Web.com Group Inc, a U.S. provider of internet domain name registration that also helps businesses build websites, is in talks with private equity firms after receiving takeover approaches, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The buyout interest in Web.com comes as its sector has become increasingly crowded, with companies such as Wix.com Ltd, Weebly Inc and Squarespace seeking to gain market share from established players such as GoDaddy Inc.

Web.com has engaged in early-stage talks with private equity firms in response to approaches about a potential leveraged buyout, the sources said. The company is not actively soliciting offers and there is no certainty that any deal will occur, the sources added.

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