Free Domain Registration
A Domain Name identifies a company, trademark or product on the internet. When a person registers a domain name, the domain name becomes his or hers. Once you register a domain, you can associate email addresses and/or a website name to it while the registration is in effect. The email and web services are provided separately by a hosting provider.
Free domain registration simply means a domain registration that is totally free. It does not cost you a dime at all. It is 100% free. There are free domain registration services online but some are not totally free though. There are some services that may use tricks, gimmicks or impose hidden fees to subscribers.
Totally free domain registration sites allow anyone to register a domain name for either personal or business use for up to a period of one year. Some companies do offer free deals to customers. In some cases, free domain sites may offer longer time but may require a fee for period extension.
Some companies even go beyond providing free domain registration as they offer free web hosting too. Some would offer either only one or the other. If you spend a bit of time doing some online research work, you might be able to find really attractive deals which suit your needs best.
However, it is not good to jump at free domain name deals right away. Check if these free deals are really “free”. Some “free” sites are known to require payment from customers for additional services. For instance, a customer gets free domain registration if they avail of a web hosting plan in the same company for at least one year.
For some companies, it is the other way around. They offer free web hosting to customers if they pay domain registration and other fees. Basically, neither of these options is actually free.
There are some sites though that do offer both free domain registration and free web hosting. However, even in free registrations, customers must adhere to some restrictions. Just because they are not required to pay anything or there are no catches in their use doesn’t mean it does not have rules.
For instance, some totally free registrations may require that you use only the website for strictly personal purposes. Business sites are not allowed. Another possible rule would be if the customer intends to extend use of service after the period specified (normally one year) then the customer has to pay after the free period has lapsed. Payment of the standard rate is often required.
Users may transfer the domain name to another site but the company may require them to pay a transfer fees. Often, companies sponsoring free domain registration may opt to place advertisements on the website. Users may also be required to put the company’s search bar and login field. These features are often placed discreetly on the page.
Even with these few restrictions, it is still a good idea to give these free sites a try. If you want to make a personal web page, free domain name sites would be a good starting place for you.
If you are new to website design then trying out the features offered for free before opting for a paid account maybe a wise alternative.
Most of these free domain registration sites also provide registration of domain name with ICANN certified registrars to ensure that your intellectual property is secure.