Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Domain.com

Domain.com is an domain registrar and web hosting company founded in 1998 and headquartered in . It operates as a of Newfold , providing essential infrastructure services to individuals, entrepreneurs, and small- to medium-sized businesses worldwide. The company's core offerings include registration across hundreds of top-level domains, shared and VPS web hosting, website builders, business email solutions, SSL certificates for security, and online marketing tools such as optimization and email campaigns. Since its inception, Domain.com has focused on simplifying online presence establishment with user-friendly interfaces and bundled services, enabling customers to register domains, build sites, and launch digital operations efficiently. It supports over 300 domain extensions and hosts more than 1.2 million websites, emphasizing reliability with 99.9% uptime guarantees and 24/7 . As part of Newfold Digital's portfolio, which includes other prominent hosting brands, Domain.com benefits from integrated technologies and resources to deliver scalable solutions for growing online ventures. The company prioritizes security features like DNS management, transfer locks, and forwarding to protect users' digital assets.

Overview

Company Profile

Domain.com is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar and web hosting provider headquartered in , with global operations serving over 1.2 million websites worldwide. Founded in 1998 by George DeCarlo, the company operates as a of , following the 2021 rebranding of its parent entity from . The core business model centers on offering accessible online presence solutions, including for hundreds of top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .net, and newer generic TLDs like .xyz, alongside web hosting services tailored for ease of use. As part of Newfold Digital, which reports annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, Domain.com contributes to the parent company's domain segment revenue. In the competitive domain and hosting industry, Domain.com positions itself as an affordable, entry-level provider, primarily targeting small businesses and individual users seeking straightforward tools to establish and manage their online identities without complex enterprise features. This focus enables it to cater to a broad audience, emphasizing cost-effective registration and hosting options that support basic website needs.

Leadership and Ownership

Domain.com's executive leadership operates under the umbrella of its parent company, Newfold Digital, with strategic direction provided by Newfold's C-suite. Sharon Rowlands has served as of Newfold Digital since January 2019, a role she assumed following the acquisition of by ; her appointment marked a post-transition phase emphasizing growth in web presence solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Rowlands, with over 20 years of experience in high-tech sectors, previously led companies like ReachLocal as CEO and held executive positions at and Reed Business Information. Notable figures in Domain.com's operational leadership during the and early included Jason Miner, appointed of domain-focused brands in 2014, overseeing Domain.com and related properties. Similarly, Karen Dixon served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Newfold Digital from around 2011 to 2024, managing marketing strategies for Domain.com and other domain brands with a focus on customer acquisition and brand visibility. These appointments reflected a broader shift in the from founder-led operations to professionalized management following the 2011 acquisition by ; Domain.com originated from Dotster, founded by George DeCarlo in 1998 as a service. DeCarlo, a graduate and IT entrepreneur, transitioned out of day-to-day leadership post-acquisition, enabling the integration of Domain.com into a larger corporate structure. Ownership of Domain.com has remained stable within the Newfold Digital ecosystem since 2021, with no significant changes reported as of 2025. The company was acquired by in 2011 as part of its expansion into domain registration services, integrating Domain.com alongside brands like Dotster. itself was acquired by for $3 billion in February 2021, prompting a merger with Siris Capital-backed Web.com to form Newfold Digital, a valued at over $5 billion at the time. and Siris Capital continue to hold primary ownership interests, providing capital and strategic guidance without further divestitures or restructurings affecting Domain.com. Governance at Domain.com emphasizes and ethical data management, aligned with its status as an ICANN-accredited (IANA ID 886, operating as Domain.com LLC). As such, it adheres to ICANN's Registrar Accreditation Agreement and Registration Data Policy, which mandate accurate data collection for domain registrations while incorporating safeguards for personal information access, particularly in response to global privacy standards. The company prioritizes data privacy through services like Domain Privacy + Protection, which redacts registrant details from public records to mitigate exposure risks. This aligns with compliance to the EU's (GDPR), where Domain.com provides tools and guidance for businesses to handle EU customer data securely, including consent mechanisms and data minimization. For U.S. operations, it focuses on the (CCPA), enabling consumer rights such as data access requests and opt-outs for California residents. Oversight from Newfold Digital's board, influenced by and Siris Capital, ensures alignment with these practices, including regular audits and policy updates to maintain ICANN certification and privacy standards.

