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Domain Privacy - Is It Really Worth It?

by LilBlackDress
40 replies
I have a PO box and run ethical quality sites. So far I have been buying domain privacy but I am starting to wonder what am I gaining from it?

I would love to learn your thoughts regarding domain privacy.
#domain #privacy #worth
  • Profile picture of the author jaysteven84
    Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

    I have a PO box and run ethical quality sites. So far I have been buying domain privacy but I am starting to wonder what am I gaining from it?

    I would love to learn your thoughts regarding domain privacy.
    you don't need it. You need privacy only in that case if you do some shady stuff.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by jaysteven84 View Post

      you don't need it. You need privacy only in that case if you do some shady stuff.
      That is a incorrect statement ....

      Whois Privacy is for many reasons..

      * Hide you niche sites from Competition

      * Control Spam and Snail Mail Junk

      * Because "real" info is required you cannot register domain names under a pen name, thus whois privacy is required if you are running a site under a pen name

      * It blocks harvesters from nabbing your info to resell as leads to someone else

      * It saves you from stalkers, yes some people actually do stalk others

      These are just a few reasons... I say yes it is worth it ....

      James
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      • Profile picture of the author WealthCoachPro
        Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post


        * Hide you niche sites from Competition
        Bingo, this is exactly why you want to use the Privacy. Im not sure why you would not want to, its free with your domain purchase.
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      • Profile picture of the author Andy Immotna
        I agree with this..

        I use 1and1 for my domains. All domains come with free Whois Privacy..

        Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

        That is a incorrect statement ....

        Whois Privacy is for many reasons..

        * Hide you niche sites from Competition

        * Control Spam and Snail Mail Junk

        * Because "real" info is required you cannot register domain names under a pen name, thus whois privacy is required if you are running a site under a pen name

        * It blocks harvesters from nabbing your info to resell as leads to someone else

        * It saves you from stalkers, yes some people actually do stalk others

        These are just a few reasons... I say yes it is worth it ....

        James
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    • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
      Originally Posted by jaysteven84 View Post

      you don't need it. You need privacy only in that case if you do some shady stuff.
      That's wrong on so many levels. I don't do 'shady stuff', yet I
      still use private registrations.

      I register them privately simply because I don't like giving
      my full name, address & contact details to the public.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tyler Jonsson
    It makes it *slightly* more difficult for other marketers to "spy" on your other sites. Meaning if they run a whois search on one of your niche sites, they cannot just instantly see the other 10 niche sites you run.

    Depending on your business model this is a valuable thing.

    If you run adsense content sites for example ;-)

    It really depends...
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    • Profile picture of the author SEOPoints
      Originally Posted by Tyler Jonsson View Post

      It makes it *slightly* more difficult for other marketers to "spy" on your other sites. Meaning if they run a whois search on one of your niche sites, they cannot just instantly see the other 10 niche sites you run.
      What's the extra step that needs to be taken if someone wanted to find your other sites, assuming you're using some kind of WHOIS-guard type site? You mention it makes it slightly more difficult, so it sounds like there's an extra step that can be taken to get all the information anyway. What is it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    Domain Privacy is like locking your front door. It only keeps the innocent out. You are not protected from those who want to get in.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    Makes it a little more difficult for someone digging through records to find you, but they can always email the privacy name - it has to work or the domain would be in violation of ICANN regulations.

    That said, spammers can still get to them and therefor your inbox.

    I do believe in using them (not for nefarious reasons) but simply to keep everyone in the world from having my physical address. :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author schleprock
      Originally Posted by Gary King View Post

      Makes it a little more difficult for someone digging through records to find you, but they can always email the privacy name - it has to work or the domain would be in violation of ICANN regulations.

      That said, spammers can still get to them and therefor your inbox.

      I do believe in using them (not for nefarious reasons) but simply to keep everyone in the world from having my physical address. :-)
      If I am doing a background check I can find you. If you use your real name I will know (and use in legal document, possible court) and use it against you. You don't want to tell a judge you have no money and then I (my attorney) tell him you own a website with great traffic and Google estimates your earning at X amount.
      I own a website on addiction. If someone runs a backgroud on me I don't want everyone knowing I was a drunk and how flipping out of control things got.
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  • Profile picture of the author Negotiator74
    I wouldn't go without it but thats just me. I don't want someone to be able to google my name and come up with every site I own....I'm just a little cautious like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I never use it. I want people to be able to contact me if they want to buy a site of mine. Never had any unusual problems with not using it.
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    • Profile picture of the author aaallday2010
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      I never use it. I want people to be able to contact me if they want to buy a site of mine. Never had any unusual problems with not using it.
      Don't you have a contact form on your websites?
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  • Profile picture of the author Amanda_Davis
    There's plenty of other ways people can track you down or find out your niches... e.g. just do a quick search to see what other sites are held on the same server.
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  • Profile picture of the author bobsedge
    If you get your domains through 1and1.com, domain privacy is free.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cynthia A.
      Originally Posted by bobsedge View Post

      If you get your domains through 1and1.com, domain privacy is free.
      Also Namecheap.com has it for free & they're only $9.69/yr (just renewed a domain). I don't like receiving mail from companies trying to get me to renew my domain with them or sending me bogus "bills" in regards to my sites, or telemarketing calls (which is what I got when my address was available). For that reason, I use the free privacy guard.

