Is Global Domains International (GDI) a scam or can you really make some serious money promoting the program? Frankly, it depends who you ask and their “agenda” for giving you their answer. Because not everything about you read about the “global domains internation scam” is based on objective reality.
Global Domains International Scam Review
Global Domains International (GDI) was founded in early 2000 to offer .WS domain names and web site hosting for $10 a month. Domain registrations are promoted by GDI distributors who earn a monthly commission on all personal sales. There is also a 5 level network marketing MLM compensation plan that offers active distributors the potential to build a team and earn an additional passive residual income based on cumulative team sales.
Looking for a OER International review? See our notes on Valued Opinions – which is another “Get Paid for Surveys” program.
So far so good. GDI has a proven track record and it is certainly one of the most popular and well-known business opportunities online today.
But the questions begs:
Can the average person, without any serious internet marketing skills or training, actually sign up and start making a significant income promoting .ws domains names and web site hosting accounts?
In my experience, the answer is no. For a couple of reasons. And while I wouldn’t hold up a sign reading “global domains international inc scam” – I adid join, got busy promoting the program, make a few sales, sponsored a few distributors and then quit. Why?
3 Reasons People may Scream Global Domains International Scam
First, studies indicate most people who join a MLM opportunity need an additional $300. An extra $300 a month could save your home, help pay off debt, or even put a child through private school.
The challenge is GDI only pays one dollar per sale. So to reach this magical $300 per month income requires a minimum of 300 sales in a very competive market. For example, Godaddy sells top-tier domains for $10 a year and hosting for $4.95 a month.
Second, earning only a dollar per month per sale doesn’t allow for any type of advertising budget. This means the only viable option to grow a GDI business is to through organic search methods which takes time and expertise.
Finally, perhaps the biggest challenge of all is the only real way to make a significant income is to recruit other people to become active distributors so you have the potential of earning a commission independent of your time and effort. Which is a good deal if you can pull it off. But, based on the promise of earning only one dollar per month, leaving no room for an advertising budget, it’s no wonder many people think of GDI as the global domains international scam of the century.
Overall GDI seems to be over-priced in today’s competitive market with low earnings potential which is why I quit and now make thousands of dollars per month by offering tools, training and an proven attraction marketing system to help struggling GDI distributors actually make a profit today.
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{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes! GDI upline never called me , I went on the webinar and they cut me off because I ask why I never recieved any calls from my upline!
Thanks for sharing, Sherrell. This happens sometimes. People start a business and life happens or whatever and they get distracted and may even quit. Sometimes they may never even get started. So the TRICK is to take 100% responsibility for your own success (or lack of success) and keep moving UPLINE or CROSS LINE to get the help you are looking for.
As a top 20 income earner with my company (not GDI) with a team of over 10,000 people – I cannot know who needs help and when they need help. So it is up to each and every one of them to CALL ME or call my upline or even call the company if they need help. Your personal sponsor may quit… your personal sponsor may not know anything more than you do… you personal sponsor may be too busy to work with you personally. Doesn’t matter. YOU are ultimately responsible for your own success and if you want it bad enough – just blow past you sponsor and get it done. Don’t wait to MAYBE get the help you need. Just go get it. Leaders ALWAYS take charge.
Though I agree with the writer’s opinions but the “scam” thing is probably inappropriate. GDI can be called a scam if it proposes anything that it is not.
The “scam” headline is used only because it is searched so much by people and it gets attention. Most “scam” articles you see really don’t (or shouldn’t) actually call the product, service or opportunity a scam (unless it really is) – it’s more to get attention and drive traffic. In the case of GDI, it is not a scam. It is a viable company with a viable product and many, many people are making money promoting. For me, not so much.
Thank you for that! you just saved me alot of time and frustration.
Again, thank you.
You’re welcome, Juanita. Thank you for doing your due diligence first. Awesome.