History

Founding and Early Development

Domain.com traces its origins to the Dotster brand, which was founded in 1999 by George DeCarlo, an IT entrepreneur and graduate, as an evolution from earlier projects initiated in 1998. Dotster officially launched in January 2000 as a project of Columbia Analytical Services Holdings, Inc., with Dotster providing affordable services during the dot-com boom. The company's early emphasized low-cost .com domain registrations to appeal to web enthusiasts, small businesses, and individual site owners seeking accessible online presence. This approach positioned it as one of the pioneering registrars in a rapidly expanding market, with initial operations based in . By 2001, Dotster and its services had achieved rapid growth, registering thousands of domains and introducing early shared web hosting options to complement registration. The dot-com bust of 2000–2001 presented significant challenges, including slowed registration growth across the industry as speculative investments collapsed. In response, the company pivoted toward bundled services, integrating with web hosting and email solutions to provide more comprehensive value for customers amid the market contraction. This strategic shift helped sustain operations during the downturn and laid the foundation for further expansion in the early 2000s.

Acquisitions and Rebranding

In late , Baker Capital, a , acquired Dotster from Columbia Analytical Services Holdings, Inc., enabling the company to scale its operations and broaden its service offerings in the domain registration and web hosting sector. This transaction marked a pivotal shift, as Dotster under new ownership expanded into (VPS) hosting and enhanced services to meet growing small business demands. In July 2011, Endurance International Group (EIG) acquired Dotster, integrating it into EIG's expansive portfolio of over 100 web hosting and domain management brands. This purchase strengthened EIG's position in the online presence market by incorporating Dotster's established customer base and domain expertise, while leveraging shared infrastructure for operational efficiencies across the group. Following the EIG acquisition, Dotster underwent a significant in , transitioning its primary accreditation and operations to Domain.com to better highlight its core strengths in and management. This shift included a comprehensive redesign for improved and a targeted emphasizing simplified domain services, which helped consolidate the brand identity under the Domain.com name. In 2021, EIG itself was acquired by Group, leading to a corporate to Newfold Digital through the merger of Endurance's web presence solutions with . This restructuring consolidated operations under a unified parent entity but preserved Domain.com's independent brand positioning and service continuity for its customers.

Recent Developments

From 2021 to 2024, Domain.com experienced significant growth under Newfold Digital, introducing AI-driven domain suggestions via its AI Domain Generator tool, which uses to propose available domain names based on user keywords and business descriptions. This feature streamlined the domain selection process for small businesses and individuals, contributing to increased registrations during a period of rising demand for digital presence solutions. Additionally, the company enhanced its mobile capabilities, updating web-based management tools for better accessibility on mobile devices, enabling users to monitor and manage domains more efficiently without dedicated apps. A pivotal event occurred in August 2025, when Domain.com announced its merger with , another Newfold Digital brand, to consolidate operations and expand service offerings. The integration combined customer bases, while leveraging shared infrastructure for improved scalability and unified support teams to handle inquiries across brands. This move aimed to provide customers with a broader range of web presence tools, including enhanced management and hosting options. As of November 2025, the integration was ongoing with seamless service continuity reported. Following the merger, Domain.com benefited from upgraded backend technology that accelerated domain registration processes, reducing processing times and enhancing reliability for users.

