Recommended: Go Daddy for SSL, Domains, Hosting

If you've read my postings before, you know I like Network Solutions for domain management and Slicehost.com for virtual private server hosting.

I really like Network Solutions because they provide ironclad domain management (their security monitoring saved my bacon when one of my domains was being hijacked after my former VPS hosting service helped (through incompetence) a hacker get enough access to hack my Network Solutions password). I manage about 40 domains through my account there and really appreciate their services.

As far as running a VPS, I really love www.slicehost.com for developer-focused VPS hosting. They have a really beautiful hosting environment, a fantastic feature set, and a super competitive pricing model.

However, when I want to get "down and dirty" domain name hosting, high value/low cost SSL certificates, or lowest cost site hosting, I usually go to godaddy.com.

Here's why...

1. It is pretty hard to beat godaddy.com's "value for money" pricing.

We're talking $7 to $11 per year for domains, economy web hosting from $4 per month, and SSL certificates for $12.99!

2. Huge selection of products.

If you want to set up an online store, host a website, or build a VPS, godaddy.com has a product to fit.

3. Insightful add-ons.

You can add on to most products with the insightful (often free) add-ons that come with a godaddy.com product. For instance, if you want to run a CMS (content management system) on your web host, a few clicks and you can be running any of these CMS systems: anyInventory, Community Server, DotNetNuke, Drupal (my favorite), Joomla, Mambo, MODx, Moodle, Nucleus, SilverStripe, Tandem Server, or XOOPS.

However, why take my word for it? At this point in August of 2009, www.google.com uses godaddy.com for its Google Apps domain name manager, when you create your domain during the sign-up for Google Apps. I think that is a pretty good endorsement for godaddy.com

I strongly recommend godaddy.com for your domain hosting, web hosting, and SSL certificate needs.