Migrate from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365: A Quick Review

When choosing a Microsoft 365 provider, many small businesses using GoDaddy’s web hosting services might seem inclined to obtain their version of Microsoft 365. However, there are several differences between GoDaddy and getting Microsoft 365 directly from a CSP (Cloud Solution Partner) that can create several problems down the line.

GoDaddy 365 might be holding your business back

As mentioned in Ryantech’s Godaddy and Microsoft 365 comparison, GoDaddy is not a business productivity company, but a domain hosting service and Microsoft 365 is not something they specialize in. At first glance GoDaddy’s simplicity might be appealing to small business owners, but with a federated setup and a simplified admin interface, you might be missing a lot of the administrative control that comes with Microsoft 365:

Limited Functionality: No access to advanced features like shared mailboxes, security groups, or full Teams capabilities.

Security Risks: GoDaddy holds the keys to your tenant, limiting your control over security and compliance settings.

Lack of Management: You can’t manage user licenses, permissions, or security policies directly.
Stagnant Growth: Your business is ready for more, but your IT infrastructure isn’t.

Comparing Benefits: GoDaddy vs Microsoft 365 (From a CSP)

GoDaddy Services

First year pricing at $107.88 per year, starting the second year at $191.88.
Designed only for small businesses with no growth intention.
As we mention, your GoDaddy experience is limited, so as your company and employee base grow, you may not be able to host them all, since it withholds a limited space of only 300 user plans.
No admin credential to customize your Microsoft 365 experience, since GoDaddy uses a limited version.

Microsoft 365 CSP

Microsoft 365 Business Standard pricing remains $150 per year, no cost increases*
From day one of your deployment, you will enjoy the full benefits and features of your Microsoft 365 license.
As your company grows, you might increase your Microsoft 365 license to its Enterprise plan, with unlimited users.
Use it as you need, let your IT team customize your Microsoft 365 account according to your goals and needs. Manage your own licenses with the cloud store portal.

*No cost increases scheduled by Microsoft

Microsoft 365 Consulting Services

From planning and deployment to optimization and support, our Microsoft 365 consulting services help you maximize your investment and work more efficiently

How do I migrate from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365?

While migrating to Microsoft 365 might be a good option, using a process called defederation could have more benefits for your company. These terms are often used together, but it’s critical to understand the distinction. A defederation from GoDaddy to Microsoft 365 is the core process that frees you from their control.

Feature	Defederation	Migration
Primary Goal	Break the administrative link with GoDaddy to gain full control of your tenant.	Move data (email, files, calendars, etc.) from one platform to another.
What it Changes	The way your Microsoft 365 environment is managed and the features you can access.	The location where your data is stored.
Data Impact	User accounts, emails, and files typically remain in place. Data is not deleted.	Data is copied from a source to a new destination, sometimes in a new tenant.
Control	Grants you full administrative access to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.	A prerequisite for moving your domain to a new, fully managed tenant.
Key Benefit	Unlocks advanced security, compliance, and collaboration tools.	Ensures all your valuable data is preserved and accessible in your new environment.

Why Microsoft 365?

Obtaining Microsoft 365 from a CSP (like our sister brand the 365 Cloud Store) is your better option compared to GoDaddy’s 365 services. Taking back control and shaping your IT according to your organization’s needs with Microsoft 365 will allow you to:

Manage & Enhance Security: Gain direct management of your M365 environment, enabling advanced security & compliance features
Boost Productivity & Collaboration: Utilize Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for seamless communication and organized workflows.
Future-Proof Your Business: Create a scalable & cost-effective IT infrastructure that grows with your company, free from third-party limitations.

Whether you choose to migrate or defederate, Team Venti will help you plan a seamless transition through our certified technicians. We’ll start with an audit of your current GoDaddy environment and business needs, providing you with post-transition support to help you leverage the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools.