Ending your GoDaddy membership made easy

What is GoDaddy?

GoDaddy is one of the world's largest domain registrars and web hosting providers, serving millions of customers globally including a substantial UK customer base. Founded in 1997, the company has built its reputation on making it straightforward for individuals and businesses to establish an online presence, offering everything from domain registration to website builders, email hosting, and SSL certificates.

For UK customers, GoDaddy operates with a dedicated UK presence, accepting payments in pounds sterling and providing support tailored to British business needs. The platform appeals particularly to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking to launch websites without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Most importantly, GoDaddy has positioned itself as a one-stop shop where you can register your domain, host your website, and manage your online security all from a single dashboard.

Keep in mind that whilst GoDaddy makes signing up remarkably easy—often with attractive introductory offers—the cancellation process requires more attention to detail. Many customers find themselves continuing subscriptions longer than intended simply because they're unsure how to properly terminate their services. This is precisely why understanding the postal cancellation method is so valuable, as it creates an undeniable paper trail that protects your consumer rights.

The company manages various services including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS servers, dedicated servers, website security products, and professional email accounts. Each service type has its own renewal cycle and cancellation considerations, which we'll explore throughout this guide.

Plans, features and pricing

GoDaddy's UK pricing structure can be somewhat complex because the company frequently runs promotional campaigns offering significant discounts for first-term purchases, with substantially higher renewal rates. This pricing strategy is precisely why many subscribers seek to cancel—they're surprised by the renewal costs after their introductory period ends.

Domain registration pricing

Domain names typically start from around £0.99 to £2.99 for the first year for common extensions like .co.uk or .com, but renewal prices jump to approximately £9.99 to £14.99 annually. Premium domains cost considerably more, sometimes hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on their perceived value.

Web hosting plans

Additional services

Beyond hosting, GoDaddy offers website builders (starting from £9.99/month), professional email (from £3.99/month per mailbox), SSL certificates (£63.99/year), and website security packages (from £4.99/month). Additionally, the company provides online marketing tools, SEO services, and Microsoft 365 integration options.

First things first: always check what you're actually paying for. Many customers discover they're subscribed to multiple services they've forgotten about or no longer need. Domain privacy protection, for instance, adds an extra £7.99 per year per domain, and these charges accumulate quickly if you've registered multiple domains.

Most importantly, GoDaddy typically bills services on different renewal cycles. Your domain might renew in March whilst your hosting renews in September, making it easy to lose track of what you're spending annually. This is why reviewing your account thoroughly before cancellation is essential—you'll want to ensure you're cancelling everything you intend to cancel.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding GoDaddy's cancellation policy is absolutely critical before you begin the cancellation process. The company's terms differ significantly depending on which services you're cancelling, and getting this wrong can result in unexpected charges or loss of services you intended to keep.

Refund eligibility periods

GoDaddy operates on a tiered refund system that's time-sensitive. For most hosting products, you have 30 days from the purchase date to request a full refund. However—and this is where many people get caught out—this only applies to new purchases, not renewals. If your hosting plan automatically renews, you're typically not entitled to a refund even if you cancel immediately after renewal.

Domain registrations follow different rules entirely. You have just 5 days after registration to cancel a domain for a full refund, and this brief window makes postal cancellation challenging for domains specifically. Keep in mind that if you've used the domain for a website or email, even within those 5 days, GoDaddy may consider it "used" and refuse the refund.

Service-specific cancellation terms

Website builders and email hosting products generally follow the 30-day refund policy for initial purchases. SSL certificates are typically non-refundable once issued, as are most add-on services like SEO tools and marketing credits. This is precisely why you need to carefully identify which services you're cancelling and what refund, if any, you can expect.

Auto-renewal considerations

Next, understand that GoDaddy enables auto-renewal by default on virtually all services. The company sends renewal notices via email, but if you've changed email addresses or these notifications land in your spam folder, you might miss them entirely. Auto-renewals typically process 30 days before expiration for annual services, giving you a narrow window to cancel if you want to avoid the next billing cycle.

UK consumer rights

Under UK Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have 14 days to cancel most online purchases. However, digital content and services that you've started using may fall outside this protection. GoDaddy's 30-day policy for hosting actually exceeds the legal minimum, but the 5-day domain cancellation window is more restrictive. Most importantly, these consumer rights apply regardless of GoDaddy's own policies, which is why documenting your cancellation via post is so valuable—it establishes clear evidence of when you exercised your cancellation rights.

