Free domain name services provide users with an affordable way to start and test online projects. However, users need to consider their limitations and potential problems when using free domain names. If the credibility, brand image, and long-term stability of your website are crucial to you, investing in a paid domain name may be more suitable. By making reasonable use of free domain name services, users can gain valuable experience and technical accumulation while reducing costs, laying the foundation for future expansion and upgrades.
Think of your domain name as the name of your website. It will be a business card that visitors use to find and browse your website, so it is important to create the best possible domain name. A good rule of thumb is to make the domain name short and clear so that people can easily remember it. The domain name should contain keywords related to your industry, or just the name of your business.
Once you have decided on a domain name, you need to search if the website name is available. The easiest way to do this is to search the Whois database of all registered domain names. The Whois database provides the current owner of the domain name, its availability, and expiration date. If your domain name is not available, you can contact the owner to buy it from them or come up with a new domain name.
- Use a free domain name registrar
Freenom claims to be the world’s first free domain name provider. Free domains work exactly like any other domain, with URL forwarding, free Freenom DNS service, or your own domain name service (DNS) or name servers. The domain extensions currently available for free registration are .TK/.ML/.GA/.CF/.GQ. Unlike paid sites, owners of Freenom free domains do not have transfer rights.
GetFreeDomain.Name and Dot TK also offer free domains with DNS support, so you can host them anywhere you like. It is not recommended to use free domain registrars for anything other than personal use. Free domains are not suitable for business websites due to the lack of security and email addresses, as well as the unprofessional look of the website.
- Get a free domain with a web hosting plan
Free domains and professional email addresses are often included with web hosting packages. If you plan to use WordPress to build your website, you may want to consider using Bluehost as your hosting service. Not only does Bluehost support WordPress, but the hosting service also includes free new domain registration for the customer’s first year.
Other services, such as Hostinger, HostGator, and InMotion Hosting, all offer similar first-year free domain registration as part of their hosting packages. Other features typically included in hosting plans include secure sockets layer (SSL), unlimited bandwidth, marketing tools, automatic backups, and security features. Hosting prices vary, but start as low as $2.99 per month for the first year. Learn more about the best web hosting services, including information on which services offer free domain names.
- Get a free domain name with an all-in-one website builder
In addition to hosting services, all-in-one website builders like Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace often offer users a free domain name for the first year. These website builders are popular because they allow users without any coding experience to build professional-looking websites using customizable templates with drag-and-drop functionality.
While they are generally more expensive than building a WordPress site through a hosting provider, they are much easier for the average user to navigate. Most of the popular website builders’ paid plans include a free domain name for 12 months. Unlike hosting plans, professional email addresses may not be available on all plans. For more information, check out our article on the website builders.