Hey Rob, my names Elisha and I just been watching you 5 day boot camp (5 stars btw), and recently joined the MSLP. I was setting up my program and had a question…
I remember you saying something in one of your videos about not out sourcing, and to create my own website with them. I wanted to know if the website you were using for your primary business was set up through them, because I like yours and wanted to know where you got your website layout from, and if it was hard to set up or not. I would like to create a website like yours for my primary business.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Elisha
Thank you for the kind kudos, Elisha and I’m thrilled you are now part of our MLSP team. I just sent you a note via email as I’m not real clear which site you are referring to.
Yea its true, Global Domains International is a reputable company and defentily a great beginner business for newbies. However like most MLM companies, it really depends on your willingness to take action and not wait for others to take action for you. It goes to say, “How much money do you make”?
Well the answer to that question, is, “How much money do you want to make”?
Whether its GDI or MLSP, or carbon copy, doesn’t matter, Leaders are the ones who take action and action breeds results.
And to correct the stated income opportunity in your article, you can make money right away. They pay $100 per every five referrals through there bonus pool, so to say, if you make 15 referrals a month, you can make $300 bucks a month. They also pay by paypal, so u can reuse that commission money towards facebook advertising which also accepts paypal.
And if you lock up a GEM, that one person can multiply your downline by the thousands like many top affiliates have for others.
-Gene
P.S. Good Article
Thank you, Gene for clarifying the comp plan. That extra $100 can mean the difference for many people. And you are absolutely correct – the real question, regardless of company, is “What will you do with it?” Bottom line – with every legitimate company there are dozens, even hundreds of people making quiet fortunes. So it’s not a matter of “if it works” it’s a matter of “will you work it?” Many blessings, my friend.
hi there
i signed up but stopped just before i put work in to it thanks somuch for the heads up can you reffer me to some good options,just starting out had a work injury and out the door you go what compo means is fight hard you mite get it.hopfully you can give me some leads
thanks
owen
Hey Owen – jump up and sign up for my free 5-Day Attraction Marketing Bootcamp. It’s five days, five hours – but you’ll earn exactly what you need to know to promote anything online… including GDI and make a nice income along the way.
hi guys just want some advice my friends and i are planning to join GDI after reading your responses im confused, should we join or is there a better program on the net to make a steady income.
thanks
Mohammed – to join GDI or not to join. Personally, I think the comp plan pays too little as I’ve found it is just a hard to promote something that pays $1 a month as something that pays $100 per month. Second, how… exactly… do you intend to market and promote WHATEVER you decide to join? Do you have a plan? Without a full blown marketing plan… you won’t make any money in any program. You have to understand MARKETING and go from there. I suggest you go through my entire 5-day marketing bootcamp first to get an idea what marketing online entails then jump on over here and let me know you are serious. Then we’ll chat.
The questions here are like asking “where do I get a guaranteed deal to make money from home”. The truth is it takes a LOT more work to succeed from a home based business than it does working for someone else. The difference is that you are working for yourself and won’t be laid off. Studies show that only about 15% of Americans have the temperament and “stick-to-it-iveness” to succeed, working for themselves.
Hi Rob,
I have several websites (12) purchased through Home Website Center that have the web sites already set up. I listed one of them for you. Guess what I have had these sites for more than a year and I have still to make 1 cent. They have a customer support line and email but guess what again? No response. I was so excited about these web sites already set up I was sure I could make money from them. So before I finally give up on yet another failed venture do you have any suggestions on what I can do myself? I am planning to check out your 5 day boot camp, so besides that is there anything else you would suggest?
Tony – based on the one link you gave me… the site presents well but it is missing critical “on page” optimization. Meta tags, for example. Second, the keyword it is going after “First Class Recipes” only gets about 400 searches per month. Even if you ranked #1 on google, you are looking at getting MAYBE 120 visits per month, and MAYBE one or two sales from those 100 visits. Second, these sites are build on a sub-domain which is a bit tougher to rank. I noticed a couple of them ranking first page on google. The challenge is all of these sites are exactly the same – MEANING DUPLICATE CONTENT – and the search engines will only rank one or two of them because of that. The only thing you can do is start driving backlinks to each of the sites. This MIGHT help. The duplicate content, sub-domains, and lack of good on-page optimization is pretty much a set up for “no results” no matter what you do.
