Monday, March 25, 2024

How To Setup A Domain Name For Free

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What Happens If I Want To Switch Hosting Providers Can I Still Keep My Domain Name

Get a Free Domain Name & Domain Registration at Hostinger

Absolutely. Once you have registered your domain with a hosting service or website builder you can transfer that domain to a new hosting service or website builder. Transferred domains are often free for one year. However, it is important to note that the ICANN requires domain providers to lock most domains for 60 days after registration so you will not be able to transfer your domain within its first 60 days.

Option D: How To Get A Domain Free Through A Registrar

If youre only interested in a domain name registrar that offers a 100% free domain forever, you can opt for a free domain name registrar. However, it can result in untrustworthy-looking domain extensions, such as .tk, as opposed to a standard .com. As such, we dont recommend this option for small businesses.

If youre still set on using an alternative domain from one of these registrars, first consider whether saving $10 a year is worth the risk of not presenting your brand in the best way to prospects and customers.

PROS

If you need a domain for your business website or professional email, dont use a free one. Its not credible for businesses and may even pose security issues to your online operations.

Instead, get a domain included at no additional cost with other services you need such as WordPress web hosting through DreamHost, a site builder plan like Wix, Weebly, or Squarespace, or dedicated email hosting through IONOS. Alternatively, simply purchase your domain from any of the best domain registrars like Domain.com.

If youre running on a truly tight budget, we suggest that you build your business website on a subdomain through a free website builder instead of using a risky free domain. Your sites URL will look something like yourbusiness.wix.com, which, while not 100% professional, looks more credible as people are far more familiar with Wix and the like.

Using Gmail Instead Of Your Doteasy Webmail Application

Well, to be honest, there is a lot to like about Gmail a simple and friendly interface, good spam filtering, and much more, but the one main advantage of importing your domain email address into Gmail is the ample email storage space you get from Gmail.

If you have a lot of emails that you dont delete, you could be maxing out your domain email storage quota.

When you import your domain email account into Gmail, you are essentially downloading a copy of your domain email messages into your Gmail account. This setup allows you to:

  • Access your emails from any browser, any device, anywhere. You can even install the iOS and Android Gmail apps on your phone all settings will be auto-synced, so you dont have to re-import your domain email account into your mobile phone or device.
  • Store all your emails in your Gmail account instead of using up your domain mail server storage space
  • Take advantage of Googles uptime and stability as an online-storage solution for your domain emails

But do keep in mind that Gmail is a product of Google, so if there should be any problems or if you need help with your Gmail account, you will need to contact Google for assistance. Doteasy will not be able to give you assistance as in-depth as Google would, afterall, Gmail is not our product.

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Read Also: Can I Create A Website Without A Domain Name

Finding A Free Domain Name

Now that you know how domain names work, your next step is to find a free name that you can use for your site. This is easier said than done, because millions of common names have already been taken! For advice and tips on choosing a good domain name for your site, read Choosing a Domain Name.

The database of registered domain names is known as the WHOIS database. You can search this database in a couple of ways to see if the domain you want to use is free:

  • You can look it up on the Web, or
  • You can use a command-line program.

Choose The Best Domain Name Option

Free Domain and Setting domain name Tk

When youre checking for available domain names, youll often find that your first, second, and tenth choices are already taken. Some of the different approaches you can take when this happens are:

  • Keep searching. Let your creative juices flow, and continue to search until you find something you love or at least like.
  • Choose another extension. If the .com isnt available and youre set on a certain name, consider the .net or .org if you think it will work.
  • Reach out to the owner. Maybe the domain is already owned, but its not being put to much use. You could reach out to the owner with an offer.

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Free Domains From Hosting Services

Hosting providers like BlueHost and GoDaddy offer a year of free domain registration with the purchase of their other hosting services. If youre looking to use one of these hosting services to build your website, then its definitely a good idea to take advantage of this option.

That being said, if youre planning on using a website builder like Shopify, the cost of unneeded hosting services will be more expensive than purchasing a custom domain. On top of this, domain registration is only free for the first year. Renewing the domain in the years following will still come with the same costs.

How To Get A Free Domain Name: 4 Legit Ways In 2022

REVIEWED BY:Elizabeth Kraus

Elizabeth Kraus has more than a decade of first-hand experience building and growing a boutique digital marketing agency and double that in small and mid-size business marketing management. She provides expert answers to questions related to branding, content marketing, web development, email, social media, and SEO.

