GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a publicly traded Internet domain registrar and web hosting company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Tempe, Arizona. The company was founded in 1997 by Bob Parsons under the name Jomax Technologies. Here is an in-depth look at the company:
History
- Founding: GoDaddy was initially launched as Jomax Technologies in 1997. The name "Go Daddy" was inspired by Parsons' desire for a name that was memorable and had a sense of urgency. The company officially became Go Daddy Software Inc. in 1999.
- Expansion: By 2002, GoDaddy had become the world's largest ICANN-accredited registrar. They expanded their services beyond domain registration to include web hosting, website building tools, and online marketing.
- Leadership: Bob Parsons remained CEO until 2011 when he stepped down, with Scott Wagner becoming the new CEO. The company underwent further leadership changes, with Blake Irving serving as CEO from 2013 to 2017, followed by Aman Bhutani in 2019.
- IPO: In 2015, GoDaddy went public with an IPO, raising $460 million from the sale of 23 million shares.
Services
- Domain Registration: GoDaddy provides domain name registration services for all top-level domains (TLDs), including .com, .org, .net, and more specialized TLDs like .blog or .tech.
- Web Hosting: They offer shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, and dedicated hosting plans to cater to different levels of website requirements.
- Website Building: Tools for creating websites with drag-and-drop interfaces, templates, and website builder software are available.
- Online Marketing: Services include search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, email marketing, and social media management.
- Security: SSL certificates, website security, and domain privacy protection are offered to secure customer's online presence.
Controversies
- Super Bowl Ads: GoDaddy is known for its controversial Super Bowl commercials, which often feature scantily clad women or risqué humor, drawing both attention and criticism.
- Domain Tasting: In the past, GoDaddy was criticized for participating in "domain tasting," a practice where registrars register a domain to assess its profitability before deciding whether to keep it. This practice was eventually curbed by ICANN.
- SOXPA: GoDaddy was one of the first companies to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA), citing concerns over freedom of speech and innovation.
Acquisitions
- Media Temple: Acquired in 2013 to expand its hosting capabilities.
- Main Street Hub: In 2018, GoDaddy acquired Main Street Hub, a company offering digital marketing and social media management for small businesses.
- Poynt: In 2019, GoDaddy acquired Poynt, a smart payment terminal company, to bolster its payment solutions for small businesses.
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