Thanks but is there any organization that will suit someone without prior experience in internet marketing or online jobs
Titilayo – if you looking to start using the internet to make extra money, you’ll just have to start the learning curve. Pick a program and just go for it. Learn as you go. It’s the only way…
While i agree GDI is a slow builder, and new members must take action to learn how to market their GDI business, there are ways to build into profit quickly. I have been on the leaderboards nearly each week for 13 months; and placed brand new to online sales members there. They worked very hard to grow free traffic, then ramp up to paid methods. One can earn not only on the GDI $1 (or $14 if a premium member) by selling the tools needed to get traffic and sales..so your income CAN get into profit sooner than one may think. At the end of the day, people must be able to DULICATE easily when brand new. GDI at $10/month and the 7 day free trial makes for faster sales for the newbie, if they have the right system, support, and low cost traffic. Hope this helps! stan
The author catches your attention with the title making you think that GDI is a scam yet I do not see how GDI is deceiving people. The real point the author is trying to make is that GDI is overpriced. I will give him that. There is a lot of webhosting out there that is much cheaper. Also, in regards to the affiliate program, if you look at it more for what it is, which is a network marketing program (as opposed to”affiliate program”) then you can see that it’s actually a really good deal as far as network marketing models are concerned. It’s a very cheap investment with a high potential return on your investment. One of my friends tried talking me into a network marketing system where I would have to promote some drink… It would cost me nearly $150 per MONTH! I can pay less than that for a whole YEAR with GDI and I feel I can make A LOT more money with GDI. I find this article to be deceitful. Shame on the author.
No, Charles – my point was not that GDI is overpriced. Their domains ARE overpriced, but that wasn’t my point. My point, based on my own experience, is that it is just as difficult to market a product/service/opportunity that PAYS a nice, hefty monthly commission as one that pays a tiny, $1 per month. With that in mind, then I would much rather promote a program that paid me $10 per month commission than one that pays $1 per month. It’s a matter of economy and scale.
Rob,
I was considering joining GDI as it looked promising. I was wondering whether it is possible to make decent money using strictly their lists of email ‘business seekers’ (which they say can provide) and if these lists are included free in the $10 monthly cost of the program.
Thanks.
Let me ask you this… how many emails to you get everyday pitching the next big $$$ deal? How many do you open? Have many have you purchased? Second thought… if you really could simply send out emails to build a GDI business, why would the company GIVE YOU the email list for you to mail and then have to pay you a commission? Why not send the emails themselves?
Hey Rob,
Great article, I actually joined GDI a few years ago when I was a complete newbie in this industry and my up line told me to join safelist, ViralURL, etc
I set out folders on my computer of what to do on each and every day and I hammered those safelist, traffic exchanges and all of that stuff that really doesn’t work.
The only thing that created results for me and allowed me to sign up around 10 people was ViralURL…
BUT after all of the slaving away I had a monthly commission of $10! I was absolutely over the moon!!! (JOKING)
Needless to say I was not happy with GDI, I know it wasn’t the company’s fault because they do have a business model in place where you can make money but the problem is that you really do need an army of people to actually make any serious money.
You make $15 per month for every person that you sign up in MLSP and the system far exceeds what GDI could ever produce, to top it off it teaches you the A to Z of online marketing…
My advice to anyone who is reading this and still considering joining GDI: Watch Rob’s bootcamp and sign up with him in MLSP!
He is a leader who absolutely knows exactly what he is talking about and if you follow him closely and take action I don’t see any reason why you can’t duplicate his success…
Thanks Rob!
Billee Brady
Hello,
I had a downline after the 7 day free trial…I just wanna ask if I can still earn commissions with GDI when my account is past due and I will eventually pay the $10…
Hoping for your response.
