Vault’s Viewpoint on Domain Names
- For many, the easiest way to get a free domain name is as an add-on to your web or email hosting service.
- Most free domain offers are good only for the first year, so it’s important to plan ahead to avoid surprise expenses.
- Some sites promise free domain names, but those sites don’t offer extensions like .com, .net or .org. They offer longer, branded options. As a result, your clients may have a hard time finding you.
How to Get a Domain Name for Free Via Your Web Hosting Service
If you’re looking for a free domain name, you may not have to look far. Many web hosting services offer free domains as part of their packages.
Here are a few that currently offer a free domain name with your purchase.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular web hosting provider, and is most commonly known for its robust WordPress partnership. If you plan to build your website on WordPress, it’s a great place to start.
Each new account comes with a free domain name for one year. If you’re transferring a domain, Bluehost will host that for that first year as well. .
Web hosting plans with Bluehost start at $1.95 per month. This includes Bluehost’s migration tool, which moves your site from WordPress to Bluehost at no charge.
HostGator
HostGator is another popular hosting provider that offers a free domain. At the time of this publication, users will get a domain name of choice free for the first year when you sign up for one of their hosting packages.
HostGator’s domains come with easy management, domain locking and more, making them an ideal choice for your rapidly-growing business.
HostGator hosting packages start at $3.75 a month and include basic email functionality, chat support and malware scanning. It also comes with WordPress pre-installed to save you time on your launch.
Get a Free Domain Name with Website Builders
You can also check with your website builder if you’re looking for a free domain name to go with your website. Although your domain name won’t be free forever, some website builders do offer a free domain name during the early months.
Here are some popular website builders that offer free domain names:
Wix
Wix features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop website builder that’s packed with customized templates. You can get a free domain, but your assigned URL will be accountname.wixsite.com/siteaddress. To get a top-level domain (i.e., yoursite.com), you’ll need to upgrade to a Wix premium plan.
The good news is that all of Wix’s plans come with a free domain name of your choice. However, the name will only be free for the first year. After the first year, you’ll be charged for your domain, and you’ll have to pay the amount every year to keep your domain name active.
Squarespace
Not to be outdone, Squarespace also offers a one-year free domain with signup. However, you’ll need to be on an annual billing plan to qualify. Current members on monthly plans can also take advantage of the offer—and if you’re moving a domain over, you can simply request your free year when you register it with the site.
Like Wix, you’ll need to pay for an entire year in advance to get the free domain. Annual plans start at $16 per month, which is $192 for the first year. Once your 12 months are up, you’ll pay $20-$70 a month as a domain hosting fee.
Hostinger
Hostinger is both a website builder and a host. Currently, if you sign up for their website builder and pay for a year in advance, you’ll get a free domain for 12 months. Best of all, you don’t have to register the domain right away. You’ll have up to 12 months to register it and start using it.
The website builder isn’t bad itself. You’ll get 150 design templates, a drag-and-drop builder and artificial intelligence tools built in. They often have frequent service sales, so we recommend checking the website to see which discounts are active.
Get a Free Domain with Email Providers
If you’re looking into how to get a domain name for free, you might be surprised to find that your email provider likely has some options.
Here are a few email hosting providers that offer a free domain name with your account.
Ionos
If you’re in the market for a business email provider, check out Ionos. The provider offers free domain names with its email accounts, which include advanced email security and virus protection, storage of up to 50 gigabytes (GB) per mailbox and easy migration of emails from other servers.
Ionos is fairly affordable. Plans start at only $1 a month. Considering you can buy a domain for less than $12 a year, it might not be the best deal. However, if ads and spam are making the free services less enjoyable, it might be a convenient way for you to curb the inconveniences and get a free domain name as you do.
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail is priced comparably to Ionos. The Zoho Mail basic plan is only $1 a month, and includes domain hosting. You’ll simply choose your domain name at signup and start sending emails.
What sets Zoho Mail apart is its easy-to-use domain management tools. You can manage multiple domains you own from the same account, and route incoming emails to whatever email account you choose. Zoho Mail also comes with collaboration tools, task management support and calendars, making it a top contender to consider if you’re looking for free domain names.
Mail.com
With Mail.com, it’s easy to select your account name. Simply choose a domain from the drop-down box on the Mail.com signup page and enter the username to go with it. Domain options include @myself.com, @dr.com, @techie.com, @consultant.com and @workmail.com.
Get a Free Domain Name with a Registrar
If you don’t wish to have a .com or .org address, you can opt for a free domain with a registrar.Before choosing one of these options, however, we recommend that you check to ensure you’ll get the protection you need with whatever option you choose, as every option has differing levels of security.
Here are a couple of registrars offering free domain names.
Getfreedomain.name
You won’t get a .com or .org domain with a domain registrar, but if you’re open to unusual naming, Getfreedomain.name could be an option to consider. Your name will end in a suffix like .us or .to, and will come with full DNS support.
Dot TK
Dot TK specializes in issuing .tk domains at no charge. There’s a caveat, though—users have reported issues with their .tk domains suddenly being revoked—and one free domain site, Freenom, has put a pause on issuing domains due to issues with them. Consider those risks before choosing a .tk domain.
Alternatives to Free Domain Names
If none of the options for how to get a free domain name appeals to you, an affordable domain name might be the answer. Feel free to shop around, pricing different providers. You can find domain names for $5-$25 through sites like Namecheap and GoDaddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Would I Need Multiple Domains?
You can buy as many domains as you want, and how you use them is up to you. You might choose to use additional domains to set up landing pages specific to marketing campaigns, or use a separate domain for a side venture.
Why Are Domain Names Not Free?
When you buy a domain name, you’re paying for the hosting provider to route traffic to your website. This takes server resources, including security tools and professionals to manage it all. Your domain fee helps pay for those costs.
What Do I Choose for My Free Domain Name?
Once you’ve tracked down a free domain name resource, you’ll need to come up with a name. You’ll want this as clear and concise as possible to increase your site’s searchability. If your preferred name is taken, you can try adding dashes between your chosen terms or placing your industry at the end of your business name.
