How to Register a Domain Name (and get it for FREE) in 2024

Whenever we start a new project, one of the first things we do is register a domain name. It’s a small step with a big impact, and we know how important it is to get it right from the start.

Choosing the right domain isn’t just about having a web address. It’s the entire foundation of your brand. A good domain name can make a lasting impression, which is why securing the perfect one matters.

In this guide, we will show you the step-by-step process for registering a domain name. Plus, we will share some tips on how you can get a domain for free.

Since this is a comprehensive guide on how to register a domain name, we have created a table of contents so you can easily skip to the section that you are most interested in:

Before we get started, let’s cover the basics so we are on the same page.

What Is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the address of your website, the part that users type in their browser to reach your site. For example, wpbeginner.com is our domain name.

Think of it this way: if your website were a house, the domain name would be its street address, making it easy for people to find.

The internet is essentially a vast network of computers. Each computer has a unique number called an IP address, which looks something like this:

66.249.66.1

But IP addresses aren’t exactly user-friendly. Imagine trying to remember these numbers every time you want to visit a website!

That’s why domain names were created. They make it simple to navigate the web without needing to remember long strings of numbers.

With domain names, business owners can create custom, memorable web addresses that are perfect for building a recognizable online brand.

To learn more, check out our beginner’s guide on what domain names are and how they work.

When Do You Need to Register a Domain Name?

According to the latest internet usage statistics, there are currently over 362.4 million registered domain names globally.

On average, about 33,000 new domain names are registered every day. That’s a lot of new sites and ideas getting launched daily.

This means that many good domain names are being claimed fast.

If you have a domain name in mind, it’s a smart move to register it before someone else does. We’ve seen plenty of cases where a perfect domain gets taken just as someone was ready to buy it.

This is why many savvy entrepreneurs register domain names for their ideas early, even before launching a business.

Domain names are affordable and can be registered for a year. If you decide not to pursue your online business idea, you can simply let the domain expire.

The takeaway is that if you’re serious about building a business, it’s best to secure your domain name as soon as possible.

Doing this protects your brand’s identity, business name, and even future business ideas you might want to explore.

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?

Typically, a .com domain name costs around $14.99 per year. Prices vary depending on the extension or TLD (top-level domain); some can be more expensive.

We always recommend choosing a .com domain. It’s the most recognizable, and your smartphone keyboard even has a shortcut for .com, making it user-friendly.

For more information, check out our expert guide on the cost of a domain name and tips to avoid hidden fees.

Do I Need a Website to Register a Domain Name?

No, you don’t need a website to register a domain name. You can register a domain and build the website later or set up a temporary page like a coming soon page with SeedProd.

Many entrepreneurs treat domain names as digital real estate, registering valuable names to hold and sell later for a profit.

How to Choose the Best Domain Name

Your domain name is a key part of your website’s identity. From experience, we know that the right domain name can set your site up for success. It’s worth spending some time to choose one that fits your brand well.

However, try not to overthink it. Getting stuck in the research phase can delay your project. Aim for a balance—think carefully, but don’t let it slow you down.

Here are some useful tips to consider when picking the perfect domain name:

• Choose a domain name that’s easy to pronounce and spell. Shorter names are generally better.
• Include relevant keywords and your brand name. For example, stargardeninghouston.com is more SEO-friendly than stargardeningcompany.com.
• Avoid using numbers or hyphens in your domain name. They can make it harder for people to remember and share.

Looking for more guidance? Check out our expert tips on choosing the best domain name for your website.

You can also use a domain name generator like Nameboy to help speed up your search for the right domain name.

If you’d prefer written instructions, then just keep reading.

How to Register a Domain Name (Step by Step)

You can register a domain name from any of the top domain registrars that are authorized by ICANN to register domain names.

Since there are so many different registrars, we will cover a few popular ways to register a domain name, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

1. How to Register a Domain Name for Free with Bluehost

If you want to register a domain name to start a blog or make a website, then this is the best option for you.