Don’t have an answer for you, Michael – best would be to contact your sponsor. In most cases any “volume” get washed away if you are not active. Also, while you might have had a downline… unless you PERSONALLY sponsored people in the business, chances are did not qualify to receive a check anyway. Again, because I have not personally been involved with GDI for many, many years – best would be to contact your enroller.
Rob, you are right that GDI is not a scam. Your description of why it doesn’t work for most people ($1 per affiliate) is accurate. However, there are other programs out there (one I know of because I belong to it is Rolution) that does pay more in commissions and other bonuses, but that doesn’t make a lower paying program a scam.
Black, thanks for taking the time to share. I think a lot of times “scam” gets tossed around by people who simply did not make it work for themselves and really are looking for someone or something to blame.
Thank you to those who are realizing GDI for what it is – a solid, less risky model. Definitely basic enough for a newb but also beneficial for the experienced. The thing is that most less-risky concepts tend to yield less since they’re not as volatile. Almost like comparing stocks to US bonds for all the investors out there
It takes a lot to manage a team and have them work together towards a common goal which is why GDI places the value they do on mass network growth. If you can make it happen then it will really pay off but if not then it won’t but the reality is if it were so easy then everyone would be able to do it and it wouldn’t be as valuable.
I have heard of people not making as much as they planned on with GDI (that’s a whole nother topic all together) but I’ve never heard of anyone being scammed by GDI.
Hi All, GDI is definitely not a scam, I´ve been with GDI for some time with a monthly income, the problem is when people don´t have the knowledge to promote the business doesn’t get referrals and with this they don´t get the expected income, that´s when they scream scam, the business works but you have to make it work.
Regards
Luis Villasna
You are absolutely spot on, Luis. Most programs are not scams. People scream scam because we often do not want to take responsibility for our own inaction and laziness.
Much of the “scam” talk come from people that just want to sign up, do nothing, and start making money. What people don’t realize is that it actually takes work to be successful, such as life. Finding the right help takes some practice and time. Trial and error of other people can lead new sign ons in the right direction in little to no time.
So true, Jim. Most trash talk comes from people who got in and did nothing. Instead of taking responsibility for their non-action… there is always someone or something else to blame.
I am with GDI and read all the comments here and the Program, Service, or Product affords people with a Home Based Business and this is why it is a great great Program for only $10 per month.
First, Go Daddy and all the rest are not Network Marketed so there is No Home Based Business, nor weekly bonuses, nor having your Account totally FREE, or earning Residual Income and even more important enjoying all of the Home Based Business TAX DEDUCTIONS which allows Uncle Sam to PAY YOU TO RUN A HOME BASED BUSINESS.
For those who slave to be an employee W-2 in the Highest Taxed Category in America., having a Part time HBB is a tremedous financial asset and allows additional income streams and some are totally TAX FREE-just contact me and I lwill prove it through the Course I took.
No products to buy, sell, no garage qualified and you don’t even need to use your website in order to earn money.
I live in Texas and am looking for some quality business partners to team up with me and our biggest market are W-2 Employees.
Skip – you’re absolutely right. EVERYBODY should have a home business because even if you are not profitable, you can still pocket a nice profit simply by writing off some of the household expenses you are already paying for with after-tax dollars. It’s been estimated the average W-2 employee can save $1,000 to $3,000 PER YEAR or more simply by having a home business. That’s like giving yourself a $250 per month raise.
I would like to note right off the bat I was skeptical about GDI from the moment I first heard of them several years ago. As I already knew the two letter domain base .ws stands for Western Somoa just like Canada has .ca domains etc. It is GDI’s pitch that .ws stands for web site or world site. This is absolutely not true and I don’t trust any company that falsely advertises especially for their own gain. Below is a quote from the Wikipedia entry for .ws -
“.ws is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Samoa. It is administered by SamoaNIC, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Samoa.
