Network Solutions gets sticky hands with your domain names
Every great business idea needs a great domain name. It’s the basics of the 3 most important business decisions “location, location and location”. But beware how you go about finding the ultimate domain name for you may lose the chance quickly.
Years ago, Network Solutions was the only option for registering a domain name with a flat fee of $35/yr. However, with market deregulation a number of less expensive options surfaced. This led to companies like GoDaddy and eNom becoming huge players offering domain names for as little as $8/yr. Network Solutions lost its market share keeping their price fixed at $35 and sees only name renewals as a source of income.
As of Tuesday, Network Solutions has changed their tactics. If a user searches for a domain name on Network Solutions and proceeds to register it with a competitor, they may find their domain name no longer available. Network Solutions will register searched names with the only option to purchase through them, for $35/yr.
Network Solutions is using a loop hole in the legislation that allows registrars to register a domain name for 5 days without paying for it. Definitely not what the rule was built for. See this TechCrunch article for the outcry from the community.
So if you are in search of a domain name, be sure you are searching with the registrar you plan to purchase it from as this behavior will most likely be cloned by competitors very shortly. In the event you lose your name to a registrar, you need only wait the 5 days for it to be released.
Good hunting!
Tags: domain name, network solutions, register, search