Is Google Domains shutting down? Find out if a website is shutting down and what it means for website owners and Google domain registrants.
What is Google Domains?
Google Domains is an Internet service operated by Google that serves as a domain registry. This service offers various features to help users manage their domains efficiently. These features include domain registration, DNS hosting, dynamic DNS, domain forwarding, and email forwarding. Google Domains also seamlessly integrates with Google Cloud DNS and Google Workspace, providing users with native support for these services.
Additionally, it offers convenient one-click DNS configuration, allowing users to connect their domains to popular platforms such as Blogger, Google Sites, Squarespace, Wix.com, Weebly, Bluehost, Shopify, and Firebase. Furthermore, Google Domains supports essential functions such as domain privacy, custom name servers and DNSSEC for enhanced security.
It is worth noting that Google has been operating as a domain name registrar since 2005. However, Google Domains was officially introduced to the public in a beta testing phase on January 13, 2015. The beta phase lasted until March 15, 2022, when Google announced that Google Domains was successfully out of beta. By February 4, 2022, the service has expanded its support to more than 300 top-level domains, providing users with a wide range of options.
Is Google Domains shutting down?
Yes, Google Domains is indeed shutting down, and Squarespace will take over the assets associated with the Google Domains business. This acquisition includes approximately 10 million domains hosted on Google Domains through numerous clients. As part of the deal, Squarespace committed to maintaining current renewal prices for existing Google Domains customers for at least 12 months after the transaction closes.
Squarespace will also offer incentives to encourage those users to create websites using Squarespace’s platform and take advantage of their other services. During the migration process, Squarespace will use Google’s infrastructure that powers Google Domains to ensure a seamless domain transfer.
Matt Madrigal, vice president and general manager of Merchant Shopping at Google, said the deal with Squarespace is part of their efforts to sharpen their focus. Google’s priority is to support a smooth transition for users in the coming months with the help of the Google Domains team. Squarespace aims to provide an integrated experience for buying and managing domains, along with offering additional tools customers may need to establish their online presence.
Who is this Squarespace?
Squarespace, Inc. is a prominent American company based in New York that specializes in website development and hosting services. The company operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering users the tools and platform needed to build and customize websites using pre-designed templates and a convenient drag-and-drop interface.
Squarespace was founded in 2003 by Anthony Casalena while studying at the University of Maryland, College Park. It started as a humble blog hosting service, with Casalena as the only employee. However, by 2006, the company had achieved significant growth, reaching $1 million in revenue. Over the years, Squarespace has seen significant expansion. In 2010, the company employed 30 employees, and by 2015, it employed 550 people.
During that period, Squarespace secured a total of $78.5 million in venture capital funding. The company has used these resources to enhance its offering, introducing e-commerce tools, domain name services and advanced analytics capabilities. Notably, Squarespace has also transformed its coding backend, replacing it with a set of easy-to-use drag-and-drop features that make website customization a breeze.
To further strengthen its presence in the market, Squarespace made its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange on May 19, 2021. This move demonstrated the significant growth and market value of the company.
According to W3Techs, Squarespace currently powers approximately 1.9% of the top 10 million websites in the world, highlighting its popularity and widespread adoption among website owners.
With its user-friendly interface, diverse template options, and comprehensive suite of website building tools, Squarespace has become a well-known and respected platform for individuals and businesses looking to establish and maintain a strong online presence.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on the website is provided in good faith, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the website.
Categories: General
Source: HIS Education