Is GoDaddy Growing Up?
GoDaddy, one of the largest web hosting companies, has not been known for their somber professionalism in marketing. What they have been known for are Superbowl commercials involving scantily clad women in racy situations. They also got a lot of criticism earlier this year for their support of SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. Although many users found GoDaddy’s advertising choices to be sexist and offensive, even more of their customers switch web hosting providers in protest of the support for SOPA, fearing that it would harm websites whose content is user generated.
In response to the boycott, GoDaddy reneged on their support for SOPA and now it looks like they will be cleaning up their advertising act as well. Last week, the company announced that they would be hiring a new ad agency who will be taking their commercials in a new direction. Although they are under new ownership, all of the people involved will be staying involved, including founder Jim Parsons, and racecar driver and “GoDaddy Girl” Danica Patrick. Parsons said the move was a natural part of growing up, comparing the company to a “frat boy” is graduating college and moving on.
I’ve never been a huge fan of GoDaddy’s marketing campaigns but if I was looking for a new webhost I don’t know if I would have let it stop me. But now I’ll be interested to see how long it will take for GoDaddy to be forgiven by consumers who were avoiding the company because of their advertising. I don’t know if those who left while GoDaddy was supporting SOPA ever came back and I don’t know if people who were offended by the commercials will be willing to make the switch now. Although this may help gain new clients who don’t remember the arguably sexist and demeaning advertising, for others, it may just be too little too late.
6 comments
Its funny but everyone seems to forget the old maxim sex sells its as true now as it hasa ever been. Would women complain if it was male strippers on the ad??? I think not and the new movie about male strippers and its success proves my point
Hi,
My main problem with Go Daddy is with its tech support, and I am thinking of switching to a better, reasonably priced hosting service. Any suggestions?
While a company may be reflected IN their advertising, it is not the whole picture. I have been a GoDaddy customer, with both personal and business accounts. Over the years I have registered, hosted and managed over 100 websites with them, and have always found their customer service to be solid and their tech support to be ALWAYS helpful. I am always shopping for other, potentially less expensive options, however as a business professional, I find peace of mind with all of my accounts managed in the same place. Yes, there are less expensive options… but the question remains is will the few extra $$ saved be at the expense of the service and reliability I have come to expect. In this fly-by-night world of instant gratification and quick-fixes… doesn’t loyalty count for anything anymore? I believe it does… and GoDaddy will continue to have my business.
Regarding my first point that an ad itself does not “make” the company… I ask all readers to consider this:
Last year, McDonalds used the following statement on their Big Mac packaging:
“What makes your Big Mac so unique?”
That silly little marketing question is grammatically INCORRECT. Something is either unique or it isn’t, just like a woman is either pregnant or she isn’t. According to those who reject GoDaddy as a hosting option because they dislike their “frat-like” ads, shouldn’t McDonalds be blackballed for their poor grammar?
Get real. Personally, I found the Big Mac box to be more offensive than anything GoDaddy ever advertised. I hate most of the GoDaddy ads, but I like, respect and will continue to use the company. Because their ads are a matter of OPINION, and mine is only one of many. Grammar, on the other hand, is not subject to opinion. They are called the RULES for grammar, not the suggestions, for a reason.
Kudos to GoDaddy for listening to their customer base and “growing up” in their advertising. SHAME on McDonalds for setting such a poor grammatical example to today’s youth.
I personally like their marketing strategy, and it seems to work pretty well. Why not use “Godaddy girls” to market their products and services.
Coz, how many Rhode scholars do you know that patronize McDonalds? You do not see many unless they are there with their children. McDonalds was just talking to the level of their core customer. That is what advertising does. So I ask, really? Offended by a sandwich box? Who needs to get real? Or should I say get a life? Lighten up bud.
I’m looking for another web hosting provider, because I’m fed up with the junk mail I receive from GoDaddy. I’ve better things to do than delete their daily garbage mail. Any suggestion? A provider who doesn’t spam?
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