December 18, 2006 (HOSTSEARCH.COM) Google has partnered with web hosting and domain name providers GoDaddy.com and eNom to sell domain names, it was announced recently. The companys service will manage domains with the ".com," ".net," ".biz" and ".info." extensions and domains will cost $10 US per year.
The move is intended to encourage people to use Googles online services and people registering domains through Google will automatically receive accounts that will enable them to use a range of Google online services (Google Base, email, calendaring, instant messaging, etc.). Users purchasing domains through Google will, however, still be able to use services provided by the companys rivals.
The move comes on the tail of a recent revelation that Microsoft is now an ICANN approved domain registrar and able to sell domains to its customers. According to Internet monitor, Netcraft, Microsoft has been reselling domain names from an Australian-based registrar called Melbourne IT a company that provides wholesale domains to Yahoo and other web hosting providers. It not currently clear exactly how Microsoft will use its new found status, but analysts assume that, as with Google, the selling of domains will support its online services.