Launching a new business? Your wallet probably feels the heat. From LLC filings to hiring staff, stocking inventory, and securing a space—costs add up fast.
When it comes to your website, it’s tempting to cut corners—starting with your domain name. After all, free domain options are out there, and saving a few bucks sounds appealing. But before you jump on a no-cost URL, it’s worth asking: What’s the catch? Will it limit your branding, credibility, or future growth? A free domain might seem like a great deal upfront, but in the long run, it could come with hidden trade-offs.
Let’s break down free domain names and what you need to know before you claim one.
What is domain name registration?
Domain name registration is the process of securing a domain name—a unique web address (e.g., example.com) that identifies a website on the internet. You can’t “own” a domain name in the traditional sense. You lease it for a specific period of time, typically measured in years. To lease a domain name, you register with a domain registrar. Popular options include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Squarespace (which purchased Google Domains).
If you use your domain name to sell goods online, you might register it via Shopify, which provides a suite of ecommerce tools to small business owners, including an easy domain name registration process, a website builder, and web hosting plans.
Benefits of registering a domain name
Why do so many people register website domain names for their business? It comes down to six core benefits:
1. Professionalism. A reputable domain name gives you a professional and credible appearance in the digital world. It signals to customers you’re a legitimate business, not just a hobbyist or side project, and helps build trust from the first click.
2. Brand building. Establishing a new domain name grants you a unique online identity for your business or personal brand. It allows you to create a memorable web address that reinforces your brand name, making it easier for customers to recognize, recall, and engage with you.
3. Website accessibility. Because a domain name is essentially your website’s address, having one allows visitors to easily find and access your website. A custom domain ensures your site is easy to type, share, and search for, making it simple for customers to reach you without confusion.
4. Email addresses. You can use your domain name to create professional email addresses. Many businesses pay for this because they’d rather have their own domain at the end of their email address, as opposed to a public product like Gmail.
5. Expanded online presence. A domain purchase helps you establish a strong online presence and build brand recognition. This may especially be true for premium domains, which may turn up higher in search engine rankings.
6. Marketing and SEO. Getting, and utilizing, your desired domain name can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts by making your website easier to find and rank higher in search results. A relevant, keyword-rich domain name helps search engines understand what your site is about, improving visibility.
How to get a domain name for free
In most cases, standard domain names cost around $12 per year, but if you’re operating on the smallest of budgets, there are ways to get a free domain name. There are two main ways to go about doing this. One is to use a free domain registrar. The other is to look for web hosting services that offer free website domains as part of a package deal. Both options help you save money on a domain name, but there are notable differences between these options.
Free domain registrars
Most domain registrars charge you to register a domain name. However, a select few—including Freenom and Dot TK—do offer free domain registration. There’s a catch to using these services. They do not offer the top-level domains (TLDs) most commonly found online (e.g., .com, .net, .org, .io). Instead, they offer less common extensions: .cf, .ga, .gq .ml, and .tk. Many entrepreneurs want a more common TLD for their online business. But if you don’t mind having one of these unorthodox TLDs as your domain extension, you can use this option.
Package deals
If you’re more particular about your desired domain name, you don’t have to settle for an odd TLD. Many hosting providers offer free domain registration with their paid hosting packages. They often include free website-building software as well. For clarity, you will have to pay for hosting, but that will always be the case if you want a truly customizable website. Since you’re paying no matter what, you can add value by getting a free custom domain as part of the deal.
The advantage of this option is that you can select your ideal domain name—often your business name followed by the right domain extension for your corporate structure (e.g., .com for a for-profit business, .org for a nonprofit). You may even be able to bring in your existing domain name and renew its registration for free with your new hosting provider.
How to set up a free domain
No matter how you get your free domain, you’ll need to take a few steps to register and secure it:
1. Complete the registration process. Your domain registrar will walk you through steps like providing contact details and payment information. Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation, and your domain will officially be yours—ready to connect to your website and start building your online presence.
2. Enable domain privacy protection. If you don’t want your personal details published in a public WHOIS database, you can enable privacy settings with your registrar. When you do this, the registrar’s contact information in the public WHOIS lookup will replace your personal information (name, street address, phone number, email, etc.). This helps protect you from spam, telemarketing calls, and potential identity theft.
3. Configure your DNS and name servers (if necessary). If you’re using a separate domain that you didn’t register via your hosting service, update the DNS settings to connect it to your web hosting account. Set the name servers provided by your hosting company to ensure your domain directs visitors to your website. If your web hosting service is providing your domain name, you don’t need to worry about this step.
4. Install an SSL certificate. Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates. Install and activate your SSL via your hosting dashboard. This will enable HTTPS, a more secure version of the old HTTP protocol. This helps secure your website and build trust with site visitors.
5. Configure your account for a website builder. Follow the hosting provider’s instructions to set up your account and install any necessary software. For instance, if you want a WordPress website, you’ll need to install WordPress software within your hosting account.
6. Create custom email addresses. Take advantage of your domain name by creating email addresses that use it. A custom domain name in your email conveys a degree of professionalism you may not be able to achieve with a standard Gmail or Microsoft Outlook address.
7. Set up auto-renewal. A standard domain registration expires one year after purchase, at which point you could lose the right to use it. Avoid this by setting up auto-renewal with your domain registrar. This lets you hold onto your domain for as long as you want, provided you pay each renewal cycle.
Considerations before you get a free domain name
While a free domain name may seem like a great way to start your online journey, it’s important to consider long-term scalability, costs, and limitations before committing.
One limitation of free domain names is the lack of full ownership and flexibility. Unlike standard domains regulated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), free domains may have restrictions on customization, monetization, and transferability. Many free providers reserve the right to reclaim or suspend domains, especially if they notice inactivity or policy violations. This can disrupt your website and force you to start over.
There’s also the issue of free domain extensions like .tk, .ml, .ga are often seen as less trustworthy, impacting brand recognition and credibility. When users type a domain into the search bar, they’re likely expecting a standard TLD like .com or .net. Consider whether an odd TLD—especially one that’s widely known to be free—is the best choice for your overall brand recognition and online image.
Many website builders offer free subdomains, but these include the name of the hosting company in the domain name. Shopify, for instance, offers a free subdomain name (e.g. example.myshopify.com) as part of the platform’s all-in-one suite of ecommerce services. This includes a website builder, payment processing, email marketing, and all the tools you need to build your brand online. It includes tools to check domain availability or even to generate a memorable domain name from scratch—and if you decide to proceed from there, you can upgrade to your own domain.
How to get a domain name for free FAQ
Can you get a domain for free?
You can get a domain for free by using a free domain registrar, which will issue domain names ending in .cf, .ga, .gq .ml, and .tk. You may also be able to register a domain for free as part of a web hosting subscription.
How do I permanently buy a domain name?
In most cases you cannot permanently buy a domain name to own in the traditional sense. You lease domain names for a fixed period of time, usually measured in years. But if you auto-renew your lease and keep an active payment method on file with your registrar, you can hold onto a domain for as long as you like.
Which free domain is best?
There is no free domain that is objectively better than others. A truly free domain will end in the extension .cf, .ga, .gq .ml, and .tk. You can choose which is the best fit for your website as you envision it.
Are free domain names safe?
Free domain names can be risky because they often come with limited control, lower security, and the potential for repossession. They may be seen as less trustworthy by search engines and users. It’s hard to find an example of a large-scale business that operates using a free domain name.