      Cynthia
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  • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author RWilt
      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      ....Chances are, the average person is not going to go look up your domain (or even know how).
      Totally agree, that many of the online customers wouldn't know how to find the information.


      I do think it really depends on the niche and how comfortable you are that your information is there. If you are trying to build passive income and not a full time online business, there is no problem with using the privacy.

      I use privacy on about half of my sites... one of my niche sites I got a call at about 3am asking me to elaborate on something in one of my posts. One more just today from my product site, a cold sales call about a great new system the person has come up with to increase my traffic... unacceptable in my opinion.

      So roundabout way to say the privacy is good and bad in certain instances, but I like using it most of the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author NeoEclipse
    I'm under the assumption you have to have open domains when sending emails to be can spam complaint. But thats for email only i believe. Not sure if you would get in trouble doing it on other things. But having a contact page or something similar would allow you to block your domains on your sites
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  • Profile picture of the author cjed2061
    I buy it just to be on the safe side. Maybe I'm paranoid. I just don't like having my personal info hanging out there. I don't care too much about spam...its easy to trash I just don't want some freak showing up at my door someday because the ad said "up to 20 pounds a month" and they felt they would loose "at least 20 pounds a month". Ya know?
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  • Profile picture of the author TheIMKoala
    Originally Posted by honestbizpro View Post

    Sometimes you may have a client who wants to see your work or applying to CPA networks or stuff of that sort..there are certainly ways around it but that is one fast and easy way for people to see that you know what you are doing with your real own web property.
    Are there CPA networks (or other affiliate managers) that would decline your app if you had domain privacy? I've always had it just to protect me from a violent ex, but I'd hate to think it's why I've been denied affiliate status...
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      I use it when:

      a) It's free, so why not?

      b) Protecting future sites. If people don't know I own a domain, they can't know what I'm planning.

      c) Keep politicians from prying. (Had an article on a site once that was contrary to a politician's agenda. He didn't like that.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Tees
    I feel its most definitely worth it. It allows you the freedom of not having to deal with disgruntled customers when you are off the clock. Some customers will fault you and hold you responsible for things that are way beyond the scope of your control. And many won't think twice about calling you at home or showing up at your door.

    It also protects your niches from competitors and protects you from receiving spam and other junk from unscrupulous people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Russell
    My real name, which I use when registering websites, is very distinctive, so having it unprotected online would make it very easy to track me down - PO Box or no. Personally, I don't want this information to be that easily accessible (although, yes, I know that anyone who really wants to track me down is going to figure it out, one way or another).

    The last time I Google searched my name, a domain that I'd forgotten about (on which the Whois guard protection had expired) popped up on the first page - my home address and everything hanging out right there...
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by Sarah Russell View Post

      My real name, which I use when registering websites, is very distinctive, so having it unprotected online would make it very easy to track me down - PO Box or no.
      You know, we have this thing we say in the software industry.

      Always write your software as though the user is a crazy psychopath who knows where you live.

      It's amazing how much less frustrating the system becomes when the programmers start thinking "this person could walk up and ring my doorbell with a bag full of knives and raw chicken."

      Why not run your business the same way? A healthy fear of what your customers could do to you is not such a bad idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Tees
    I would reiterate that yes it is indeed worth it. Someone attempted to sell my friend the .net and .com version of a .info domain name that he registered for a niche blog in a certain location. The domain name contained a specific geographic region and a specific product. It was of no use to anyone not selling that product in his region. I told him to get private registration, but like so many he thought it was just an added expense and look what happened.
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    • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
      Originally Posted by Jon Tees View Post

      I would reiterate that yes it is indeed worth it. Someone attempted to sell my friend the .net and .com version of a .info domain name that he registered for a niche blog in a certain location. The domain name contained a specific geographic region and a specific product. It was of no use to anyone not selling that product in his region. I told him to get private registration, but like so many he thought it was just an added expense and look what happened.

      What happened?
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      • Profile picture of the author Jon Tees
        Originally Posted by GuerrillaIM View Post

        What happened?


