How to Get a Free Domain Name That’s Actually Free

Most people go this route when trying to get a free domain name: sign up and pay for a web hosting service package that offers a domain name for free for the first year or two. 

But the domain isn’t actually free if you go this route, is it?

If you want a truly free domain name, you’ll need to go through a free domain registrar. However, there are caveats. 

Get A Free Domain Name Through A Free Domain Registrar

The goal is simple, get a domain name for free. The only real way to do this is to go through a free domain registrar, such as Dot tk, Freenom, or Biz.nf. Each offers you a way to find and register a domain name for free. 

Dot Tk’s tagline is “Free domains for all,” exactly what you’re looking for. You simply type in the domain name you want to see if it’s available with a non-cost extension. 

Freenom seems to be owned by the same company as Dot Tk, or they work in conjunction with each other. But it offers the same straightforward service. Type in your domain to see if it’s available, choose one of the non-cost extensions and follow the steps to register the domain. 

Biz.nf can provide a little more than a free domain name. You also have access to a free web hosting plan, which is the service that stores all the files that make up your website on a server, making it accessible to people with an internet connection.

Free domain names are enticing and maybe even necessary when you don’t have a lot of money to throw at a website. But the problem is they come with serious limitations. 

Why A Free Domain Name Might Not Be Worthwhile

Yes, the domain name is truly free. But what are you giving up? Let’s start with the sought-after extensions. The extension refers to what comes after the domain name and period. So, in www.dog.com, the extension is .com. 

.Com, .net, and .org are what people recognize the most. However, these extensions aren’t available with free domain registrars. If you use Dot tk, for example, your extension will be .tk. If you use Freenom, you’ll choose from one of five, non-cost extensions: .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq. Biz.nf uses the c1.biz extension. 

These extensions can appear sketchy and unprofessional to visitors because they aren’t extensions most businesses and people use. In addition, the free nature of these extensions has led to them being used by malicious sites and people facilitating phishing and other scams, which can deter some users from using them.

Aside from the extensions, free domain registrars usually don’t come with anything to help you actually build the website or store its components. In other words, you don’t get a website builder or web host. 

So, you’ll probably end up paying for both. And if that’s the case, you might as well go the route of signing up and paying for a web hosting plan to get your domain name for free. You’ll get a domain name with a traditional extension and tools to help you build a standout website. 

The lack of security is another issue with free domain registrars. You don’t get many of the security features that protect visitors and your site from cybersecurity threats, like an SSL certificate, network monitoring, and malware scans. 

If getting a free domain name through a free domain registrar will get you to just start, do it. But we recommend paying for a secure domain. 

4 Steps to Get a Free Domain Name from a Web Host

It’s also possible to get a free domain from a reputable web hosting company. The catch is that the domain will only be free for the first year and you need to purchase a web hosting plan at the same time. After that, you’ll pay the regular annual fee.

We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of signing up with Hostinger for your free domain here. Even if you want to sign up with another web host, the steps will be similar. You’ll be getting a free domain either way. 

#1 — Head Over to Hostinger.com

Go to www.hostinger.com in your browser. 

Once the official website opens, click on Domain Checker under the Domain tab on the top menu bar.

#2 — Check the Availability of Your Desired Domain Name

In the search bar, enter your desired domain name and choose Search. If the domain name is available, you’ll see the option to Add to Cart. Select it. 

If the domain name isn’t available, you’ll have to look for other alternatives. You can use free website name generators like Domain Wheel for inspiration. This tool will give you tons of domain name ideas after you type in your niche keyword. 

Don’t panic if your first domain name idea is taken. With so many websites online, it happens to the best of us!

#3 — Choose the Type of Hosting

You’ll see the option to Select Hosting Plan just below the Add to Cart option. Click on it. 

Hostinger offers tons of hosting options. Shared hosting is going to be the best option for almost everyone.

#4 — Select Your Web Hosting Plan and Complete the Remaining Steps

Hostinger has three shared hosting plans: Single Shared Hosting, Premium Shared Hosting, and Business Shared Hosting. However, you only get a free domain with the last two options. 

You’ll need the Premium Shared Hosting if you also want the free domain.

Once you select which plan you want, Hostinger’s checkout page will come up. There, you can opt for a shorter term than four years, just keep in mind it’ll cost more per month. You should see a message confirming that your domain is free for the first year:

Select your term, then fill in the email address you plan to use to log in and select a payment method.

Finally, click Submit Secure Payment.

Congrats! You now have a Hostinger web hosting account and a free domain.

Most Web Hosts Have Free Domains for the First Year

You’ll need to decide which web hosting plan is best for you. Our top pick for the best web hosting service for most people is Hostinger. It’s easy to set up, gives you a ton of storage, and offers some of the lowest prices out there. But there are plenty of other options.

Bluehost is affordable, user-friendly, and extremely customizable. Their basic plan starts at $1.99/mo for a 12-month term. You get a free domain for the first year, a free SSL certificate, and access to a website builder for free. Best part? There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if things don’t work out. 

HostGator is perfect for small business websites ready to scale. They have affordable, flexible hosting plans that are easy to upgrade when you’re ready. HostGator is a little more expensive than the other two, with plans starting at $2.99/mo for the first year. But you do get a free domain for the first year, a free SSL certificate, and WordPress installation.

A Free Subdomain is an Option Too 

A subdomain is a subsection of your main domain name. So, in “www.site.example.com, “site” is the subdomain of the main domain “example.com.” You can actually use subdomains as standalone websites, allowing you to create a site for free. 

Some website builders like Wix offer free subdomains. And blogging platforms like Blogger offer them too. This option helps you achieve your goal of getting a free domain name that’s actually free. Plus, you have access to tools that help you build a website or blogging page. 

However, the biggest issue with subdomains is that they don’t convey the same level of professionalism as a standalone domain name. www.myblog.com looks and feels a lot more professional than www.myblog.wix.com. 

You might also have to deal with ads on your site. And there are limitations when it comes to the tools they give you to build your site. You’ll likely have to upgrade to a paid plan to build a really good website you’ll keep long-term. 

Can I Get A Domain Name For Free Forever?

If you decide to go with a free domain registrar, and the platform keeps it that way forever, then the answer is yes. Those domain names are entirely free and will work as long as the platform does. 

The same thing goes for subdomains. If those work for you and the platform you get your subdomain on keeps them free, you can have it forever. 

If you go with the option to get a free domain name through a website builder or web hosting service, you won’t get the domain name for free forever. The options we discussed here only offer the free domain for a year or two, then you can renew your domain name at their regular monthly price. 

You might be able to negotiate a deal with the platform you use if you develop a good relationship with them. They’re more likely to give deals and discounts to their best customers to keep them. But this is definitely not guaranteed and may not even be an option. Nothing wrong with trying, though. 

Explore all of your options thoroughly to see which avenue to a free domain name fits your budget and needs.