Free domain names
Of course, as soon as I posted about free web hosting I got a couple of emails enquiring about free domain names (and other services).
Well, you can get “free” domain names, even .com, .net and .org ones. These are “free” only in so far as you do not need to pay for them: you need to sign up for some offers so this may not suit some people. But if you have the time this may be worthwhile – MAKE SURE YOU USE A DISPOSABLE EMAIL ADDRESS though. Take a look at www.freedomainsite.com.
You can also get genuinely free domain names at www.co.cc. These domain names are free for one year whatever use you make of them and are free for ever if they are for personal (i.e., non-commercial) use.
A third way to get a free domain name is to use a sub-domain provided by your web hosting company. Many web hosting companies do this even some of the free ones.
Whatever course of action you take, it could be false economy to invest in a web site using a free domain name, particularly if that domain name is not registered in your name at the top level registry for that domain. Do not spend hours driving traffic to a domain name that can be taken away from you – it’s just not worth it.
I totally agree with the last sentence. ‘It’s just not worth it.’ If you want to start something for free you should really look for for a web hosting company where you can get a domain name for free or almost for free for one year and choose your own domain name. If you lose interest after a year you can still quit. And you are on the safe side when you want to go on.
I started with my pages in September last year and at leas earn as much money to pay the next bill I will get from the web hosting company. Well, more really.
Hi Clive,
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with “false economy to invest”. Whether personal or business and building a following, links etc then to ultimately not control the domain is a waste of a persons time and effort.
I think effort is better spent trying to achieve the best deal and features for a domain after researching the pros and cons. i.e. cheaper isn’t always better, but hunting around, reading reviews, forum natter and weighing up features.
Another excellent post and I’ve been subscribed to your blog for a while and enjoy the blog.
free domains are actually given by most hosting companies if you sign up to them *
I like your blog. Really helpful and very motivational. Thanks a lot. This will help me a lot.