Notice periods for cancellation

Why people choose postal cancellation

Before diving into the how-to, let's address why postal cancellation remains the gold standard for subscription terminations, even in our digital age. First and foremost, a letter sent via Royal Mail Tracked or Recorded Delivery provides indisputable proof of when you requested cancellation. This matters enormously if disputes arise about billing or service continuation.

Many customers report frustration with online cancellation processes that seem deliberately complicated—hidden buttons, multiple confirmation screens, or "are you sure?" prompts designed to create cancellation friction. Additionally, some users find their online accounts locked or inaccessible, making digital cancellation impossible. A postal letter bypasses all these obstacles entirely.

Keep in mind that under UK law, companies must accept cancellation requests in writing. This means GoDaddy cannot refuse to process a properly formatted cancellation letter sent to their official address. The postal method also creates a formal record that's admissible as evidence should you need to dispute charges with your bank or credit card provider.

Most importantly, Recorded Delivery provides a signature upon receipt, confirming that GoDaddy actually received your cancellation request. This eliminates the "we never got your email" excuse that sometimes surfaces with digital cancellation attempts. The tracking number and signature record create an audit trail that protects you completely.

Cancelling by post: the complete guide

Right, let's walk through exactly how to cancel your GoDaddy services via post. This process requires attention to detail, but following these steps will ensure your cancellation is processed correctly and you have full documentation of your request.

Step one: gather your account information

Before writing anything, log into your GoDaddy account and compile the following details. You'll need your customer number (found in the account settings), the specific product names you're cancelling (not just "hosting" but the exact plan name), the associated domain names, and your account email address. Additionally, note down the renewal dates for each service—this helps establish urgency in your cancellation request.

Take screenshots of your current subscriptions and billing information. These serve as backup documentation if any disputes arise later. Most importantly, identify your cancellation deadline based on the refund windows discussed earlier. If you're within a refund period, state this explicitly in your letter.

Step two: prepare your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter needs to be clear, specific, and include all relevant details. Start with your full name and postal address at the top, followed by the date. Next, include your GoDaddy customer number prominently—this helps them locate your account quickly.

In the letter body, state clearly that you're requesting cancellation of specific services. List each product separately with its associated domain name if applicable. For example: "I am writing to cancel my Deluxe Hosting plan associated with example.co.uk" rather than vaguely requesting to "cancel my hosting."

Specify your desired cancellation date. If you're requesting immediate cancellation and a refund, state this explicitly: "I am within the 30-day refund period and request immediate cancellation with a full refund to my original payment method." If you're cancelling at the end of your current billing period, make this clear: "Please cancel these services at the end of my current billing cycle on [date] without renewal."

Request written confirmation of your cancellation. This is crucial—ask them to confirm via email or post that your services have been cancelled and provide details of any refund processing. Include your email address and phone number for their response.

Keep your tone professional and factual. There's no need to explain why you're cancelling unless you're requesting an exception to standard policies. Sign the letter by hand—this adds authenticity and makes it a legally binding document.

Step three: addressing your letter correctly

This is absolutely critical—you must send your cancellation to GoDaddy's official UK correspondence address. Sending it to the wrong location will delay processing or result in your letter being ignored entirely. Address your envelope to:

• GoDaddy
• 5th Floor
• The Shipping Building
• Old Vinyl Factory
• 252-254 Blyth Road
• Hayes
• Middlesex
• UB3 1HA
• United Kingdom

Write the address clearly and legibly. If your handwriting isn't excellent, print a label instead. Double-check every line before sealing the envelope—a misaddressed letter means starting the entire process again.

Step four: send via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery

Never send a cancellation letter by standard post. Always use Royal Mail Recorded Signed For service (formerly called Recorded Delivery). This costs approximately £2.70 on top of standard postage but provides tracking and proof of delivery with a signature.

Alternatively, use Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, which costs around £7.50 but guarantees next-day delivery and provides compensation if delivery fails. For cancellations with tight deadlines, this premium service offers peace of mind.

When posting, get a receipt from the Post Office showing your tracking number. Keep this receipt safely—it's your proof of posting. Additionally, photograph your sealed envelope showing the address before posting. This creates additional evidence that you sent the letter to the correct location.

Step five: track delivery and follow up

Use your tracking number to monitor delivery via the Royal Mail website. Once the letter shows as delivered with a signature, note the delivery date and time. Take a screenshot of the tracking information showing successful delivery—this is crucial evidence.

