GoDaddy Inc.

When you control over 52 million domains and hold a 20% market share of the global domain registration market, you're not just another registrar—you're the foundation of the modern internet. GoDaddy Inc. has built something unprecedented: a complete ecosystem where entrepreneurs can register a domain, build a website, set up hosting, launch marketing campaigns, and even sell their domains on a marketplace, all under one roof.

Based in Tempe, Arizona, GoDaddy operates as both an ICANN-accredited registrar (IANA ID 146) and a domain name registry, giving them a unique dual role in the DNS infrastructure. They don't just sell domains—they actually run the technical infrastructure for top-level domains like .godaddy. This vertical integration means they control more of the domain lifecycle than almost any other company in the space.

What sets GoDaddy apart is their relentless focus on small businesses and entrepreneurs. While other registrars might offer bare-bones domain registration, GoDaddy has built an entire platform designed to take someone from "I have an idea" to "I have a functioning online business." Their domain appraisal tool uses machine learning trained on their massive database of domain transactions to predict values. Their aftermarket platform connects buyers and sellers. Their financing options let customers pay for premium domains in installments.

The company's acquisition strategy tells the story of deliberate expansion into every corner of the domain industry. They acquired Uniregistry's registrar and marketplace businesses in 2020 to strengthen their position with domain investors. In 2022, they bought Dan.com, a Dutch domain trading platform that brought sophisticated sales tools and international reach. Each acquisition hasn't just added customers—it's added capabilities that make GoDaddy's ecosystem more complete.

Today, GoDaddy employs approximately 5,518 people and serves millions of small businesses globally. Their tagline captures their evolution: "GoDaddy does more than sell domain names. We help millions of small businesses globally accelerate their growth, giving entrepreneurs confidence." They've transformed from a domain registrar into a comprehensive platform for digital entrepreneurship.