So you’re ready to build a website—maybe it’s a personal blog, a business site, an online portfolio, or even a full-fledged online store. You’ve got the idea. You’re pumped. But there’s one question that keeps popping up:
“Can I get a free domain name for my website?”
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? This guide will walk you through exactly how to get a free domain name, the pros and cons, and the smartest way to do it—without compromising your brand or online presence.
Table of Contents
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Domain Name, Anyway?
Before we start handing out freebies, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people type in their browser to visit your site—for example, www.yourbrand.com.
Think of it like your digital street address. Without it, no one can find you online.
Why People Look for a Free Domain Name
Let’s be real—starting a website can get pricey. Between hosting, design, plugins, marketing tools, and other tech stuff, costs can add up quickly.
That’s why many people search for how to get a free domain name, especially when:
- Starting a new blog
- Testing an idea
- Launching a small business
- Building a portfolio
- Learning web development
Good news: you’ve got several legit ways to get a domain name without spending a dime.
Method 1: Get a Free Domain Name with Web Hosting
This is our top recommendation for most users. Many hosting providers including us offer a free domain name when you sign up for their hosting plans.
How It Works:
- You purchase web hosting (required to make your site live)
- The hosting company throws in a free domain for 1 year
- After the first year, you’ll need to pay to renew the domain
Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your Free Domain:
- Visit the web hosting plans page
- Select a hosting plan and click on “Order Now” button to proceed
Plan | Minimum Billing Period | Free Domain Eligibility | Eligible Domain Extensions |
---|---|---|---|
Deluxe | 1 year | Yes | .top, .online |
Professional | 1 year | Yes | .top, .online |
Enterprise | 1 years | Yes | .online, .org, .top, .site |
Ultimate | 1 year | Yes | .com, .net, .org, .top, .online |
- Search for your desired domain name using the availability checker. If available, add it to your cart. Click “Continue” to proceed.
⚠️ Important Note
If you selected the Deluxe plan, you are only eligible for a
.top
or.online
domain (as shown in the table above).
Please ensure your chosen domain matches the extensions available for your selected plan to avoid confusion.
- Configure Your Billing Plan
- Choose Annually or longer billing cycle to qualify for a free domain.
- Click “Continue” to proceed.
- Configure Your Domain
- Click to choose ID Protection at no additional cost (Free for life). This service protects your personal information from being publicly visible in the WHOIS database.
- Click “Continue” to proceed.
- Review Your Cart
- Check the summary of your order to confirm everything is correct.
- If you’re satisfied, click “Checkout”.
- Create or Log in to Your Account
- If you’re a new user, create an account by providing your details.
- Existing users can simply log in.
- If you’re satisfied, click “Checkout”.
- Complete Payment
- Choose your preferred payment method (e.g., credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile money).
- Enter your payment details and complete the transaction.
- Activation
- Once payment is confirmed, your domain and web hosting will be instantly activated.
- You can now set up your website, email addresses, or any other services.
Pros of This Method:
✔ Get a real custom domain (yourname.com)
✔ Domain comes with reliable hosting
✔ Professional solution that can grow with your site
Cons to Consider:
✖ Requires paying for hosting (though you need this anyway)
✖ Domain isn’t free forever – renewals cost $10-$20/year
Method 2: Use a Website Builder That Offers a Free Domain
If you’re not ready for web hosting yet, many website builders include free subdomains. These are great for getting started quickly.
Website builders like Wix, Weebly, WordPress.com, Blogger.com, or Google Sites offer free subdomains—meaning your domain will look something like:
yourname.wixsite.com
yourbrand.wordpress.com
yourportfolio.weebly.comyourwebsitename.blogspot.com
sites.google.com/view/yoursitename
How to Set Up Your Free Domain:
- Sign up for your chosen website builder
- Choose a subdomain when prompted
- Start building your site immediately
👍 Pros:
- No cost at all
- Easiest way to get online fast
- Great for testing ideas
- Good for beginners
- Built-in design tools
👎 Cons:
- Doesn’t look professional
- Harder to brand
- Limited customization options
- Most builders show ads on your site
✔️ Best for: Personal blogs, school projects, or testing an idea.
Method 3: Register a Free Domain Extension (TLD)
Some domain registrars offer free domains with lesser-known extensions like:
.tk
.ml
.ga
.cf
.gq
These are available through sites like Freenom.com.