Roberta is a staff writer for Fit Small Business. With more than 5 years of experience in the writing industry, she now focuses on creating content about business websites for the Sales and group.

Purchasing a domain name is a must if you want a website or business email, and its affordable, at only around $10$15 per year. However, there are ways to get a domain name for free. For example, a free domain is often included with other products small businesses need, like web hosting, all-in-one website builders, and email hosting. Well show you four options for how to get a free domain name for your business and help you decide which is best for you.

Recommended Reading: Can You Buy A Domain Through Google

Two Ways To Get A Free Top Level Domain Name

We also understand that beginners are always short of budget, so they are looking for the free or cheapest domain names. Now everyone has different prescriptions about free domain name registration and its consequences. Some say that having a free domain name will cause the most considerable credibility effect. While others say the domain name is just the website address, it doesn’t affect your credibility. The only thing that affects your online credibility is your website content or business quality.

However, according to experts, you can get the free domain name for your website and register it. So here we will share the top 2 ways to get a free top-level domain name and start your online business.

You can choose your required or suitable method as we all know everything also has some pros and cons. So go through each process and choose a convenient way to get the free domain name for your website.

How To Set Up A Free Domain With Web Hosting Plans

How To Create A Free Website – Free Domain & Hosting 2022

DreamHosts shared hosting plans are an affordable way to get your site hosted .

Top WordPress web hosting companies like DreamHost and Bluehost include free domain registration in affordable shared hosting plans with other extras. For example, your SSL certificate that encrypts site visitor data is free, as are email addresses on your domain. Both providers also include a no-code WordPress page builder to make it easier for you to build your website.

To get your domain for free, simply choose which web host you want to use and select a plan. Both include domains in hosting plans starting at $2.95 a month the first year . During account setup, youll be prompted to enter the domain name you want to see if its available, and if it is, complete the checkout process to complete the domain registration process.

Here are the best overall web hosting providers for WordPress that come with a free domain, free email addresses, and a WordPress website builder:

Not sure which web host is right for you? Get the complete breakdown of the best web hosting companies for small businesses.

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How Can I Get A Free Com Domain Name

At Hostinger, you can get a free .com domain name for a year by purchasing certain web hosting services, such as the Premium Web Hosting plan. Although you can also get domain names for free from domain registrars, we dont recommend this method for a few reasons, like security and privacy.

Domantas G.

Domantas leads the content and SEO teams forward with fresh ideas and out of the box approaches. Armed with extensive SEO and marketing knowledge, he aims to spread the word of Hostinger to every corner of the world. During his free time, Domantas likes to hone his web development skills and travel to exotic places.

How Much Does A Domain Cost

While you can get a domain for free, you may want to purchase one instead. A free domain will contain a designated prefix of the registrar, which is best if youre establishing an online presence or only temporarily need a website.

If you want your website to professionally stand out and grow with your brand, however, then invest in a domain name.

With Wix, the cost of a domain name depends on several factors, including:

  • The plan you purchase

However, all Wix premium plans come with a domain for one year, which otherwise cost between $14 and $39 a month. After a year, you can renew your domain for anywhere between $13.95 and $15.95 a year. You can read more about domain name costs in detail, to understand whats right for you and your business.

In general, some other factors to consider that can impact the cost of a domain include auto-renew costs, privacy and protection costs and transferring domains. For example, you can also purchase a domain that already exists from another person or business. This is why having a desirable domain name can be good for your bottom lineif you ever want to sell it, you can make significant money. For example, in 2010, CarInsurance.com was sold for $49.7 million as one of the ten most expensive domain names in the world.

Small Business Expert and Marketing Blogger

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Pay For A Premium Site Builder Plan

A free name is usually included in the premium plans of website builders. For example, Wix, Squarespace, Zyro. When you buy a premium plan, you get a free site name and the opportunity to create a website on a reliable website builder using a wide range of features.

Its a good way to simply and quickly get a domain name, not in a subdomain.

Usually, website builders offer fairly expensive premium plans, which can nullify your savings in getting a free domain. However, here you get a domain and the ability to create a website based on templates and get support from the service team.

