How to get a domain name for free: A step-by-step guide

If you’re starting a side hustle, a small business, or a personal project (like a recipe blog), you might be interested in low-cost website options—especially when it comes to domain names and hosting. 

In this guide, we’re exploring how to get a domain name for free—if it’s really possible, what the trade-offs are, and whether it’s actually the right move for your project.

While some offers are too good to be true and paid domains certainly have advantages, free domains offer a great starting point for site builders experimenting with new ideas or entrepreneurs starting ventures on tight budgets. 

 

Notes about domain pricing

Domain pricing is relatively straightforward:

1. New registrations: If you buy a new domain that’s not currently registered, you pay a one‑time registration fee plus an annual renewal fee (set by your registrar).
2. Aftermarket (existing) domains: If you purchase an existing domain from its current owner (often at a premium), you’ll pay the owner’s price, cover any transfer fees to your registrar, and then pay the annual renewal fee thereafter.
3. Additional services: After purchasing a domain, you can pay for additional services like web hosting for your website, email hosting (for a custom email domain), or professional link in bio services.

When you pay for a domain (and potentially these additional services), you’re paying for professionalism, branding control, and ownership of your domain assets—all valuable assets, especially for businesses.

 

Understanding free domains

You can get a domain name for free, but there are important trade-offs to understand before choosing this route.

How free domains work

There are generally three options when it comes to free domains:

• Free from a domain registrar – Some registrars offer domain names at no cost, typically with lesser-known extensions like .tk, .ml, or .cf. These can be helpful for personal projects or testing new ideas. Just remember that standard annual renewal fees will apply after the initial free term.
• Free with a hosting plan – Plenty of hosting providers include a free domain name when you purchase a hosting package. This usually covers the first year of domain registration and gives you more flexibility to choose a recognizable TLD like .com. Keep in mind, though: while the domain might be “free,” it’s tied to a paid service, and renewal fees will apply after the initial term.
• Free through website builders – Products like Wix or WordPress sometimes bundle a free domain name with their website plans. This can include either a custom domain or a free subdomain, depending on the level of service. A subdomain (like yourname.wordpress.com) is helpful for beginners, but upgrading to a custom domain is typically the better move if you’re aiming for a more individualized or distinguished option.

Pros of using free domain names

Free domains are highly useful in some cases. Consider a free domain if:

• You’re learning the basics of website setup – Free domain names are a practical choice for beginners who want to explore how domain registration, DNS settings, and website tools work before committing to a paid setup.
• You’re building a personal use site – If your site is meant for hobbies, portfolios, blogs, or other non-commercial projects, a free domain can be a great fit. It gives you a unique web presence without the upfront cost—ideal for sharing your work, ideas, or interests with others.

Cons of using free domain names

Free domain names offer a great starting point, especially for personal projects, learners, or anyone testing out a new idea. But depending on your goals, there may be reasons to consider a paid domain as your site grows.

Here are a few key differences to keep in mind: (Consumer Search, 2024)

• Limited TLD variety – Free domain providers often offer a smaller selection of top-level domains (like .tk, .ml, or .cf). Paid domain registrars typically offer hundreds of TLD options, giving you more flexibility to align your domain name with your brand, industry, or niche.
• Fewer bundled services – Free domains may not come with extras like SSL certificates, DNS management tools, or added security features. With paid domains, these are often included or easier to add, making setup more streamlined and secure. 
• Brand visibility and consistency – If you’re planning to grow a business, a custom domain name can help reinforce your brand across platforms—from your website to email to social media. Free domains work well for many use cases, but a paid domain can offer more control and long-term consistency as your online presence expands.

 

Where to get a free domain name

As we’ve confirmed above, it is possible to get a free domain—whether through a domain registrar, bundled with a hosting plan, or as part of a website builder platform. (Forbes, 2025) 

Free domain with website builders

Some website builders—like Wix, WordPress, Weebly, and Shopify—include a free domain name when you build a site using their platform. This is a quick way to get online, especially if you’re not ready to invest in a custom domain just yet.

While this option offers a quick setup and often includes free hosting, there are a few trade-offs to keep in mind:

• Subdomain only – You’ll often receive a subdomain like “BlogName.BlogPlatform.com” instead of a custom address.
• Limited customization – Subdomains may come with character limits and may not allow you to choose a descriptive extension like .blog or .shop, which can restrict how specific or branded your domain feels.

These limitations can impact branding flexibility as your site grows.

Free domain with hosting plans

When you purchase website hosting services, some providers offer a domain for free as part of their sales package. 

For platforms that offer this, use their domain name search, choose a hosting package, and pay the subscription to claim your domain name.

A few providers that offer this bundle include:

• Bluehost
• Hostinger
• Squarespace

This approach has one key advantage: You’ll have full ownership and control over your domain name. 

However, there are two potential drawbacks:

• They’re not really free – Since you’ll be paying for web hosting, your domain technically isn’t free—it’s just part of the cost of hosting (a paid service). 
• Offers are usually temporary – While hosting providers often offer free domains when you buy hosting, these offers are typically temporary. If a host includes a free domain for a year, for instance, you’ll have to pay to renew your domain at the end of your twelve-month trial period.

