You should check out NameCheap too, Michael!

Thanks tamar. :) Peronsally I never recommend hosting with your registrar, and as far as GoDaddy goes I don't have any issues with their domain name registration. It is always good to have options though.

One of my first (almost dropped) sites is on GoDaddy. It's been hacked once a month so far :) The worst hosting ever

I agree. Still have sites on godaddy for one reason. Most people are members, so it is great for flipping sites you want to sell to other persons. Still, they are slow to fix this issue. What a mess.

Michael - yeah, I do understand that most people are less likely to host with their registrars, but usually I see that being the case when the company is primarily a hosting provider (e.g. BlueHost, MediaTemple) versus a domain name registrar (primarily) that offers hosting as a bonus.

It's your choice - but full disclosure - I do work with NameCheap. That said, I still wholeheartedly recommend them; I've been using their services since 2005 (before I started working with 'em).

One of my clients was informed by GoDaddy that they don't support the use of the common security-related WordPress plugins I recommended she install.  Specifically:

WordPress Security Scan: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-security-scan/

Secure WordPress:  http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/secure-wordpress/

Limit Login Attempts: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/limit-login-attempts/

While I've not confirmed that information for myself, she has no reason to lie to me about it.  Her site has been hacked several times over the past year and, while she didn't fall victims to hackers this time around, she's finally considering switching hosts after this most recent GoDaddy security breach.  And yet GoDaddy continues to claim they're not to blame.  I guess baffling their customers with bullshit is easier than actually fixing the problem.

I'd sooner jab myself in the eye with a plastic spoon than host a site with GoDaddy, but maybe that's just me.  ;)

In many ways, isn't this sort of a "you get what you pay for" scenario?

GoDaddy is so cheap, which is why so many people use them. They don't really expect great customer service and security for a few bucks a month, do they?

I personally host with GoDaddy. I have had no problems with them. Always great customer service. But great article and thanks for the advice.

@Jill - you can get better customer service as cheap or cheaper elsewhere with less risk of getting hacked so no, Jill, that really doesn't apply.

GD's had issues for quite some time.  I've made my opinion knows many times on twitter and forums about them.  In the last 2 weeks I've fixed and pulled off 6 different sites from GD because of the hacks... pretty much all the same hack but little different variants at times.

And don't even get me started on their domain panels and their dns refresh times... bah...

Others have their issues too but i've had great success with hostgator hosting... namecheap is good too but I use them primarily for my registrar.... admin panels SOOO much easier to use... couple clicks and dns edits hit instantly.  Loves em.

But yes... well written article about GD

Im trying to help a few small clients but it seems that even the basics can't be done on GoDaddy that can be done on any other hosting platform....

Hmmm, my experiences with go daddy have been less than optimal and that is being nice. Let me tell you. I am serious. MANica Patrick is not my favorite person, but she is as much of a winner as go daddy is. Yo, go daddy, you are DRIVING me insane.