Websites using Enom

Okay, let s break down eNom, a popular domain registrar and reseller platform, covering its overview, revenue (estimates), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

eNom Overview

• What it is: eNom is a domain name registrar and reseller platform owned by Tucows (a publicly traded company). They primarily operate behind the scenes, providing domain registration, web hosting, and related services to resellers who then sell them to end-users (individuals and businesses). Think of them as a wholesale provider for domains.
• Key Features:
  • Domain Name Registration: Registering a wide variety of domain extensions (TLDs, like .com, .net, .org, etc.).
  • Domain Reselling: Providing tools and APIs for partners (resellers) to sell domain names under their own brand.
  • Web Hosting: Basic web hosting packages (though less emphasized than domain services).
  • SSL Certificates: Offering SSL certificates to secure websites.
  • Email Hosting: Providing email hosting solutions for domain names.
  • API Access: Robust API (Application Programming Interface) for integration with other platforms and automation.
  • Domain Management Tools: Tools for managing domain settings, DNS records, WHOIS information, etc.
• Target Audience:
  • Domain Resellers: Web hosting companies, web design agencies, marketing firms, and individuals looking to start their own domain reselling business.
  • Businesses: Businesses that need to register and manage multiple domain names.
  • Developers: Developers who need to integrate domain registration and management into their applications.
• Reputation: eNom has a mixed reputation. They are a large and established player, but sometimes get criticized for higher pricing (compared to some discount registrars) when buying directly, and occasional customer service issues (often relayed through their resellers).

Revenue (Estimates)

• Important Note: eNom s revenue is not reported separately. It s part of Tucows overall revenue.
• Tucows Inc. (Parent Company) Revenue: To get an idea of the scale, you need to look at Tucows financials. Tucows reports revenue in three segments:
  • Domain Services: This is where eNom s revenue is primarily accounted for.
  • Mobile Services: Ting Mobile.
  • Fiber Internet Services: Ting Internet.
• Finding Tucows Revenue: You can find Tucows (TCX) financial reports (annual reports, quarterly reports) on their investor relations website or through financial news sources like Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, or the SEC s EDGAR database. Look for their Domain Services revenue to get the best approximation of eNom s contribution. Expect this to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Alternatives to eNom

Here s a list of alternative domain registrars and reseller platforms:

• Direct Registrars (For end-users):

  • Namecheap: Known for competitive pricing and good customer service.
  • Google Domains: Simple interface, integrated with Google services (now part of Squarespace).
  • Porkbun: Offers a range of domain names and services at competitive prices.
  • Cloudflare Registrar: Excellent security and performance features, but primarily focuses on users already using Cloudflare s services. They sell domains at cost.
  • Namesilo: Focuses on low pricing and free WHOIS privacy.
  • Hover: (Also owned by Tucows) Focuses on a user-friendly experience and privacy.
  • GoDaddy: The largest registrar, offering a wide range of services but often with aggressive upselling.

• Reseller Platforms:

  • ResellerClub: A popular platform for web hosting and domain resellers.
  • OpenSRS: (Also owned by Tucows) Another reseller platform, similar to eNom.
  • Encirca Another popular domain registrar/reseller that has competitive pricing.

Pricing

• Variable: eNom s pricing varies depending on:
  • The domain extension (TLD): .com, .net, .org, etc., all have different prices.
  • The reseller: Resellers set their own prices, so you ll see different prices from different companies using eNom.
  • Promotions and discounts: eNom and its resellers often offer promotional pricing.
  • Registration length: Longer registration periods (e.g., 5 years) may sometimes offer a slightly lower annual price.
• Generally: eNom s direct prices are usually not the cheapest you can find. You re paying for the convenience and features of the platform. The real value is for resellers who get wholesale pricing.
• How to find pricing:
  1. Check with eNom Resellers: Browse the websites of web hosting companies or domain resellers that you know.
  2. Use a Domain Price Comparison Tool: There are websites that compare domain prices across multiple registrars.
• Things to Consider:
  • Renewal Prices: Always check the renewal price, as it can be significantly higher than the initial registration price.
  • Hidden Fees: Be aware of potential add-on fees for things like WHOIS privacy (though many registrars now offer this free).
  • Transfer Fees: Understand the fees (if any) to transfer your domain to another registrar.

Customer Care Details

• Indirect for End-Users: eNom primarily provides customer support to its resellers, not directly to end-users who purchase domains through those resellers.
• Support Channels for Resellers:
  • Online Knowledge Base: Documentation, FAQs, and tutorials.
  • Email Support: Ticket-based email support.
  • Phone Support: May be available to higher-tier reseller partners.
  • API Documentation: Detailed documentation for developers using the eNom API.
• If you are an end-user: You must contact the company from whom you purchased the domain (the reseller) for any support issues. eNom will typically not assist you directly.
• Reputation for End-User Support (Indirect): The quality of customer support experienced by end-users is entirely dependent on the reseller. Some resellers provide excellent support, while others are less responsive. This is a critical factor to consider when choosing a reseller.

In Summary

eNom is a major behind-the-scenes player in the domain industry, powering many smaller registrars. While they may not be the cheapest option for direct registration, their platform provides value to resellers. If you re an end-user, focus on finding a reputable reseller with good customer support. If you are looking to be a reseller, eNom s robust platform and API may be a good fit.