Normally, there’s a registration fee of $14.99 / year for a domain name, and website hosting plans start from $7.99 / month. This is a lot of money if you are just starting out.

Luckily, Bluehost has agreed to offer our users a free domain name, SSL certificate, and up to a 61% discount on web hosting services.

Basically, you can pay $1.99 per month for web hosting, and you will get a domain name for free, so you can start your website without a lot of money.

Why We Recommend Bluehost:

• Bluehost is one of the biggest hosting companies and an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider.
• We use Bluehost for several websites and have found them highly reliable and fast. (See our complete Bluehost review)
• They offer affordable hosting plans with excellent 24/7 customer support.

To begin the registration process, you need to visit the Bluehost website and click on the ‘Get Started’ button.

This will bring you to the pricing page.

Their Basic and Choice Plus plans are popular among our users.

Click on the ‘Select’ button below a plan to continue.

On the next page, you will be asked to choose a domain name. Simply type the domain name in the ‘New Domain’ box because that will get you a free domain name.

If the domain name you entered is available, you will be taken to the signup page. From here, you need to enter your account information like name, address, email, etc.

Below the account information, you will notice some hosting extras like domain privacy, which provides WHOIS privacy by hiding your info (name, address, email, phone number) from the public WHOIS database.

We don’t recommend buying them, so you can safely uncheck them for now. If you feel that you need them, then you can always add them later.

After that, you can enter your payment information to finish the purchase.

Bluehost will now register your domain name, set up your hosting account, and send you an email with a link to your hosting control panel.

Since you need both a domain name and web hosting to start any type of website, it makes a lot of sense to purchase them together so you can get the domain name for free.

If, for some reason, you don’t want to use Bluehost to get a free domain name, then you can use Hostinger, HostGator, DreamHost, or GreenGeeks. All of these companies are also offering our readers a free domain name with web hosting.

Related: See the difference between domain and web hosting to understand why you need both to build a website.

2. How to Register a Domain Name with Domain.com (25% Off)

If you only want to register a domain name at the moment without creating a website, then Domain.com is your best option.

Why We Recommend Domain.com:

• They offer the easiest domain management tools.
• Their domain prices are highly competitive
• When you are ready, you can just point the domain name to your preferred WordPress hosting company by entering your hosting provider’s nameservers.

First, you need to visit the Domain.com website and search for your desired domain name.

Once you find an available domain name, it will be automatically added to your cart.

You can adjust the registration period to 1 year. You can also choose to keep or remove the privacy protection, which will reduce your domain registration cost.

Domain.com is offering WPBeginner readers a 25% discount, and our Domain.com coupon should be automatically applied.

Click on the ‘Continue’ button to check out.

On the checkout page, you can review your order and click on the ‘Proceed to billing’ button.

Next, you will be asked to enter your account and payment information to finish the domain purchase.

Domain.com will now register your domain name, and it will send you an email with the link to your domain control panel.

3. How to Register a Domain Name with Hostinger (Free)

Hostinger is another well-known domain registrar and web hosting solution.

They offer a free domain name when you purchase any of their web hosting plans, which start as low as $2.69 per month with WPBeginner’s 77% off Hostinger coupon.

In addition to a free domain name, you’ll also get a free SSL certificate, a free business email address, and more.

Hostinger is a great alternative to Bluehost for creating a website and registering a free domain name. To learn more, take a look at our side-by-side Hostinger vs. Bluehost comparison.

Why We Recommend Hostinger:

• We use Hostinger for some of our websites and have found their service fast with excellent uptime. (See our Hostinger review for more details)
• Affordable hosting plans with free domain
• They are one of the officially recommended WordPress hosting providers

To get started, you need to visit the Hostinger website and click on the ‘Start Now’ button.

This will bring you to the pricing page, where you need to choose the plan you want.

You can select the ’48 Months’ plan to get 77% off web hosting and a free domain name.

