How to Get a Free Domain Name
I'll be straightforward about this. There's no way to get a standalone domain name that provides long-term value for free. I'm talking about domain names like .com, or .org.
But here's what is possible:
- Register an obscure but free .tk (or similar) domain name
- Use web hosting that includes a free domain name for one year
- Create a website with the Webador website builder: one domain name is included in the price of their plans
Ways to get a “free” domain name
Register a .tk domain (warning: NEVER do this for a serious website)
The website Freenom offers free .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf and .gq domain names. Never heard of these types of domain names? That's not surprising. They're the most obscure domain extensions on the worldwide web. They're primarily associated with and used by spam websites.
Taking .tk as an example: this domain extension comes from the island of Tokelau, a place with only about 1,500 inhabitants that is practically cut off from the rest of the world. In total, there are 31 million .tk websites. Clearly, the Tokelauan population doesn't own all these sites.
Freenom controls these domains and “leases” them for free to its users. The problem is that you have no legal rights to them. Freenom can take the domain away from you at any time, or redirect your site to another website once it starts getting some traffic.
And then something like this can happen:
You can't use these types of domains for a website with a serious purpose, or even for a hobby project.
The only legitimate use is for a temporary demo site. Or any other type of website that you wouldn't mind getting hijacked over time and redirected to inappropriate content (or something similar).
Hosting providers with limited-time offers
Some hosting providers offer a free domain name. A legitimate domain name with an extension like .nl or .com. Be aware: you typically won't get this free domain for more than a year. After that, you'll pay full price.
Examples of these types of providers include:
- Hostinger (this provider gets my recommendation)
- GreenGeeks
Use the Webador website builder
Website builder Webador offers a free domain name for the entire duration of your subscription. You can choose from options including .nl, .de, .be, .uk, or .com domains.
Webador focuses on beginners. It's particularly suitable for simple websites without complex functionality. Think of an online store as a “side project” or a basic site where you, as a freelancer, can showcase your services. If you want to get a site up and running in the shortest possible time and invest minimal effort (both in creating and maintaining it), Webador is an excellent choice.
Read our Webador review for more information.
Another idea: register a domain name for as little money as possible
There is of course another option. And that is registering a domain name for the lowest possible price.
With Hostinger, which was just mentioned, you can register a .nl domain for 6 euros per year. At Cloudflare, you'll pay $9.15 per year for a .com domain name.
Both options are perfect for parking domain names as they are affordable yet reliable.
I own a bunch of .org and .com domain names that I've all registered with Cloudflare. However, for Dutch domain names, you'll get a better deal with Hostinger.
How to create a free website: a step-by-step guide
Creating a free website is much easier than getting your hands on a legitimate, free domain name.
With a free website, you'll be assigned a subdomain. For example, with Webador, it would look like this: nameofyoursite.webador.nl.
It's a great way to try out a website builder and see if running your own website is something you'd enjoy.
In conclusion
The options for getting a free domain name are limited. It basically comes down to this: you can get a free domain through a shady outfit like Freenom (but not the type of domain that's actually useful), as a welcome deal with certain hosting providers, or through the website builder Webador when you use their paid plans.
If you go with the first option, keep your expectations low. Your domain could be hijacked and redirected to a site where Freenom can actually make money. Only use these types of free domains for temporary projects.
Getting a free domain name with your web hosting is nice, but remember that after a year, you'll be paying the full price.
Webador can be a good option for a free domain if you plan to build your site with a website builder.
