#1 – Get a free domain name when you buy hosting
#2 – Sign up for a website builder
#3 – Check for country-specific codes that offer free domain extensions
#4 – Pay for your domain with ads
#5 – Pay for your domain through referrals to new client’s domain

Whether you’re a small startup or an aspiring blogger, an effective domain name can drive people to your website.

It’s like a street address. Pick the right one, and traffic could be knocking on your door. Pick the wrong one and you’ll be virtually invisible.

So, how do you start without a warehouse full of equipment and a team of IT specialists hired? The good news is, you can get a free domain name in under a minute if you know where to look. The bad news is that, like everything else, you get what you pay for.

There are many websites that offer domain names for free, but not all of them come without strings attached. Most are legitimate web hosting companies that offer a free domain name if you purchase their service. Others actually just give you a subdomain, which is more like buying a franchise than starting your own business.

Before registering your domain name, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting and what compromises you might have to make to get it for free.

Below, we will show you the following:
1- Where and how you can get a free domain name?
2- Domain Name Basics
3- Free Domain Name Offer

5 Legal Ways to Get a Free Domain Name

#1 – Get a Free Domain Name with Your Web Hosting Service

If you’re starting an online business or starting a blog, the easiest and most effective way to get a free domain name is to buy a web hosting package.

Unless you have a private server big enough to handle a lot of traffic and the expertise to use it, you’ll eventually need to sign up for a web host, so this is a one-stop way to get started.

When your website goes down, web hosting companies provide data storage space, analysis tools, and technical support.

Some also offer website-building software.

More importantly, they provide your website’s bandwidth, which plays an important role in how traffic is directed to your pages.

Some web hosts, like Bluehost, offer a free domain name with no strings attached, but it offers a very limited service that won’t be enough for most businesses. The good thing is that it’s completely free and you completely own the domain name.

Other web hosts register domain names for free, but if you want to switch hosts or fail to renew on time, you will lose it.

A free domain name is a carrot that most web hosts use to get you interested in their services. They acquire clients and recoup the cost of the domain name for a small fee, while you get a solid domain name and the opportunity to see how your website works without investing too much money.

It’s a win-win if you know exactly what to expect.

#2 – Free Domain Name with Website Builder

If you’re not ready for web hosting, website builders offer another option for securing a free domain name, but it’s likely to be a subdomain under the provider’s name rather than a custom domain name that’s exclusive to you.

For example, if you log in with Weebly, your name will be www.yourname.weebly.com instead of just www.yourname.com.

Using a subdomain is an easy way to start a basic page, but you don’t own the name. As long as you have some level of service with the company, it’s like renting. A significant downside to using subdomains is that they look less professional than custom domains.

When customers buy from you, they like to imagine their purchase coming from a busy warehouse with a customer service team overseeing the health of their purchase. When your business name is appended to your domain provider’s name, it creates fear that they may never get what they ordered from them.

#3 – Free ccTLDs

For a completely free domain name, you can use services such as Dot. tk and Biz. nf. These companies allow you to register TLDs (top-level domains) absolutely free, as long as you use their country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). Dot. tk requires you to have a website; Biz. nf can also help you build and host one.

A top-level domain, also known as a suffix or domain extension, is the last part of a domain name—the letters immediately following the dot, such as .com, .net, and .edu. ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, usually assigns these suffixes according to the type of institution associated with the website. For example, .com is used for commercial websites, .gov is used for government agencies, and .org is used for non-commercial organizations such as charities.

Countries can also have top-level domain extensions, which is where Dot. tk and similar sites come in. They allow you to register a completely free domain name under their country or province. For Dot. tk, it is a small country located in the Tokelau Islands in the South Pacific. The website is run by the Government of Tokelau and its two private communications companies, with the aim of bringing visibility and revenue to the country. This is where free sometimes doesn’t really mean free.

catch

Dot.tk offers many potential domain extensions (suffixes), including .tk, .ml, .ga, and more. The problem is that unfamiliar suffixes make it harder for your site to rank well on search engines. When a potential customer searches for a site that sells “red dresses” and your site ends in .tk instead of .com, it could get buried in hundreds of pages of search results and you might never see the content you serve arrive.