The .ws domain is an abbreviation for “Western Samoa”, which was the nation’s official name in the 1970s when two-letter country codes were standardized. While there are no geographic restrictions on registration of most second-level .ws domains, .ORG.WS, .GOV.WS, and .EDU.WS registration is restricted.
Prior to March 14, 2008, .WS domains were not allowed to be transferred from one domain registrar to another.
.ws has been marketed as a domain hack, with the .ws purportedly standing for “World Site” or “Web site”, providing a “global” internet presence to registrants. .ws coincidentally supports all internationalized domain names.
Website.ws
As it happened, even though the IANA said that the registry was http://www.website.ws, it was not the original, real, registry. SamoaNIC is.”
I partly agree with the writer’s opinions. However, if we are attached to a certain business, we also have a responsibility in that business and by playing our role well could bring success for us and to the whole business.
You are absolutely right, Ahmed. If anyone is having success in a business, YOU can have success as well if you are willing to pay the price in terms of time, effort and investment.
thanks for the info…..still not sure if i will join GDI or not.
Great article Rob. Knowing more about the “small” $1. commission now has me understanding that there Must Be better,
more profitable opportunities out there than GDI. I belong to several social networks and have a “friends” base of about 5,000. Perhaps after joining and studying MLSP, I can not only learn how to network market better, but may find a “more profitable” opportunity while there. …(have been searching for 16 years)- I communicate with many marketers on peoplestring.com and know a little about network marketing, but I now know that “Higher profit margins” is very important……………….I just need to find the right fit. ………thanks again Rob
The BEST thing we’ve found recently is an affiliate program called Empower Network. When it launched back in November, we sent an email to a list of about 8,000 and did 30k our first 45 days. Check it out here:
http://make.cashbychoice.com
Rob
Hi,
I joined ws domains about six years ago and I liked it. I tried building my own page and didnt get too far and tried to get a few affiliates but did not understand how to do anything on my own. I was working and raising kids and tried to put as much time as possible into it nights and weekends, but I did not get much help from my upline, because I think they thought I was a waste of time and needed too much instruction to get off to a good start. I want the tools and the knowledge of how to : and then from there I am a very dedicated and hard working individual. I all of a sudden lost my password and could not get into my GDI account and my email did not work. I had to move and got sidetracked from investigating what ever happened to my email and ws account. If I could find a home business it would be great because I am a teacher and can not find a job for the last three months of looking. I was interested in affiliate sites and I recently read about ASA a salt water with a patented process that seems to be a fountain of youth type product. I used to like Melalueka products but ended up just having a bill each month to buy my own products. I like affiliates because I am NOT a sales person at all. I am just honest and hardworking, but not into the networking and going to pep rally meetings and sales promotion hype. What businesses are out there on line that might help me make it through this terrible stretch of unemployment?
Hey Kathryn – thank you for stepping out and sharing your story.
Unfortunately it is a story I hear a lot – where people join a program, get very little support, life happens and they get distracted – not back to the drawing board.
For MOST people just getting started who are serious about building a profitable business fast – I would suggest Empower Network.
Hi Rob,
I have been recently ill and need to work from home. But, have been working from home my whole life, but most employers are hesitant to hire me due to health issues. I have been evaluating GDI, so found this article. Can you contact me or send a response as to the differences. It seems the the payback from GDI is lesser, but the investment lower. I am low in the cash department, just trying to make ends meet. So, as a person of character, hope for an honest response, as I have been through a lot.
Best,
Jenn
Jenn – as I shared in this article, I’ve found over the years it is just as easy to sell something and earn a $1 per month as it is to sell something and earn $100 per month. The time and effort necessary to get a sale is exactly the same so why limit earnings potential by offering low profit deals. The COST TO JOIN should not be a consideration because that is usually a one-time event or may require a small monthly fee to stay active. The criteria you need to pay attention to (regardless of what you join) is HOW WILL YOU PROMOTE IT? Will you blog? Do you have a blog? Will you do paid ads? Do you have a budget, etc? Because it does not matter what you sell – until you sell you won’t make a dime.