Products and Services

Domain Registration

Domain.com offers an efficient process that begins with instant availability checks for popular extensions such as .com and .net, allowing users to search and verify domain names in real-time through their online tool. The registration typically involves selecting a domain, choosing the registration term (usually 1-10 years), adding optional services, and completing payment, with first-year pricing starting at $11.99 for .com domains and $14.99 for .net. Auto-renewal options are available to automatically extend registrations at the end of the term, preventing accidental expiration and ensuring continuous ownership. The registrar supports over 300 top-level domains (TLDs), encompassing legacy options like .com and .org as well as generic TLDs (gTLDs) such as .xyz and .online. Domain.com supports .xyz among new gTLDs introduced by in 2014. Key unique features include free privacy protection for life on eligible domains, which masks registrant contact information to reduce and enhance security. Bulk registration tools enable users to search, , and manage multiple domains simultaneously, ideal for businesses or investors. Additionally, a domain brokerage service assists in acquiring premium or aftermarket names by negotiating on behalf of clients. As an ICANN-accredited , Domain.com adheres to all compliance requirements for domain management and . Transfer-in discounts are offered to encourage moving existing domains, often reducing costs for the first year post-transfer. Expiration policies provide a of 30-60 days after the date, during which owners can reinstate domains without losing them.

Web Hosting

Domain.com provides a range of web hosting options designed for users from beginners to those requiring more robust infrastructure. Following the 2025 integration into , services are now accessed via the Network Solutions platform, with Domain.com customers migrated to an expanded portfolio of enhanced solutions, including improved infrastructure for global performance and reliability. Shared hosting plans start at $2.99 per month for the Starter tier (renews at $8.00 per month), which includes unlimited and supports hosting for one with unlimited . Higher shared tiers, such as Essential and Premium, allow for multiple websites and additional resources starting at $4.99 per month (renews at $13.99) and $6.99 per month (renews at $16.99), respectively. VPS hosting begins at approximately $20 per month, offering dedicated resources like CPU and for better performance on traffic-intensive sites. WordPress-optimized hosting plans, priced similarly to shared options, feature one-click installs for quick deployment of the . Key technologies underpinning Domain.com's hosting include the control panel for intuitive management of websites, databases, and email. All plans utilize SSD storage for faster data access and improved site loading speeds, with capacities starting at 10 GB on entry-level shared packages and scaling up to unmetered on premium options. The provider guarantees 99.9% uptime across all hosting services, ensuring reliable availability for online presence. While free site migration is not standard, assisted transfers are available through support channels for seamless transitions. Performance enhancements focus on and , with automatic backups provided to protect site data—though frequency may vary by plan, typically including on-demand options. Scalability is supported through upgrades from shared to VPS or dedicated servers, allowing users to expand resources without major overhauls. Integration with content delivery networks like is possible via manual setup, aiding in global content distribution.

Additional Services

Domain.com offers a range of supplementary services designed to enhance , productivity, and marketing capabilities for users beyond basic and web hosting. These add-ons provide tools to protect sites, streamline operations, and promote online presence, often integrable with existing Domain.com accounts for seamless management. Post-merger, these services benefit from ' unified resources, including AI-powered tools for enhanced functionality.

Security

Domain.com provides SSL certificates to secure websites by encrypting data transmission and enabling HTTPS, available in Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), Extended Validated (EV), Wildcard, and Unified Communications Certificate (UCC) types. Pricing starts at $82.44 per year for DV certificates (Xpress plan), with EV options at $329.89 per year, including features like 384-bit encryption, site seals, and up to $1,750,000 warranties depending on the type. These certificates improve SEO rankings and ensure compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR. For site protection, Domain.com integrates SiteLock, a cloud-based malware scanning service that performs daily scans for vulnerabilities, viruses, and threats like cross-site scripting, with automatic issue resolution. Basic SiteLock plans start at $6.99 per month, while premium tiers offer enhanced monitoring and firewall protection. Additionally, site backups are supported through tools like CodeGuard, which automates daily file and database backups to the cloud for quick restoration, though specific standalone pricing is bundled or varies by plan integration.

Email and Productivity

To support business communication, Domain.com offers professional business email services that match custom domains, starting at $1.75 per month for the basic Professional Email plan (1-year term), which includes secure cloud hosting, spam/virus protection, mobile access, and shared calendars. The Professional Email Plus plan, at $4.99 per month, adds advanced features like larger storage and collaboration tools. Integration with Microsoft 365 is available through plans like Business Plus at $4.99 per user per month, providing 50 GB mailboxes, Outlook web and desktop apps, calendars, and productivity suites for enhanced team efficiency. Complementing these, Domain.com's website builder tools enable drag-and-drop site creation without coding, starting at $1.99 per month for the Website plan (renews at $18.99 per month), which includes templates, basic SEO optimization, and mobile-responsive designs to boost productivity for small businesses. Higher tiers include Website + Marketing at $3.99 per month (renews at $24.99) and Ecommerce at $9.99 per month (renews at $32.99).