While Dot. tk is one of the few sites where you can legally get a completely free domain name, it still comes with strings attached. First, you’ll need a website that’s up and running, which means you’ve probably paid for web hosting services with a company that can also register your domain name.

You’ll also find that obscure domain name options are free, but the most effective ones cost a fortune. Their rules also state that if your website doesn’t get enough traffic, you can lose your name.

Country code top-level domains can come in handy if you want to register an additional name to redirect traffic to your main website. It’s like building a highway system—the more roads travelers can take to get to your location, the more likely they’ll find you.

As the first choice for a major website, it’s unlikely to attract a lot of traffic via search engines, but you can use it to run a private blog if you have enough followers willing to find you by typing in your Dot.tk domain specifically.

#4 – Pay for your domain name with ads

Allowing companies to advertise on your website can earn you a free domain name. This usually comes in the form of banner ads used as clickbait. Revenue generated by users clicking on links to your advertiser’s website generates the revenue needed to offset the price of registering your domain name.

There are three aspects to this question. First, you have little control over the content of the ads on your site. If you run www.modestwear.com, shoppers probably won’t be impressed by banner ads for sexy lingerie. Second, clickbait ads tend to slow down your site, annoy viewers who may never return to your site, and finally, when a visitor clicks on your ad, they leave your content without you earning a point for the referral money.

#5 – Pay for your domain name by referring customers

Some registrars, like HostGator, offer free domain names in exchange for referrals. This usually means that they advertise themselves on your site. It’s a step up from pages full of clickbait, but it’s still an ad that you have no control over.

However, most landlords are athletic and their ads are unobtrusive and conveniently located.

Domain Name Basics – Everything You Need to Know (Quickly) About Domain Names

Your new domain name is your online identity. A domain name like yournicewebsite.com is a unique name for an IP address  (number), the actual numerical location on the Internet. Domain names replace IP addresses, making them easier to remember.

It’s like a registered trademark that no one else can use. A snappy name is key to driving traffic to your blog or business, and while you can get one for free, there are always pitfalls.

The person who registers your unique name (also known as the registrar) must pay for the privilege. In that sense, there really isn’t such a thing as a free domain name, but you can get one for free through various sources.

Before you begin, consider your needs for domain registration. If you’re starting a new business and want to build a unique brand or want your blog to become the next internet sensation, you’re going to need a custom domain name that you have full ownership and control of. The name should be professional and easy to find via search engines like Google.

Unsurprisingly, completely free options are rare at this level, but there are cheap domain name alternatives that can give you a bang for your buck. If you really want to be online forever, a cheap domain name might be worth more in the long run than a totally free one.

If you have no budget at all and need a domain name for temporary use, a free domain name is a great option if you don’t need bells and whistles. Here are five ways you can get a free domain name, and how the best offers stack up.

For more information on domain registrars, read our guide to the best domain registrars. We also have a detailed domain name registration guide.

Top Free Domain Name Deals Get You Online Now!

Domain name registration is a very simple process. Let’s take a look at all the best options for getting a free domain name. The free domain name offers below all come with one condition. You need to purchase hosting to get the free domain name or have an existing website pointing to the free domain name.

Bluehost

Bluehost is a comprehensive web hosting service that offers domain names with various extensions such as .com .org  .space  .tech and many more. While a domain name is free, it requires you to purchase one of Bluehost’s hosting plans.

For $2.95 per month, you get 50 GB of storage, unmetered bandwidth, and your own free custom domain name. The first year of domain name registration is free. Also included are optional subdomains, email accounts, and even hosted domains that can be used as placeholders for names you might want to use in the future. All of this can be managed from your own Bluehost control panel.

However, if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, Bluehost might not be it. They don’t have a website builder for you to use, but if you’re using the WordPress platform to build your website, it’s just as good, if not better, than using a website builder.

Bluehost’s hosting services and customer support are some of the best you can buy in a shared hosting space. If you have big ideas, it’s worth a look, even if it’s not completely free.

host crocodile

HostGator offers complete web hosting plans as well as a solid website builder with thousands of templates and a range of apps for most needs. They have a team of consultants who can help along the way, or they’ll design a website for you. Domain registration is simple and straightforward.

