I have been a long time customer, who regularly buys. I don't believe I ever complained and I honestly believed that they had the best customer service I had ever seen.
However, in the past year before covid and at the beginning of covid, I had a few changes of heart, and with the pandemic, everything changed. I no longer have clients or the time to build the website, which I thought I would. Now there is about 2+ years left on something that I have never used and I can't get reimbursed the balance due to the policy that states that you have to buy something else if you want your money back (so you do not get your money back) or be within 30 days.
But what if I don't need something else? What if I just want the balance, or the balance minus a cancellation fee?!?! They say it's simply not possible. You need to be within certain parameters, but even then, you don't actually get reimbursed you get instore credit! It kidda changed things if it's 700$ or 25$ you are trying to get back.
So my first recommendation would be to go elsewhere.
If you still decide to go with them, pay monthly even if it's a bit more expensive. At least until you are certain that you will use the service and then renew annually.
From a customer that now understands that GoDaddy will be there to take your money, but never be there to support your real goals (even if they say they do).