Marketing

Domain.com supports marketing efforts with built-in tools within its , offering keyword optimization, meta tag management, and integration to improve search visibility, included in plans starting at $1.99 per month. For online store setups, users can integrate solutions like via compatibility, allowing seamless addition of shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management without separate platforms. Premium support plans provide prioritized assistance for marketing queries, though detailed standalone pricing is not publicly specified and often ties into bundled hosting upgrades for 24/7 expert guidance.

Other

Domain.com extends services to professional web design, where experts create custom sites and marketing strategies, with costs ranging from $500 for simple designs to $5,000 or more for fully customized projects, including SEO and maintenance. For undeveloped domains, domain parking is available, allowing users to reserve names with placeholder pages featuring ads or "under construction" notices to generate passive revenue or maintain presence until development, typically at no extra cost beyond registration. These options briefly complement core hosting plans by adding layers of customization and interim utility.

References

  1. [1]
    Domain.com Company Profile - Office Locations, Competitors ...
    Domain.com is a web hosting solutions and technology provider to individuals, entrepreneurs, and small- and medium-sized businesses. It offers domain names, ...
  2. [2]
    Domain.com - Overview, News & Similar companies | ZoomInfo.com
    Domain.com is a domain registrar and web hosting company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a subsidiary of Newfold Digital.
  3. [3]
    Website Domains Names & Hosting | Domain.com
    Find and purchase your next website domain name and hosting without breaking the bank. Seamlessly establish your online identify today.Missing: overview | Show results with:overview
  4. [4]
    Domain.com - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding
    George DeCarlo: Founder. Details. Legal Name Domain.com, LLC. Operating Status Active. Company Type For Profit. Founders George DeCarlo. About the Company.Missing: parent | Show results with:parent
  5. [5]
    Domain.com Reviews and Profile - TLD-List
    Rating 1.3 (12) Company name, Domain.com, LLC ; Parent company, Endurance International Group, Inc. ; Company type, Registrar ; Year founded, 2000 ; Headquarters address, Domain.
  6. [6]
    Domain.com Review 2025 - Whoishostingthis.com
    Bottom line: Domain.com has established itself as a trustworthy and inexpensive web host. Its services are top-notch and reasonably priced, and the company ...
  7. [7]
    Clearlake Completes Acquisition of Endurance International Group ...
    Feb 10, 2021 · Endurance Web Presence combines with Web.com to create Newfold Digital, a global web presence market leader.
  8. [8]
    Domain.com Review 2025 – The Best Name Registrar To Use?
    Rating 7.5/10 · Starting from $1.99 · Review by Larry LudwigDomain.com offers a ton of TLD options that go beyond generic domains (currently more than 411).
  9. [9]
    Newfold Digital - Overview, News & Similar companies | ZoomInfo.com
    Newfold Digital's official website is www.newfold.com What is Newfold Digital's Revenue? Newfold Digital's revenue is $1.1 Billion What is Newfold Digital's SIC ...
  10. [10]
    Sharon Rowlands transforms Web.com into Newfold Digital
    Feb 24, 2023 · Newfold is one of Jacksonville's largest companies with about $1.4 billion in annual revenue and more than 4,000 employees, plus more than 2,000 ...
  11. [11]
    Domain.com Company Profile | Management and Employees List
    Domain.com Profile and History ... Domain.com is a domain registrar and web hosting company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a subsidiary of Newfold ...
  12. [12]
    Domain.com: Revenue, Competitors, Alternatives - Growjo
    Domain General Trading & Contracting Company established in the year 1991 in Kuwait. Since its inception our company emerged as an active participant in the ...Missing: founding | Show results with:founding
  13. [13]
    Sharon Rowlands | Newfold Digital