Most importantly, GoDaddy should acknowledge your cancellation within 5-7 business days of receiving your letter. If you haven't received confirmation within 10 business days, follow up. You can reference your tracked delivery proof and request immediate confirmation of cancellation processing.

Using services like Postclic

For those who find postal cancellation time-consuming or confusing, services like Postclic streamline the entire process. Postclic allows you to create your cancellation letter digitally, then handles the printing, enveloping, and posting via tracked delivery on your behalf. You receive digital proof of posting and delivery tracking without visiting a Post Office.

The service is particularly valuable if you're currently abroad, have mobility limitations, or simply want to ensure professional formatting and guaranteed tracked delivery. Additionally, Postclic maintains a record of your cancellation letter, providing long-term documentation if you need to reference it months or years later.

Common mistakes to avoid

First, don't send multiple cancellation letters. This creates confusion and can delay processing. Send one comprehensive letter covering all services you want to cancel.

Next, never assume silence means acceptance. If you don't receive confirmation, your cancellation may not have been processed. Always follow up until you receive explicit written confirmation.

Additionally, don't cancel your payment method before confirming cancellation is complete. If GoDaddy attempts to charge a cancelled card, it may flag your account and complicate matters. Wait until you've received cancellation confirmation and any applicable refund before updating payment details.

Keep in mind that cancelling hosting doesn't automatically cancel associated domains, and vice versa. If you want to cancel everything, list each service explicitly in your letter. Many customers accidentally maintain domain registrations whilst cancelling hosting, resulting in ongoing charges they didn't anticipate.

Tips from former members

Having processed countless GoDaddy cancellations, here are insider tips that will save you hassle and ensure smooth termination of your services.

Download everything before cancelling

This cannot be stressed enough—once your hosting is cancelled, accessing your website files, databases, and emails becomes extremely difficult or impossible. Before sending your cancellation letter, download complete backups of your website files via FTP, export your databases, and save copies of all emails if you're using GoDaddy email hosting. Additionally, save any important account documentation, invoices, and service records.

Transfer domains rather than cancelling

If you're leaving GoDaddy but want to keep your domain names, transfer them to a new registrar before cancelling your account. Domain transfers typically take 5-7 days and require an authorization code from GoDaddy. Most importantly, ensure domains aren't locked and are more than 60 days past their last transfer or registration before initiating transfer.

Check for bundled services

Many GoDaddy customers discover they're paying for services bundled with their main product. Website security, backups, SSL certificates, and email might be separate line items on your bill. Review your complete billing history for the past year to identify everything you're subscribed to, then ensure your cancellation letter addresses each service individually.

Time your cancellation strategically

If you're outside the refund window, there's often no benefit to cancelling immediately. Your services will continue until the end of your current billing period regardless of when you cancel. However, cancelling well before renewal prevents any possibility of an auto-renewal charge. Former members recommend cancelling at least 45 days before renewal to ensure your letter is processed before the renewal attempt.

Document everything obsessively

Keep copies of your cancellation letter, posting receipt, tracking information, delivery confirmation, and any correspondence with GoDaddy. Create a dedicated folder—digital or physical—containing all cancellation documentation. If billing disputes arise months later, this documentation becomes invaluable. Additionally, keep records for at least 12 months after cancellation, as some billing issues surface long after you think everything's resolved.

Watch for final charges

Even after cancellation confirmation, monitor your bank statements for 2-3 months. Some customers report unexpected charges appearing weeks after confirmed cancellation. If this happens, your documented postal cancellation provides the evidence needed to dispute charges with both GoDaddy and your bank.

Consider the renewal calendar

If you have multiple GoDaddy services with different renewal dates, you might need to send multiple cancellation letters timed appropriately for each service. Alternatively, cancel everything simultaneously but specify different end dates for each service. Former members suggest creating a simple spreadsheet listing each service, its renewal date, and your desired cancellation date to avoid confusion.

Prepare for retention attempts

After receiving your cancellation letter, GoDaddy may contact you with retention offers—discounted renewal rates, free additional services, or other incentives to stay. Decide in advance whether you're open to such offers or committed to cancelling regardless. Having a firm decision prevents being swayed by persuasive retention tactics if you genuinely want to leave.

Most importantly, trust the postal process. It may feel old-fashioned compared to clicking a cancellation button, but the legal protections and documentation it provides are unmatched. Former members consistently report that whilst postal cancellation requires more initial effort, it eliminates the uncertainty and frustration often associated with digital cancellation methods. The peace of mind from having tracked, documented proof of your cancellation request is worth the small additional effort involved.