Half Domain Name Registrar Scorecard — 2009 First

A look at winners and losers in the domain race in the first half of 2009.

The first half of 2009 was tumultuous for many domain name registrars. But a few — counting GoDaddy — continue to grow their registration base.

Here’s how the top 10 registrars (plus a couple others popular amongst domainers) fared in terms of domain registration base from January 1 through June 30, 2009. This data is from RegistrarStats, and only covers .com, .net, .info, .org, .biz, .us, and .mobi. They are listed in order of size from biggest to smallest.

GoDaddy – up 8.42% to 34,453,064 domains. This includes Wild West Domains, GoDaddy’s reseller unit. Bob Parsons has proven that marketing is simple: girls and low prices. Works for everything else, so why not domains?

eNom – up 2.6% to 9,039,185. Will it break through the 8 figure barrier? The last million is always the hardest.

Tucows – up 3.3% to 7,432,309. Started adding ItsYourDomain domains in late 08/early 09. Reseller channel working well. Will fresh direct-to-consumer Hover brand boost volume?

Network Solutions – down 1.1% to 6,563,744. Given that many of its clients pay $35 a year for domains, I’d be willing to put up with a bit of churn as an investor.

1&1 – up 3.9% to 4,797,417. “Take our domains. Please!” Cut rate prices and big ad budget.

Melbourne IT – down 3.5% to 4,798,615.

Register.com – down 0.7% to 2,726,896. Another registrar getting away with murderous pricing.

Moniker – down 2.4% to 2,587,695. Loyal client base trimming portfolios, but sticking around.

PublicDomainRegistry – up 2.75% to 2,331,684. Directi’s army of resellers is working hard.

Fabulous – down 13.7% to 1,110,624. Big drop likely due to culling its own portfolio, but surely doesn’t account for 176,000 domains lost.

Dotster – down 2.8% to 1,036,550.