    Sharon Rowlands. Chief Executive Officer. Sharon brings deep industry knowledge and a strong track record of leading multibillion-dollar high-tech companies ...
  14. [14]
    Endurance Announces Brian Unruh as Executive Vice President ...
    Dec 2, 2014 · Endurance Announces Brian Unruh as Executive Vice President, International Operations and Jason Miner as General Manager of Domain-Focused ...
  15. [15]
    TLG Adds Strategic Advisory Leader Jason Miner as Managing ...
    Nov 3, 2025 · Miner will serve clients in new leadership role as the firm continues to expand strategic advisory offerings.
  16. [16]
    Domain.com posted on LinkedIn
    Sep 13, 2021 · Meet Karen Dixon. As Senior Vice President of Marketing at Newfold Digital, Karen is responsible for marketing all domain brands, including ...
  17. [17]
    Karen Dixon - Senior VP, Marketing at ProfitSolv - ZoomInfo
    Prior to ProfitSolv, Karen spent 12 years at Newfold Digital leading marketing teams for Web.com and Domain.com, two leading web presence SMB solutions. She ...
  18. [18]
    Dotster
    Founded in Vancouver in 1999, Dotster was the brainchild of George De Carlo - a webmaster by profession and an enthusiast for modern technology. The company ...<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Clearlake Completes Acquisition of Endurance International Group ...
    Feb 10, 2021 · Clearlake today announced the completion of its acquisition of Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. (Endurance) in an all-cash transaction valued at ...
  20. [20]
    List of Accredited Registrars - icann
    This filtered list below provides the public contact information, IANA number, and the website link for current ICANN-accredited registrars.
  21. [21]
    What is Domain Privacy + Protection and Why Do I Need It?
    Oct 15, 2025 · Domain Privacy + Protection hides your personal information in the public WHOIS database to keep it away from public view. Data has become ...
  22. [22]
    GDPR Compliance for your Business - Network Solutions
    Dec 4, 2017 · This article has provided a high-level overview of GDPR compliance for your businesses. We've covered key GDPR concepts, what businesses need to do to comply,
  23. [23]
    Dotster - ICANNWiki
    Founded, 1999. Founders, George DeCarlo. Websites. dotster.com · X (Twitter). Dotster is a domain name provider also offering web hosting and design, email ...
  24. [24]
    Dotster company information, funding & investors - Dealroom.co
    Oct 1, 2012 · The company was founded in 1999 by George DeCarlo, an IT entrepreneur. It officially launched in January 2000 as a subsidiary of CAS ...
  25. [25]
    Dotster - Overview, News & Similar companies | ZoomInfo.com
    Headquarters. 8100 NE Parkway Dr Ste 300, Vancouver, Washington, 98662, United States ; Phone Number. (360) 449-5900 ; Revenue. $23.5 Million ...Missing: 2000s | Show results with:2000s
  26. [26]
    S-1/A - SEC.gov
    In connection with our acquisition of Dotster, Inc. in July 2011, EIG ... 2011, by and between The Endurance International Group, Inc. and Ace Data ...
  27. [27]
    As Full As Possible List of EIG Companies and Brands With Details ...
    Feb 3, 2020 · Full list of EIG hosting companies that have been acquired by Endurance International Group and the dates with proof links when EIG bought ...
  28. [28]
    Dotster moves domains to Domain.com credentials
    May 17, 2012 · Dotster, which owns Domain.com, has transferred the domain names from its Dotster accreditation to the Domain.com one.Missing: relationship history
  29. [29]
    Domain.com Is Merging With Network Solutions
    Aug 23, 2025 · Domain.com is becoming Network Solutions. Learn how this change impacts our customers and services.Missing: July | Show results with:July
  30. [30]
    FAQs: Domain.com Is Becoming Network Solutions
    Domain.com is becoming Network Solutions to broaden the products and services that Domain.com offers. This article answers questions related to brand ...Missing: July 2025
  31. [31]
    Google Registry offers 50% off on developer-focused domains
    May 1, 2024 · Google Registry is celebrating .dev's 5th birthday with a 50% discount on standard-priced .dev domains. Don't miss out on this chance to grab your own .dev ...