Next, you need to provide your email address to create your Hostinger account.

Alternatively, you can use Google or Facebook to add your account information.

After that, scroll down to select your payment method and enter your payment details.

Our Hostinger coupon should be automatically applied to get the best price available.

Once you’ve added your payment information, click on the ‘Submit Secure Payment’ button to complete your purchase.

Upon completing the transaction, you’ll be able to select your desired domain name during the hosting setup process:

Hostinger will walk you through the process of choosing a domain name step by step. You can search for a domain name that’s available right on their website.

After your domain name is registered, you may receive an email to verify your registration.

If you missed the chance to claim your free domain name during the setup process, you can do it from your Hostinger dashboard as well.

If you need help logging into your Hostinger dashboard, check your inbox for a Hostinger email, which includes a login link.

Related: See this tutorial on how to create a truly anonymous website with Hostinger.

4. How to Register a Domain Name with Network Solutions

Network Solutions is one of the oldest names in the domain name business. They have been registering domain names since 1993 and were the only registrar for all common domain name extensions at that time.

Today, they are one of the largest domain registrars, with over 7 million domains registered with them.

Why We Recommend Network Solutions

• They are one of the oldest and most reliable domain name registrars.
• Their domain search tools help you easily find domain name ideas.

WPBeginner users can get a 39% discount on new domain names by using our Network Solutions Coupon.

Here is how to register a domain name with network solutions.

Fits, you need to visit the Network Solutions website. From here, you need to enter the domain name you wish to register in the search box.

If the domain name you are looking for is available, then it will be automatically added to your cart.

You’ll see a success message and continue to the checkout by clicking on the checkout button.

During the checkout, you’ll be asked to sign in if you are a returning customer.

Or you can continue as a Guest.

Next, you’ll be offered to turn on the domain privacy addon.

We recommend skipping it as of now and adding it later if you need it.

After that, you will be offered to add other products to your cart as well.

Skip them by clicking on ‘Continue’ under the ‘Domain Only’ box.

Finally, you’ll be offered to enable domain protections such as premium DNS (Domain Name System) and malware protection add-ons.

You can skip them for now and add them later if needed.

Finally, you will reach the checkout page.

From here, you can redeem our Network Solutions coupon to claim your 39% discount and then make a purchase.

After that, you can continue to check out to make a payment and complete the domain registration.

5. How to Register a Domain Name with GoDaddy

Godaddy is the largest domain name registrar in the world. They currently manage over 77 million domain names for 18 million users worldwide.

They offer an easy domain control panel, which allows you to point your domain to any hosting provider when you are ready to build a website.

Here is how to register a domain name with GoDaddy (step by step).

First, you need to visit the GoDaddy website and enter the domain name you want to register in the search box.

If your domain name is available, then you will see a success message with your domain name listed on top.

You can now go ahead and add it to the cart.

Next, click on the ‘Continue to cart’ button to checkout.

GoDaddy will now show you some additional services that you can purchase with your domain name. You can skip those by selecting ‘No thanks’ and clicking on the ‘Continue’ button.

On the next page, you will see your domain name and its registration period. You can change the registration period to up to 10 years if you want.

However, we don’t recommend that. You can always renew your domain name before it expires, so if you want to save money, then you can select the 1 year registration period.

You will need to create a GoDaddy account to proceed.

After you have created an account, you can enter your billing address and pay for your domain name.

GoDaddy will now register your domain name, and they will send you an email with a link to your domain control panel.

Pro Tip: You should make sure that auto-renew on your domain is turned on so Godaddy can automatically bill your account and renew your domain name. This way, you won’t lose your domain if you forget to renew it.

Related: See the best GoDaddy alternatives that are cheaper and more reliable.

Video Tutorial

Subscribe to WPBeginner

Domain Name Registration FAQs

Since we have helped so many people start websites, we have received just about every question you can possibly think of. Below are the answers to some of the top domain name questions.