Like Bluehost, Hostgator requires you to purchase one of their hosting plans, specifically the “Ultimate Web Hosting Package”.

Packages that include at least one free domain name currently cost less than three dollars a month if you pay for a year upfront. The first year of domain name registration is free. For this, you also get a professional email address, a free SSL certificate, and they promise unlimited traffic.

For businesses that need more, they offer unlimited domain names and comprehensive business tools like analytics and SEO support. At $3 a month, it’s great value, but you’ll have to pay for two to three years in advance. HostGator offers a 45-day limited money-back guarantee, and you can pay with credit and debit cards. You can also pay for hosting using PayPal.

This is a great package for new bloggers or new business owners as it not only sets up your website for you but also gives you an email account to help promote your blog and establish a communication channel with the world. You can access all these features through an easy-to-use control panel. Hostgator is known for its great customer support, so if you run into trouble, they’re always here to help.

Dot. tk

Dot.tk is the only website that offers a completely free domain name and is powered by Freenom. The downside is that your domain extension or suffix won’t be top-tier, and if there’s no traffic, your site could be down in the short term. It’s a catch-22, but free is free. It’s easy to use and a good choice for a casual website or a novice blogger.

Wix

Wix, an all-in-one premium website builder, web host, and eCommerce platform, offers a free custom domain name (not a subdomain) as an added bonus to using its other services, but only for a year and for a fee Additional fees may apply.

Their cheapest plan costs $5 per month and includes 1 GB of bandwidth and 500 MB of storage, but no free domain and you have to display their ads on your website. For a free domain, you’ll pay $12 per month, but you’ll also get hosting that includes 2 GB of bandwidth, and 3 GB of storage, and runs ad-free.

What makes Wix stand out is its advanced website-building tools. Their options are user-friendly, customizable, and suitable for the widest range of applications. In a world where your business is your website, this is powerful stuff. The downside is that it’s a technical nightmare if you ever want to switch to another web host to manage the website you’ve built on Wix.

weakly

Weebly is similar to Wix in most ways and offers a wide range of services. The free package gives you a free subdomain, a free SSL certificate, and 500 MB of storage, but you must display Weebly ads. The next step is $8 per month which has to be paid annually, but you get unlimited storage and a free subdomain.

Overall, it represents better dollar value than some of the competition, but the website-building features aren’t as robust, and if you change hosts, your Weebly subdomain won’t follow suit.

Biz.nf

 

 

 

 

 

Biz. nf is another one-stop website builder and host, but its free domains are all ccTLDs. In this case, it’s the country of Norfolk Island. Their website is not as pretty as their competitors, and their website-building tools are limited but fully functional.

Your domain name will have a hard-to-find co. nf suffix, but it’s completely free, and upgrade packages cost a fraction of what other web hosts cost. You get all the best features and no ads for just a good cup of coffee.

That sounds like a good deal, but if you want to build a brand, you’re better off spending money on a well-known .com extension. It’s perfect for bloggers and product test drives.

some caveats

Every company presents its offer in the best possible light, but the terms and conditions are not always obvious. Here are some additional things to note in the fine print.

bandwidth limit

Bandwidth determines how much traffic your website can handle, if you exceed the package limit, your customers will not be able to load your pages. Most web hosts are clear about how much bandwidth they offer, but only in the fine print.

Sites such as Biz. nf offer unmetered bandwidth. This means you’ll never pay extra for high usage, but your usage may be limited. Beware of companies that reroute bandwidth to larger customers during periods of heavy traffic.

Renewal grace period

Most free domain offers are only good for a limited time and need to be renewed at regular intervals. A reputable registrar won’t let your domain expire without contacting you, but without a grace period, you could be charged more for renewal, or lose you entirely if you pay your bill a day late domain name.

Payment Terms and Guarantees

It usually takes months of payment in advance to get a free domain name and the lowest monthly service package prices. If you don’t like the service, you can get your money back, but only with a guarantee and usually within a strict time limit.

the bottom line

As you evaluate your options, look ahead and dig deeper for answers. You’ve worked long and hard to get to this point, and you should know exactly what you’re getting when you register your domain name. The lesson here is that a free domain name is a way anyone can get started without investing a dime, but it might not be the best option for everyone.