  32. [32]
    How Much Does a Domain Cost in 2025: Prices, Tips, and More
    Sep 12, 2025 · Standard domains typically cost between $10 and $50 per year, covering popular extensions like .com, .net, and .org.
  33. [33]
    Your Guide to New TLDs in the Market - Network Solutions
    Aug 23, 2025 · How to submit new TLDs. Over recent years, new TLDs have emerged to address the growing need for flexibility and creativity in new domain names.Missing: headquarters | Show results with:headquarters
  34. [34]
    The Domain Name Registration Process - ICANN
    Nov 2, 2023 · Domain names may be registered with one of more than two thousand ICANN-accredited registrars or their resellers.
  35. [35]
    Domain.com Review 2025: Features, Details and Pricing - IsItWP
    Jan 21, 2025 · There are three hosting plans you can choose from. Basic – Starts at $3.75 per month and lets you host 1 website. You can create 10 databases ...
  36. [36]
    Domain.com Review - The Pros and Cons - Crazy Egg
    Oct 30, 2025 · Domain.com is a straightforward way to buy domains and get online fast. It's affordable, easy to use, and bundles helpful extras—making it ...
  37. [37]
    How Much Does Website Hosting Cost in 2025? - Network Solutions
    Apr 2, 2025 · Cloud hosting typically starts at $50 to $1,000+ per month, with costs scaling based on usage and traffic. VPS hosting. Ranging from $20 to ...Shared Hosting · Website Builder Hosting · Vps Hosting
  38. [38]
    Accessing/Managing your cPanel Linux Hosting package
    Managing your cPanel Linux Hosting package through your Control Panel with VIP.DOMAIN.COM · Managing your cPanel Linux Hosting package through an IP Address.
  39. [39]
    Domain.com Hosting Review 2025 - Digital Presso
    Jan 25, 2025 · Domain.com Hosting is a solid option for those looking to improve their website's SEO while staying on a budget.
  40. [40]
    Domain.com: Is it Any Good? (2025 Features, Cons, & Cost)
    Jan 15, 2025 · Plus – Host 10 websites and get 40GB storage and unmetered bandwidth. Plans start at $13.75 per month. Here too, Domain.com offers a free domain ...
  41. [41]
    Buy SSL Certificate | DV, EV, OV & Wildcard SSL - Network Solutions
    Compare SSL Certificate prices ; Xpress. Domain validation. $82.44 ; Basic. Organizational validation. $153.89 ; Advanced. Full coverage organizational validation.
  42. [42]
    What is SiteLock? Your Guide to Website Security - Network Solutions
    Aug 4, 2025 · SiteLock is a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that scans websites daily for threats like malware and automatically fixes issues.
  43. [43]
    How To Plan a Website: A Simple Guide To Getting Started
    Aug 14, 2025 · How To Launch a Website In 2025 · 1. Make your pre-launch plan · 2. Buy a domain name · 3. Create your website's sitemap · 4. Select a website ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  44. [44]
    Email Solutions
    Buy business email that builds trust and matches your domain. Set up quickly with secure hosting, mobile access, and powerful features to keep you connected.
  45. [45]
    Best Website Builder for Small Businesses in 2025 - Network Solutions
    Oct 9, 2025 · AI builder: creates a tailored site in minutes, no tech knowledge required. Built-in security: SSL certificates, daily backups, and strong ...
  46. [46]
    What Is WooCommerce? A Guide to Selling Online in 2025
    Jul 10, 2025 · Learn what WooCommerce is and how it helps you sell online in 2025. Discover features and simple tips to launch your WordPress store.
  47. [47]
    Secure & Reliable Web Hosting - Network Solutions
    Build your website with trusted web hosting that's secure, reliable, and packed with features—starting at just $2.99/month*. Expert support included.
  48. [48]
    Website Design Services - Network Solutions
    On average, pro website design service costs can range from $500 to $5,000 or more. A simple site might fall on the lower end, while a fully custom website ...
  49. [49]
    What Parked Domain Names are and How to Use Them Effectively
    Aug 23, 2025 · Key takeaways: A parked domain is one that's registered but not actively connected to a website or email host.