Which is the best domain name registrar?

We believe that Domain.com is the best registrar right now because it offers the features you need and a 25% discount.

However, it’s a smarter money decision to get a free domain with web hosting like Bluehost because it saves you time and money.

If you are not happy with your existing provider, you can always transfer your domain name to another popular registrar, like Namecheap or GoDaddy.

Should I register new domain name extensions?

Apart from the most common .com, .net, and .org (suitable for non-profits), there are dozens more domain name extensions available. However, these new domain extensions are hard to remember and difficult to brand. To learn more, see our article on choosing a new domain extension for your website.

How can I buy a domain name permanently?

You cannot buy a domain name permanently. Domain name registration is done every year. However, you can pre-pay for up to 10 years, which guarantees that you will have a domain name for 10 years.

What happens to my domain name once its registration expires?

Unless you renew your domain name, it will automatically expire after the registration period you have paid for. Some domain name companies offer a grace period to renew your registration, but it is not guaranteed, and you can lose control of your domain name if you let it expire.

How do I renew my domain name?

You can renew your domain name from your domain control panel. We strongly recommend you turn on the auto-renew feature to renew your domain name automatically. You can always turn it off if you decide not to keep a domain name.

Even though your domain registrar would remind you to renew your domain registration before it expires, you may miss those emails and lose control of your domain name.

How can I reserve a domain name without buying it?

There is no way to reserve a domain name without purchasing it. You have to buy it if you want to reserve it. Considering the low cost of a domain name, it’s a small investment for a business.

Can I buy a domain with .edu extension?

EduCause manages the .edu extension and can only be registered by accredited educational institutes.

Is there a way to buy an existing domain name?

Yes, you can use a brokerage like Sedo.com to potentially acquire an existing domain name. However, it’s not guaranteed that you will get the domain name that you want because the seller may not want to sell it or ask for an outrageous price.

You can also purchase premium domains from a premium domain broker like BuyDomains.

For more details, see our expert tips on how to buy a domain name that’s taken.

Also, if you are looking to find a way to contact an existing domain owner, see our tutorial on how to find out who actually owns a domain name.

Can someone steal my domain name?

Yes, domain name theft can be devastating for small business owners. This is why you must choose a well-known domain registrar with a good reputation.

Hackers can steal your website name by obtaining access to your domain registrar account. Therefore, it’s important that you use a strong password and set up 2-factor authentication.

Furthermore, we always recommend small business owners use an identity theft protection service to get near-real-time identity fraud alerts because domain theft and ransomware are generally a byproduct of another hack.

Can I buy a domain name anonymously?

No, you cannot buy a domain name anonymously due to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regulation, which requires the registrar to have your contact information. But you can most certainly keep your personal information anonymous from the general public.

You can also use a registered agent or someone else to register the domain. For more details, see our guide on how to buy a domain name anonymously.

Which website builder gives a free domain?

Some of the popular website builders like WordPress.com, Weebly, and Wix offer free domain names.

However, these aren’t custom domain names. The website builder’s company name is included in the domain name, like mywebsite.wixsite.com. This isn’t very professional and makes using your website URL on social media and in advertising campaigns difficult.

That’s why we recommend registering a custom domain name and building your website with Bluehost.

Do you have any other helpful domain name tips?

Yes, here are some other domain name tips that you’ll find helpful:

• What is a subdomain – full explanation along with a step-by-step guide on how you can create your subdomains.
• What’s the difference between a domain name and web hosting – explained in plain English.
• Which domain extension should I choose? Here’s a comparison of .com vs. .net, as well as our list of top domain extensions.
• How to get a free email domain (quick and easy methods).
• How to check domain name availability (easy search tools).
• How to move a WordPress to a new domain (without losing search engine rankings).

We hope this article helped you learn how to register a domain name for your website. You may also want to see our tips on how to make money online with your new domain name and/or our expert picks of the best eCommerce platforms for creating an online store.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.