For most “beginners” I recommend Empower Network as it gives you a marketing platform to start with AND offers high-profit potential.
Hi rob .What is a laget online bussness that i can earn good money on the internet , an has a A rating or better with the B.B.B buru .that is Global on line bussness that is not a scam in any way shape or form , thanks Glenn.
Couldn’t tell you, Glenn because I rarely check the BBB.org. The program I recommend most beginners start with is Empower Network.
Thanks for all your comments about GDI,truly to say GDI is a very great business the power is in duplication.you guy must understand GDI system very well.
THANKS
ROBERT.
The power of all network marketing and multi-tiered affiliate marketing programs lies in the fact you can create LEVERAGE by signing up other business builder and promoters as well. One of the best-kept money making secrets online is to create leverage AND earn 100% commissions. See http://fast.cashbychoice.com
Thanks Rob. I just join GDI as an affiliate and I have read all comments above and I feel a bit scared. However, I really want to try something out and will be content so long as I am not cheated as we are dealing with a virtual world and you really do not know whom you are dealing with. Can I continue to do business with GDI and also try out what you will recommend…may be Empower Network. Please email me for more information.
A lot of people have made a lot of money with GDI – the potential is there and it is all up to you what you do with it.
Hey Eric,
Nothing to be scared of and you can trust GDI because they’ve been around over 10 years, it will continue to be around for the next 10, 20 years until there’s no web connection. The only thing that fails you is how you want your mind to think how you’re going to succeed or fail. What you think is what you get!…..
So, would you recommend that I sign up for GDI?? I need to make some money online. I tried ezmoneymethod, but so far I haven’t made 1 cent with that. I even bought some solo ads to try to promote the business, but to no avail. I want something that isn’t going to cost as much as EmpowerNetwork ($25 a month) to try. I have all the time in the world right now because I was laid off in September, but unfortunately not all the money in the world to invest in marketing a business. I will do whatever it takes to succeed, just need to know what it takes. I’ve even posted a blog site and paid a company to drive traffic to the site, but to no avail. What can I do to succeed?? HELP !!!
The operative word, Mike is TRY. If you just “try” stuff without making a commitment to making it work, you’ll never have success. Building a business online is not fast or easy. There is a learning curve and your results COMPOUND over time as you get better at marketing and as you build a list. GDI pays pennies per sign up monthly. Why would you do that when something like http://fast.cashbychoice.com pays 100% commissions ranging from $25 monthly all the way to $4725 per sale? For doing the same “promotional” work. We have team training for EN. Nothing for GDI.
Thanks Rob for a very informative article. I am a independent agent for GDI since 9/30/2012. Considering myself a ‘newbie’ I have tried and tried to attract prospects to this business, but haven’t made a penny as of yet. True, I’ve put OUT a considerable amount, whereas I’m struggling to make ends meet, but not giving up because I’ve researched GDI and I see SOLID growth potential. Though the growth may be slow it doesn’t to ME because as long as it’s going in the right direction, that’s what counts.
I’m really in sync with your viewpoint here, and I will be considering EP. I’ve joined GDI, Siforp, ViralURL, EuropeanSafelists, AWeber, Vistaprint, TrafficSwarm and others. Affiliate partners can certainly boost your prime business, while at the same time provide tools for your online use. So, use these additional implements whereas they are there for your unlimited use.
Thanks for sharing, Tim. Yeah, we teach how to build a business and not just a downline – meaning we strive to create multiple streams of income at the same time versus just promoting one main deal because it is simply more profitable. I have to stick by my observation, however – it is the SAME WORK to promote something like Empower Network that pays $25 to $100 a month or more as it is to promote something that pays less than that. So why not promote both?
Thanks, Gregory for sharing your passion about the business. Building a profitable business does take a lot of work and most people are up to task. Unfortunate, but true.