your site, while business listings and directory services ensure your business is accurately represented across the web, especially in local searches.
These combined efforts in professional SEO services and online marketing strategies provide a comprehensive approach to enhancing your digital presence and growing your business online.
Google Domains
Google Domains also relies on the capabilities of third-party website builders when it comes to SEO and website performance enhancements. This means their effectiveness can vary depending on which platform you choose.
This means that while Google Domains ensures your domain is set up correctly, the actual search engine optimization and website improvement depend on the tools and features provided by your selected website builder. These builders have their own sets of SEO tools and performance optimization techniques. This could impact how well your site performs in search rankings and how quickly it loads for visitors.
Therefore, choosing a robust and reliable website builder is crucial for maximizing the potential benefits of your Google domain.
Web.com vs Google Domains: Website security
Web.com
Web.com equips your website security with a robust set of protective features. First off, SSL certificates are a staple with Web.com, which means any data passing between your website and your visitors is encrypted. This is crucial not just for securing personal and financial information but also for boosting your site’s credibility and Google rankings.
But Web.com doesn’t stop there—we have Sitelock that actively to catch and eliminate harmful software before it can do any damage. This ongoing vigilance helps ensure your site stays clean and operational, giving you peace of mind.
Moreover, Web.com fortifies your site with powerful firewalls as a first line of defense against cyberattacks. These firewalls filter out suspicious activities and unauthorized access attempts to protect your site from a variety of cyber threats, including disruptive DDoS attacks.
With all these security measures in place, Web.com ensures that your website is a safe space for you and your visitors.
Google Domains
Google Domains provides fundamental security measures such as HTTPS and DNSSEC, essential for a basic level of protection. HTTPS ensures that data exchanged between your website and its visitors is encrypted to help safeguard personal information. Meanwhile, DNSSEC protects the integrity of the DNS pathway to prevent attackers from redirecting visitors to malicious websites.
However, the overall security of your website when using Google Domains still depends on the third-party services you choose for hosting and building your website. You’ll need to ensure that your web host and website builder also implement strong security practices. This split responsibility requires you to be more vigilant and proactive in managing and enhancing your website’s security posture with additional tools and services.
Pick the perfect domain registrar
Choosing between the two domain registrars comes down to your specific needs. However, since Google Domains is no longer providing domains to new customers, you might want to look for another registrar.
If you’re an existing Google Domains customer and you’re looking for a new domain provider, then Web.com is the perfect choice. It’s a seamless, all-in-one solution for building, hosting, and managing a website.
Start your website journey today with the perfect registrar. Web.com will help you on your path to success.
FAQ: Web.com vs. Google Domains
Web.com provides a full range of services including domain registration, web hosting, website building, and online marketing tools. Google Domains continues to focus on domain registration, with all services integrated into Squarespace’s platform.
Yes, existing users can continue managing their domains through Google Domains, though new registrations are handled by Squarespace.
Alternatives include Web.com, Domain.com, Hostgator and Bluehost, which offer domain services plus hosting and website building.
Yes, Web.com provides an easy-to-use website builder with customizable templates and AI enhancements.
Yes, you can transfer domains from Google to Web.com. You can follow our step-by-step domain migration guide to get started.
Google Domains users must navigate Squarespace’s broader system, which may not be as integrated as Web.com’s all-in-one service.
Yes, Web.com provides SEO services and Google Ads management to enhance online visibility.
First assess its value using appraisal tools and market research. Prepare the domain by ensuring it’s in good standing and up-to-date with accurate contact information. Then choose a selling platform and list the domain with a detailed description, highlighting its strengths. Once you receive an offer, disable the domain lock, obtain the authorization code, and use an escrow service to secure the transaction.
