Here is a difficult situation. As a web developer, I buy quite a bit from GoDaddy.com and recommend them to most of my clients for domain purchasing, transferring and sometimes hosting.
I've always hated their advertising style and advertising over-drive on their website. But... the service has been by far better than any other domain registrars I've worked with over the years and their support is always top-notch. Their back-end works very well and is very responsive.
When I saw them on the boycott list I decided I'd write their PR Dept this:
"I would like to bring to your attention that due to Arizona's recent anti-immigrant legislation many blog sites are asking people to boycott Arizona businesses. Since I am a web developer and long-time customer of GoDaddy (and have sent many new customers your way) I noticed that GoDaddy appeared on the boycott list. I would very much prefer to remain a GoDaddy customer... your service is unmatchable in the domain arena.
I am curious as to if Bob Parsons will be making a public statement on behalf of his company and his customers asking the State of Arizona to repeal this horrendous piece of legislation. What would truly be amazing is if Bob posts a video blog addressing this very issue with his customer base. That would truly show courage.
Thank you for your time and consideration."
This the response I received from the Office of the President (Bob Parsons):
"Office of the President Response
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for contacting GoDaddy.com. Your correspondence has been directed to the Office of the President.
We appreciate you taking the time to contact our office to share your opinion about the recent State of Arizona legislature. Although we wish your opinion in this matter did not affect your relationship with Go Daddy, please know your feedback is highly valued. At GoDaddy.com, we strongly believe that the freedom to express one's opinions is one of the defining factors that makes the United States a great nation.
Please also know that Go Daddy has multiple locations in several states and countries abroad. Furthermore, understand that Go Daddy did not create nor influence the state legislature in question. As such, we hope you will re-evaluate your final determination about your relationship with GoDaddy.com.
Should there be any other matters requiring the attention of our office, please do not hesitate to bring them to our attention.
Kindest Regards,
The Office of the President"
I further researched the company at Wikipedia and found that Bob Parsons and GoDaddy have donated very generously to many worthy Arizona-based organizations that deal with domestic violence, child abuse, disabled children, teenage homelessness, Parkinson's research, breast cancer, diabetes, animal shelters, and the Arizona Humane Society Pet Telethon.
Hat's off to them for their generosity to these causes!
But then more research at OpenSecrets.org revealed GoDaddy's President, Bob Parsons, as a serious Republican donor. SEE HERE Since the 2008 elections Mr. Parsons and GoDaddy have donated $108,200 to solely Republican candidates, including Mitch McConnell, Ted Stevens, John McCain, and the RNC, among others.
It is a difficult situation to boycott a company that has clearly supported many good causes, so much bad politics, yet runs a very customer-centric successful business that I do loads of business with, and pleasantly I might add.
It is a conundrum that I am throwing out there for others to consider. I don't suspect Bob Parsons would make a statement on his vlog with political ties like these, but at least it does sound like they are getting some pressure.
Bottom line... there's always two sides (or more) to a story.
UPDATE: THANKS EVERYONE!
So much revealing info here. I will begin the migration of my domains to another service and will discontinue directing new clients to GoDaddy (thanks subtropolis for the moniker.com rec) You all confirmed that Bob Parsons is so far off from my way of being in the world that I can't support his company any longer, no matter how great his employees have been.