Why A Domain Name Matters

Free Domain and Setting domain name Tk

A good domain name will represent your brand online and act as your companys home on the web. A good domain name affects your business in three main areas:

  • It ensures a good first impression. Your website will often be a potential customers first exposure to your business. A personalized domain name will help your audience perceive you as credible, reliable, and authoritative in your professional field.

  • Its a solid foundation for brand building. Your domain name can help enhance your companys name recognition if it stands out, is memorable and in tune with the rest of your branding assets. It helps users add value to your brand or business, by creating associations to your name and website.

  • Itll improve your brands SEO potential. While Google doesnt determine website ranking based on a domain name alone, a good one can positively affect your sites SEO . Visitors unaware of your brand could click on your website from a search engine results page if it matches their intent. For example, someone searching for backpacks will likely click on qualitypacks.com over an unfamiliar brand name.

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What Happens If I Dont Renew My Domain Name

If you didnt set auto-renewal or forgot to manually do so despite the reminders from your domain registrar, your domain name will expire. This means several things:

  • Your website will no longer be accessible by anyone who types your URL.
  • The domain name will be available for sale again, typically in 30-days or so after expiration.
  • It can also be auctioned on a website domain auction.

In essence, failure to pay a renewal fee means lost access to your domain.

Pointing Your Domain Name At Your Website

Now that you have your own domain name, the final stage is to point it at your website. This allows people to type your domain name into their browsers address bar to visit your site.

To point your domain at your site you need to use name servers . Every active domain name on the Internet needs at least two name servers to handle it. A name server acts like a phone book for the domains that it handles. The process works something like this:

  • A visitor types your domain name into their browser.
  • Their browser looks up your domain name and finds out the name servers that handle it.
  • The browser then contacts one of these name servers, and asks it for the IP address of the Web server that your domain points to.
  • Once the browser has the Web servers IP address, it contacts the Web server and displays your website.
  • Usually, your Web hosting company has name servers that you can use for your domain. Youll often find these listed on the companys technical support site. Theyll look something like this:

    • ns1.example.com
    • ns2.example.com

    When you register your domain, your registrar may ask you for the name server hostnames . Enter the hostnames given by your hosting company. The registrar then updates your domain record to point your domain to these name servers.

    You can usually change your name servers at any time by logging into your registrars website and editing your domain details. If youre not sure how to do this, ask your registrar or look at their help pages.

    Also Check: How Much Do Domain Names Sell For

    Purchase Your Domain Name And Complete Its Registration

    Once you settle on a domain name, its time to purchase it. When you buy through Mailchimp, well let you know the annual cost of the domain name as well as any available discounts.

    During the checkout process, youll be required to enter your contact information, including an email address, to register the domain.

    Two Options Explained: Website Builder Vs Hosting

    How to Get a Free Domain for Your Website

    The range of web development tools is really extensive and versatile, but there are still two trusted web development options. You can either use a website builder or pick reliable hosting that provides free domain connection feature.

    Lets have a look at two platforms, which are the most popular and credible representatives of both types of systems. These are Wix and Bluehost.

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    Use A Domain Name Generator

    If youre not the creative type, you can use a domain name generator to help spark some ideas. Simply enter in some words or phrases that describe your brand or website, and these tools will give you a list of ideas that you can then check for availability.

    Bring your brand to life with your own website. Design from scratch, connect a domain, analyze traffic, and optimize for SEO.

    Get A Free Domain Using Website Builder Platforms

    We discussed getting the free domain with hosting plans in the previous section. Here is another way to get a domain name for free with a website building platform. Many websites are building platforms like Wix for blogs or eCommerce sites, Shopify and many more.

    All these All-in-one website building platforms offer tremendous benefits and support to website builders during their development and management journey.

    Many beginners don’t know about the all-in-one web builder platforms.

    So what is a website builder platform?

    The all-in-one website building platform is a way to support developers who have minimal knowledge of coding. Moreover, it makes the process easy that no one needs to do the manual coding during the construction of their website.

    Typically website builders fall into two primary categories. One is by the web hosting companies who offer all the proprietary tools, and the other is by the developer companies like Wix.com. The developing support from hosting services is enough for making the private sites.

    But when you want to build a professional website, website builders services are preferable.

    Wix.com is a cheap website builder software that offers ease to users with the combination of powerful features and continuous support.

    Usually, it comes with premium plans to get the free domain name. So if you already have the basic or free plan of wix.com, then move towards the premium plans that offer domain name registration.

    Step 2: Click on the premium plans.

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