Free domain from domain registrars

There are currently two domain registrars offering 100% free domains:

• Freenom – Offers free domain names, but there’s a catch. Freenom only offers limited top-level domains like .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq.
• InfinityFree – Primarily offers free hosting. However, you can either use one of their free subdomain options (like yourname.great-site.net) or host a domain that you’ve already purchased from a registrar like Name.com.

In some of these cases, you can get a free, legitimate domain as opposed to a subdomain.

 

Additional tips for choosing a good free domain

If you want to claim a free domain, where should you start? Let’s explore some options.

Choose a high-quality provider

Of the free domain options we’ve discussed, we recommend:

• WordPress – A popular website-building platform with ample customization potential and the ability to create a free web address. However, expect most free domain options to include their site name. The format usually looks like “BrandName.Wordpress.com.” 
• Wix – A powerful site-building platform featuring customizable templates, built-in ecommerce capabilities, and more. Their free domains, like those offered by WordPress, include their brand name: “BrandName.WixSite.com.” 
• Name.com via GitHub Student Developer Pack –  If you’re a student with GitHub’s Student Developer Pack, you qualify for one free year of domain registration at Name.com (choose from TLDs like  .codes, .systems, .software, .engineer, and .live). 

Keep your domain name short and memorable

As always, we recommend choosing a domain name that’s:

• Short – Short domains are easy to remember—a big factor for earning site visitors, especially for businesses. 
• Memorable – In addition to brevity, make sure your domain has a memorable feature: the name of your flagship product, a play on words, or a common phrase.
• Simple – Avoid numbers, hyphens, and intentional misspellings to avoid confusion (especially if you plan to rely on word of mouth for marketing).

 

Check social media availability

If you plan to use a free domain for business, make sure your domain (or a key part of it) is available across social media platforms. 

Aligning assets like your domain name, your email address, and your social media handles is key to building customer trust and a professional look across platforms. 

Consider long-term branding elements

If you’re looking to keep your domain for the long haul (after your trial period ends, for instance), think about how your branding could change over time. 

Do your best to:

• Choose a name you like – Changing a domain name can be difficult once your business is well-established. Take your time thinking of a name—you’ll likely keep it for a long time. 
• Align your domain name with other assets – A playful or quirky domain can stand out, but if your brand is more serious—or still building recognition—it may be harder for people to remember or pronounce. Choose a name that fits your brand’s visual identity, tone, and the way you’ll talk about it in person and online.
• Incorporate your domain name in other assets – Add your domain name to your business cards, social media bios, and your other physical and digital brand materials. 

 

Upgrading later

As your business grows, you may choose to buy a domain later to take advantage of perks like:

• Site-building tools – Some domain registrars, like Name.com, offer built-in tools for building a website for your new domain. In fact, we’ve partnered with Wix to connect site builders, entrepreneurs, and businesses with high-quality, user-friendly design options. 
• Professional email solutions – Many domain registrars and hosting platforms offer premium email hosting with a custom email address that matches your website URL. If you’re building a site for a small business, this is a great way to project professionalism as you grow your client base. 
• Security features – Automatic backups, password protection, SSL certificates, and other security options are often included with websites connected to paid domains. 

How do you upgrade to a paid domain? You have two options:

• Change your domain name – If you’re using a free subdomain (like yourname.wordpress.com), it may make the most sense to upgrade to a custom domain. This will strengthen your brand presence and give you the chance to incorporate a custom email address into your business. All you have to do is use a domain name search tool, find a domain that works for your brand, and pay to register it.
• Transfer your domain – If you secure a free domain (like yourname.com) elsewhere, you can transfer it to Name.com for a one‑time fee. Transfers include an additional year of registration, after which standard annual renewal fees apply.

 

SEO considerations

Worried about search engine optimization (SEO) with a free domain? Whether you have a free or paid domain (or even a subdomain), SEO principles are the same.

Search engines rank pages based on: (Growth Machine, 2023)

• How long has the page been on the web
• The authority of the content on the page
• Prevalence and relevance of on-page keywords
• Backlinks from other sites

So, even if you take the free domain route, you can still use SEO best practices to increase your ranking on the search engine results page.

 

Explore top level domain features with Name.com

While free domains are the right choice for some use cases (and you can sometimes get them as part of sales or service bundles), paid domains offer peak customization options, branding potential, security, and so much more. 

 

If you’re looking for a new domain or want to find a new home for your existing domains, turn to Name.com. We offer best-in-class products that help you establish a winning online presence, including website solutions, email solutions, website hosting, and so much more. We can also help you with a domain transfer if you’re looking to transition your existing portfolio to an all-in-one platform. 

 

Claim your custom domain now to get started.

 

 

Sources: 

Forbes. How to Get a Free Domain Name: 3 Legit Ways in 2025. https://www.consumersearch.com/technology/understanding-limitations-free-domains-web-hosting

Consumer Search. Understanding the Limitations of Free Domains in Web Hosting. https://www.consumersearch.com/technology/understanding-limitations-free-domains-web-hosting

Growth Machine. Subdomain vs. Domain: What’s Best for SEO?. https://www.growthmachine.com/blog/subdomain-vs-domain