Can I Get A Domain Name For Free
No, its not possible to get a domain name for free. Its an essential part of all websites, and all domains have a price.
Some web hosting providers, such as Hostinger, offer free domain registration alongside the web hosting service. Getting a free domain name from a web hosting provider will also help to create a website faster than getting them separately.
Some website builders offer a free domain in the form of a subdomain. For example, users can use hotel.wordpress.com instead of using hotel.com.
Beginners who are just creating a website and dont have a budget for a domain can use a subdomain for free. Keep note that most free subdomains have minimal features and tools.
The Hidden Costs Of Domain Names
Lets say youve found your perfect domain name, and its available. Whats more, its extremely affordable, so affordable that you become suspicious.
If thats the case, youre probably not that far off. Domain registrars have many tricks to lure you in with cheap domains and then pull the rug from under your feet. It is important to be aware of the tactics used by domain registrars and to recognize warning signs that come with domain registrations.
As we already mentioned, auto-renew options are often where some domain registrars like to play tricks and attach hidden fees. The same goes for when you want to transfer out to a different registrar you might be charged a hefty fee for transferring out. Make sure that the registrar you choose when buying a new domain is transparent about their fees and options.
Also, you may find that the cost of renewing a domain name is more expensive after a first-year discount. Some registrars may have contracts that lock you in for up to several years, with prices rising dramatically after the first or second year. You can save money with multi-year contracts and most registrars offer them, but make sure that you understand what youre signing up for before you commit.
Some registrars also charge high fees for domain privacy.
Thats why many domain registrars offer an add-on called Domain Privacy: to protect their clients from unwanted emails, phone calls, and other types of spam.
Dont Forget The Extra Costs
Its easy to focus so much on purchasing a domain name that you forget about the additional costs associated with it.
Obviously, a domain name is not a one-off purchase, it needs to be renewed every year, which will generally cost you the same amount of money that you paid to get it .
However, then there are also various add-ons that you can buy, the most popular of which is privacy protection that ensures that your personal or business details dont come up when people look up your domain name.
Generally, these extra costs dont add up too much but its still something that you should keep in mind.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Web Domain
Domain Name Structure Explained
The structure of what we usually call a domain name is made of two parts: the actual name and the extension . Its important to understand this, in order to avoid registering the wrong one. Unlike the English language, domain names are read from right to left. This explains why the Top Level section is actually the last part to appear in your URL.
SLDs: The Second Level Domain is the actual name of your domain. In many ways, your SLD is the identity of your website and should therefore represent your services or products. For example, taking the domain wix.com, the SLD part would be wix.
TLDs: A top level domain refers to the last segment of a domain name, after the last dot in your URL. The most common TLDs that youve encountered when browsing the Web are .com, .net, .edu, and .org. Here are the main groups of TLDs that businesses and particulars can acquire:
Did you know? Youve probably heard about the word URL. This abbreviation actually describes what you see in your browser when youre reading a web page. Its made of the following elements, from left to right:
The transfer protocol + The machine name + The Second Level Domain Name + The Top Level Domain Name + The folders and directories
Reinforcing Your Brand Identity
Purchasing and registering a domain name is an essential step in creating a website. A custom domain name can not only build trust with your audience it can also strengthen your brand and drive traffic to your site. The process is easy with the right platform. Look for one that offers the documentation and support you need to purchase and connect a domain with ease.
This post was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
Originally published Oct 4, 2021 7:00:00 AM, updated October 04 2021
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Recommended Reading: Io Domain Registrar
Namecheap $399 699 + Free Lifetime Privacy Protection
You all know how complicated some of these domain registrars can be. And no one really wants to have to deal with that! Luckily, Namecheap has made a name for itself for its simple services and pocket-friendly prices.
The hosts rates range from $0.88 per year for domains such as .us, .men, .faith, and .cricket to $8.88 per year or domains such as .com. However, there are more costly domains that cost up to $2,488 per year for domains such as .security. In addition, the company also offers additional features like free domain parking, free email forwarding, and free web redirection.
How Much Does Ongoing Maintenance For A Website Cost
You can work with offshore software development agencies in Ukraine, like MLSDev, with rates of $40/hour compared with local IT firms in the USA/ Europe with rates of $70-$100/hour. As for the timeline necessary to build a website, it can vary from 2 to 9+ months depending on the website size and complexity, as well as process organization.
Below is our selection of the essentials WordPress plugins that you should install on your website. Now lets see how much each of these projects cost and how you can avoid spending any more than necessary. Moreover, the experience level of the team members will also matter. Responsiveness is a brilliant design feature that will amount up to $25k based on the site. The complexity of each featureThe presence of more features is not just the only aspect that elevates cost.
Conduct research on ways to attract visitors to your website. Find out information that will help you to drive more traffic.
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Your Domain Name Should Be Easy To Type On Mobile Devices
Do you know what happened on June 29th, 2007?
Ill give you a few hints: Apple. Steve Jobs. iPhone. Yes, you guessed it: on that day Steve Jobs presented the first iPhone, which changed the world forever.
Now, a little bit more than a decade later, we are all struggling with smartphone addiction, and we got to the point where dumbphones are making a comeback. But what does this have to do with domain names?
Well, in the first quarter of 2019, mobile traffic accounted for 48.71% of global website traffic and its safe to say that this number is only going to increase.
This means that its best if your domain name is easy to type on a mobile phone.
