OK this is a loaded post. I use godaddy to register my domains. I even have a reseller account with them since I consult with small businesses and non profits. I host a couple sites with them and use their template builder for a couple sites as well. Primarily I register with godaddy and then change the nameservers at godaddy to point to Media Temple where I host all my wordpress blogs and blog/websites. Media Temple has a one click application and grid hosting plan that I like.

Now here is my key to organizing domains. Stop buying them compulsively. You know who you are. I am so guilty of this. I get a creative idea or thought- boom, I buy a domain. It’s only $9-$10 bucks with godaddy. Here’s the kicker. When you buy 30 to 40 to 50 of these puppies over the course of a year, they start renewing on you like 3 per month. That’s $30-$40 bill each month.

Here are couple tips I have used lately to tame this domain madness.

1. I set up my view in my control panel to see what domains I have, when they renew, and whether of not they are forwarded. That’s pretty much all I care about.
2. I eliminate all the .nets I have purchased. Since I have .com, I’m not too worried about someone else getting .net. What does it matter anymore? They’ll just come up with a creative play on words or get .tv or .us or .me. So I don’t know that you are really protecting your brand that much if you do buy up all the different extensions. One exception to this that I have been toying with lately is buying the .com and .net or .whatever and using one for my main blog and the other for a website or ning social network site. Just a thought.
3. I really analyze which domains I have purchased and which ones I’m using or will use. I let the others expire. Yes I know it’s crazy. I can hear the murmurs now. “As soon as I throw something away I need it.” You cannot wait until you get a notice of a annual renewal, because you will not take the time to log in and take the renewal off of autopilot.
4. Since many domains I purchase are catchy names that I want to advertise with, I try to make sure the splash page or forwarding is set up. The problem with this is setting up landing pages for multiple sales pages takes a long time. Are you going to load each one with Google Anayltics and track it as well. Before long your business will be SEO, web design, and online marketing- when you actually own a coffee shop, sell houses or do free lance consulting. The other problem is that Google Adwords and organic seaches really don’t like it when you forward domains. One alternative to splash pages is to create Squidoo lenses, but don’t be spammy.
5. Last but not least- do not register with multiple registrars and hosting companies. You will create a nightmare of web architecture and you will save a couple dollars. I have worked with some customers organizing their computers or offices and others with blogs and online marketing. It can take days to reconnect the dots when you have domains registered with 2 different resellers, yahoo, godaddy, bluehost, hostmonster, etc. It’s the equivalent of spending 2 hours, and 2 gallons of gas saving $8 shopping, by driving all over the city to 3 different stores.

So to summarize.

• Buy less domains by actually thinking “will I use this and when.”
• Periodically log in and take inventory of the domains you have renewing soon. Take them off autorenew and they will be canceled with no more effort on your part.
• If you have multiple domains for sales purposes- set up your sales pages or forwards and use them. Set a deadline and get it done- or admit you won’t and cancel them.
• Buy what you need now unless it’s a really big idea that you want to act on in the future. Maybe a blog you’d like to start, a social network you’d like to build or a book you’d like to write.

Hope this helped.