Offering domain name registration — Amazon.com starts

Et tu, Amazon?

Amazon.com is now offering domain name registration in conjunction with its web services.

This move is not similar to Google’s recent foray into the retail registration market. Instead, it’s similar to what Google did many years ago — offer domain name registration through partners.

Web services providers understand that domain name registration is a key part of getting online. Making it easier to get and integrate a domain name makes it easier to use web services.

Amazon’s domain name registration is offered through its Route 53 Domain Name Service (DNS). It’s actually a reseller deal with ICANN-accredited registrar Gandi. .Com domain names cost $12 a year.

Google has offered domain names in this fashion for many years through partnerships with GoDaddy and eNom. In June it decided to enter the retail domain name registration market directly, no doubt since it will soon be the registry for dozens of fresh generic top level domain names.

Amazon.com also applied to run dozens of top level domain names. Could its entry into the retail domain name registration market be far behind?

(hat tip: @GeorgeKirikos)

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