What Does Domain Name Registration Cost With Godaddy
GoDaddy is currently one of the most popular domain registrar in the world today. For as low as $14.99/year, you can have your .com domain registered and on top of that, they offer free web redirection, a web interface, page parking, a starter web page and so much more in the package. Check here for our GoDaddy review.
Read Also: What Is Io Domain Used For
Things To Check Before Buying A Domain Name
Before you decide to buy a domain, there are 4 things to consider to make the process as straightforward as possible:
- Hidden fees and pricing we already mentioned that the prices you see on a domain name registrars website are introductory and could change after one year of service. We also reflected on hidden fees that you should be aware of before you make a purchase. Pay special attention to the fine print before you agree to anything.
- Data and privacy protection certain domain companies charge additional fees for hiding your personal and company information. Since this is vital to keeping your data away from spammers, check the privacy policy before you make a purchase.
- Auto-renewal and cancellation policies auto-renewal is one of the hidden charges that most domain name registrars wont tell you about. If you plan on using a domain for more than one year, its fine, but if you dont need it for more than a year, look for a provider that allows you to choose if you want a renewal. You should also check the cancellation policy if you decide to transfer your domain to another provider.
- Subdomains pay special attention to subdomains as they are treated as separate names by search engines and have separate rankings. Since they are viewed as separate websites, this could be a disadvantage if you plan on using them in the long run.
Which One Should You Go With
Its best to look up your desired domain name on both websites to see which company can offer you a better deal.
Namecheap offers .com domains at a lower price than GoDaddy . Yet its important to remember that money is not the only thing that matters, so you might want to take a closer look at GoDaddys and Namecheaps track record in terms of their views and their behavior to see which companys values resonate with you more.
Not sold on GoDaddy or Namecheap? Make sure to read our blog post.
Recommended Reading: How To Transfer Squarespace Domain To Godaddy
Your Domain Name Should Be Easy To Remember
You want to make sure that your domain name is easy to remember. But what exactly does that mean?
Basically, the more items you ask someone to remember, the harder it is for them to do that.
When it comes to domain names, every word and symbol is a separate item, which is something to keep in mind when you are considering various options.
For example, www.luciddreaming.com is easier to remember than www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com .
Try to keep your domain short, avoid using symbols, and get a well-known extension.
Why Do Domain Names Cost Money
A usual question about domain names is why do we need to pay for them. I had the same question when I first started building websites.
So, Why do domain names cost money? Domain names cost money because we pay for the expenses and profits of 3 different entities: Government or non-profit organizations that regulate the Industry, registries , and registrars .
Read Also: How To Get A Business Domain Email
Top 10 Domain Name Sales Of All Time
Business.com – $345 Million
The $7.5 million spent on purchasing business.com in 1999 lands it on the list of the largest domain name sales in history. But at the time, no one could have imagined that this domain would be worth 47 times more in a period of just 8 years.
The value of business.com spiked after Dow Jones and The New York Times tried to buy the domain in the years following 1999. Finally, in 2007, the domain was sold to RH Donnelly for a whopping $345 million. However, this particular domain name sale did not bring much luck to the buyer. The third-largest print and online Yellow Pages publisher in the US declared bankruptcy just two years after buying the domain.
LasVegas.com – $90 Million
This domain was purchased in 2005 by VEGAS.com, LLC which wanted to pair up the two domains to ensure that both search terms directed online traffic to the travel agency from Las Vegas. The massive $90 million sale ensures that this will always be remembered as one of the most expensive website purchases.
The previous holder of the domain, Stephens Media, agreed to a contract that started out with an initial $12 million payment. The remaining sum for this domain sale is payable until 2040.
CarInsurance.com – $49.7 Million
Insurance.com – $35.6 Million
QuinStreets other purchases hold third and fourth spot on the list of top domain name sales.
VacationRentals.com – $35 Million
PrivateJet.com – $30.1 Million
Voice.com – $30 Million
Internet.com – $18 Million
How Much Does A Website Domain Cost
If youre just getting started online, then the best course of action is to choose a new domain. A new domain will be cheaper, and allows you to build your own brand from scratch.
Typically, youll be paying around $10-$12 for a new domain, depending upon the domain name extension you choose.
Thats what most of the people reading this right now can expect, but its not the whole answer to what domain registration costs. On the low end, you may be able to register a domain for free . On the high end, popular domain names have sold for as high as tens of millions of dollars.
Thats a pretty huge range in cost. To figure out what accounts for the difference between the extremes and what you can expect, read on for the most important information you need to know about domain registration costs.
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How Much Does A Domain Cost Each Year With 1& 1
Besides having a reputation spanning decades, 1 and 1 has some of cheapest domain in the domain industry. You might pay anywhere between $0.99 to $2.99 on your first year and thereafter $14.99 yearly.
Some of the features to expect include free email account, private domain registration, unlimited email forwarding, an SSL certificate, DNS management and more.
Why Is Having Your Own Domain Name So Important
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Your website is the first impression you make on the Internet. A customized domain name looks professional and alerts customers that your site is authoritative and credible.
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It makes your website easier to find, as a domain name can be more easily remembered than an IP address . And if you change your web host , you will still be able to keep the same domain, making your online presence stable over time.
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Acquiring your own domain is a necessary step if you plan on getting your own business email address .
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From an SEO point of view, your domain name gives Google an indication of what your website is all about. Thus, increasing your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Altogether, these factors contribute to your online visibility, which translates into more business opportunities, and ultimately – more sales. This is why registering your own domain is a crucial step to take when creating a website.
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