Public registration = buyer trust
Domains with visible, legitimate registrant info convert better. Buyers assume private registration means the seller has something to hide. If you're investing with your real name and company, showing it builds credibility — the same trust signal buyers check for before paying — and closes deals 10-15% faster.
Privacy protects you from spam
If your WHOIS is public, expect unsolicited offers, phishing emails, and harassment. Privacy registration ($10-20/year) shields you from this noise. Trade-off: slightly lower buyer confidence.
Resale implications
A domain with private registration may sell for 5-10% less. Buyers conducting due diligence view it as friction. If you're holding for 2+ years and plan to sell, public registration during the sale process helps close faster.
GDPR changed the game
GDPR requires privacy protection for EU registrants. If your registrant is EU-based and you publish it, you violate privacy law. Use privacy registration or register under a business entity (LLC, GmbH, etc.) to stay compliant.
Strategic approach
Private while you hold, public when you list for sale. Many registrars let you toggle this cheaply. Or use a business address (your company) as the registrant instead of your personal details — legitimate, public, and professional.