⚠️ BUT… A Word of Caution:
While they’re free, these extensions often have low credibility and are commonly used by spammers. They can be flagged by email systems or ignored by serious users.
❗ Not recommended for businesses or long-term projects.
Method 4: Use GitHub Pages Or Cloudflare Pages
If you’re a developer (or learning to be one), GitHub Pages or Cloudflare Pages lets you host a static website for free with a domain like:
yourusername.github.io # for Github Pages
yoursitename.pages.dev # for Cloudflare Pages
This is ideal for developers building portfolios or testing apps.
💻 Pro Tip: You can purchase domain name from Aveshost connect a custom domain later if needed.
Bonus: How to Choose the Perfect Domain Name
Here are a few quick tips for picking a domain name you’ll love:
- Keep it short (under 15 characters if possible)
- Avoid numbers or hyphens
- Make it memorable
- Use keywords if they fit naturally
- Choose the right extension (.com is king)
💡 Example: Instead of best-dog-food-website123.tk, go for something like doglovershub.com
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Free Domain?
Absolutely—especially if you’re just starting out or testing an idea.
But here’s the real magic: Use the free domain as a stepping stone. Start small, grow your brand, and when you’re ready, invest in a premium domain to take your project to the next level.
If you’re ready to launch and want the best of both worlds (free domain + professional setup), check out Aveshost — where you can get a free domain, affordable hosting, and great customer support tailored to you.
👇 Ready to Claim Your Free Domain?
Don’t wait. Your brand, your blog, your business—it all starts with a domain name.
Click below to get started and claim your free domain name with hosting:
➡️ Get My Free Domain Name Now
Suggested Reading:
- What Is a Domain Name? Ultimate Guide for Beginners
- What Is WordPress? Beginner’s Guide Explained
- What is VPS Hosting? Complete Introduction to VPS Hosting
- .uk vs .co.uk Domains: Pros, Cons, and Best Use Cases
- Why Your Business Needs a Blog: Top Reasons Explained
- How to Start a Blog and Make Money: Beginner’s Guide
- How to Deploy Laravel Project
- How to Buy PHP Hosting: Beginner’s Guide
- How to Host a PHP Website: A Beginner’s Guide
- How To Deploy a Node.js App (The Ultimate Guide)
- How to Deploy Django App (The Ultimate Guide)
- How to Deploy Angular App: CSR & SSR Guide
FAQs about how to get a free domain name
Can I really get a domain name for free?
Yes, you absolutely can! Many web hosting companies like Aveshost offer a free domain name when you purchase a hosting plan. There are also free subdomain options and certain top-level domains (TLDs) like .tk
and .ga
that can be registered at no cost, though they come with limitations.
What is the best way to get a free domain name?
The most reliable way to get a free domain is by signing up for a hosting plan from a trusted provider. Company like Aveshost often include a free domain (like .com, .net, .org or .top) with their annual plans. This is ideal for building a professional website.
Are free domains really free forever?
Usually not. Most free domains are offered for the first year only. After that, you’ll need to renew the domain annually, typically at standard rates. Always check the renewal fees before registering.
What’s the difference between a free domain and a free subdomain?
A free domain is something like yoursite.com
, which you own and can fully control. A free subdomain looks like yoursite.blogspot.com
or yourbrand.wixsite.com
, and it’s part of another company’s domain. Subdomains are more limited and less professional.
Are free domain extensions like .tk or .ml safe to use?
Technically, yes—they work like any other domain. However, they’re often associated with spammy websites and can be flagged by email providers or search engines. They’re okay for testing or personal projects, but not recommended for serious businesses or branding.
Can I get a free domain name without buying hosting?
It’s rare, but possible. You can use services like Freenom to register certain free domains without hosting. You can also use website builders like Wix or Blogger.com, which give you a free subdomain. However, full domain control is typically tied to hosting.
Will a free domain affect my SEO?
Not if you choose a quality extension (like .com
) and build a reputable site. However, spammy extensions like .tk
may hurt your credibility and SEO rankings. Also, free subdomains usually don’t perform as well in search results as custom domains.
Can I transfer my free domain to another provider later?
Yes—if the domain was registered in your name and not just a subdomain. Most domains can be transferred to another registrar after 60 days. Just make sure the domain isn’t locked and you have access to the transfer authorization code (EPP code).