A little over a year ago, Go Daddy’s position on SOPA brought quite a bit of negative publicity (deservedly) onto the company, although it later changed its position and opposed SOPA. Go Daddy competitor NameCheap spearheaded a domain transfer initiative known as “Move Your Domain Day,” and many people joined in and transferred domain names from Go Daddy.
I received a press release from NameCheap announcing that the company is turning its “Move Your Domain Day” into “an annual protest and a commemoration of sorts that will continue to shine a light on the issue of a free and open internet, an issue we at Namecheap strongly believe in.”
It’s a smart marketing move for the company to make since people tend to have short memories about this type of thing. Giving a financial incentive to transfer domain names is good marketing, and it will likely draw considerable attention in the coming days.
Go Daddy is by far the largest domain registrar, and some of its recent missteps (elephant hunting and SOPA to name two off the top of my head) have opened the door for smaller registrars to take some business.
Press Release:
Namecheap, a leading domain name registrar, announces its second annual Move Your Domain Day for January 22nd. In 2012, Namecheap launched the Move Your Domain Day initiative to remind its users about the dangers of a closed Internet as brought upon by the possible passing of SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. While the threat of the SOPA act has passed, similar acts have been proposed that may continue to threaten the very liberties we have earned the right to enjoy.
“We want “MoveYourDomainDay” to become an annual protest and a commemoration of sorts that will continue to shine a light on the issue of a free and open internet, an issue we at Namecheap strongly believe in,” Richard Kirkendall, CEO of Namecheap, said. “Last year showed us what could happen when the entire internet mobilizes for a cause and we want to continue that spirit that inspired so many to make a stand. We donated over $60,000 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation to continue fighting bills like SOPA. We invite and urge every registrar, hosting company, or online entity that shares these same beliefs to participate in their own way and every customer to vote with their choice in company they do business with. As long as it brings more attention and focus to this extremely important issue, everybody wins.”
In 2013, Namecheap continues to fight the fight against such legislation. On January 22nd, Namecheap will be running a transfer special for all com/net/org/info/biz domains to Namecheap. Domain transfers on this date will be $3.99. In addition, Namecheap will donate $0.50 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation for every domain transferred to Namecheap. If more than 10,000 domains are transferred within this 24 hour period, $1 per domain will be donated to EFF. If more than 20,000 domains are transferred on that day, $1.50 per domain will be donated to EFF.
“EFF is pleased to join Namecheap in celebrating digital rights within the greater the Internet community. The funds donated from the moveyourdomainday effort will ensure EFF can continue to fight for free expression for Internet users worldwide,” said Shari Steele, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
About Namecheap
Namecheap is a Los Angeles-based ICANN accredited domain registrar founded in 2000 by CEO Richard Kirkendall. With over 800,000 clients and millions of domain names under management, Namecheap is one of the top domain registrars in the world and also offers web hosting services. Find out more by visiting us at http://www.namecheap.com.
It looks like the old saying, “you snooze, you lose” is true when it comes to the 
There always seem to be great deals, coupons, and special offers when you are looking to register a new domain name, but when you are trying to renew one of your domain names, renewal deals are as common as unicorns.