        Its sort of weird. He registered a .info domain with his state initials and product name in it. This would have been of little or no value to anyone not selling this product in his state. He basically left the .com, .net and .org variations of the domain name on the table, so to speak electing not to take them at the time. They were still available until a few days ago. He did nothing to promote the domain and didn't do anything aside from putting up a Wordpress blog that he never posted anything to. Then he receives an e-mail a few days ago from someone from the United Kingdom of all places who says they can get him a deal on the soon to be expiring .net version of his domain name, he runs a check on the .com and finds that this has also now be taken. Its a fact that the .net, .com, and .org version of the domain were still available this time last week and that someone purchased the .net and .com versions specifically to attempt to sell them to him.
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        • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
          Originally Posted by Jon Tees View Post

          Its sort of weird. He registered a .info domain with his state initials and product name in it. This would have been of little or no value to anyone not selling this product in his state. He basically left the .com, .net and .org variations of the domain name on the table, so to speak electing not to take them at the time. They were still available until a few days ago. He did nothing to promote the domain and didn't do anything aside from putting up a Wordpress blog that he never posted anything to. Then he receives an e-mail a few days ago from someone from the United Kingdom of all places who says they can get him a deal on the soon to be expiring .net version of his domain name, he runs a check on the .com and finds that this has also now be taken. Its a fact that the .net, .com, and .org version of the domain were still available this time last week and that someone purchased the .net and .com versions specifically to attempt to sell them to him.

          Hehe, domain traders make me laugh. Like the guys who setup free domain checkers and then do a pre-registration on all domains checked to lock domain registration and then ask you to fork up $500. Glad the rules on pre-registration have changed now.
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        • Profile picture of the author TheWorker
          Yes, I'd say domain privacy is worth it, especially in the internet marketing world. As i don't have a PO Box, I'd rather not give out my home address and phone number.

          I researched and found that domain privacy is not perfect and it is still possible to get your details, but it will take manual measures.

          Another free domain privacy service i use is at NameGuard.com
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          • Profile picture of the author SmartFX
            Domain privacy is very important in the current time because today's notorious marketers and criminals are seeking your information desperately for their own profit.

            So to keep your information safe you are in very need of domain privacy services. They will hide your information from WHOIS database and save them into web host.

            Some of similar type companies are HostMonster and HostPapa.
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  • Profile picture of the author James Campbell
    Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

    I have a PO box and run ethical quality sites. So far I have been buying domain privacy but I am starting to wonder what am I gaining from it?

    I would love to learn your thoughts regarding domain privacy.
    Netfirms.com - Always free domain privacy included in the domain price which is usually anywhere between 6.99 and 9.99, for all .com, .net, .org domains at least.

    Stop paying for privacy at other places it is such a scam that really requires no charge on their part.

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    I've never bothered with it either.

    If Bluehost think I'm going to spend an extra $4.95 or whatever it is (per domain) for something they use to offer for free, then they are dreaming!
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

    I would love to learn your thoughts regarding domain privacy.
    It is an abomination and ought to be illegal.

    I never use it.

    You shouldn't either.

    If you don't want your home address on your domains, get a business address. You're in business, you should have those anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Tees
    Some providers will offer you a bundled service where you can get domain privacy, ownership protection and a business directory listing for just a few dollars extra per year, than you would pay to get privacy on its own. I tend to opt for this for domains that I definitely want to keep for a long period of time. I’ve been the victim of unwanted spam/junk mail and attempted scams in the past due to not having domain privacy. So to me its definitely worth it to avoid the annoyance the “Hey, did you know this website (similar to my domain or my exact domain with a different extension.) is about to expire even though it was available just a few short days ago? Phone me here in the U.K. for a domain with ny and a niche product in the title and we’ll talk about your price.”
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
    I use it because it is free and my business address is my home address and i dont want everyone knowing where i live
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  • Profile picture of the author André Silverspoon
    The domain privacy feature is often seen as the 'ultimate protection' on WHOIS info. Just a simple search online would leads you to dozens of articles stating the benefits of domain privacy. Spam protection and info shielding are two of the most trumpeted benefits of a domain privacy feature. It is like a firewall in computer network - it simply shields your info from the public but your data is still kept in registrar's database and there is still risk of info leaking. Is private information 100% protected under domain privacy feature? Not really. In many cases, it's just a feature people buy to help them to sleep better at night.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nail Yener
    Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

    I have a PO box and run ethical quality sites. So far I have been buying domain privacy but I am starting to wonder what am I gaining from it?

    I would love to learn your thoughts regarding domain privacy.
    If you are not sure if it is worth it that means it is not worth it for you. I don't use domain privacy because I have no reason to. And I didn't have any issues because of not having domain privacy on dozens of domains/websites in the last 5 years.
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  • Profile picture of the author icoachu
    Personally, domain privacy is WORTH IT...

    Why?

    There are just so many spammers and info harvesters out there.

    Who needs the hassle?

    If you're worried about Godaddy's privacy fees, switch to Namesilo or other registrars who offer FREE whois privacy.
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