Everyone likes a bargain. It’s even wise to keep one’s costs down. On the other hand, you can be so cheap that you cut your own throat.
Here are two ways to register a domain name for free and some reasons why you might not want to.
- You Must Have Your Own Top Level Domain (TLD) Name
Your business website should definitely have its own top level domain (TLD) name. This means a name like yourcompany.com. It doesn’t mean a subdomain of someone else’s domain name, such as yourcompany.someisp.net.
Sometimes persons hesitate to register a proper domain name because of cost, lack of knowledge, or indecision. However, paying the nominal fee charged by the domain registrar for your own domain name can reap rich dividends.
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or Internet address like (ignoring the http part) someisp.net/hosting-accounts/yourco/, or yourcompany.someisp.net, just doesn’t look as professional as yourcompany.com. It might be free (as in included with your web space) but it just doesn’t cut it.
Consider: If you put your URL on your letterheads, business cards, signs, et cetera, which Internet address looks more professional?
If you mention your URL on your radio advertising or to a customer over the phone, which one will be easier to remember?
As well, what if your web host goes out of business or you decide that you want to change to another provider. Now, you need to notify everyone that you have now changed to yourcompany.someotherisp.net. You will also need to change all your stationery, signs, and advertising to reflect the change.
On the other hand, the domain name yourcompany.com, could be transferred from one web host to another simply by informing your domain name registrar of the change.
So, to avoid losing business and incurring unnecessary additional costs, be sure you have your own top level domain name.
- Should You Get a Free Top Level Domain?
It is possible to get a free top level domain from Dot TK (@www.dot.tk). (You may also get paid dot tk (.tk) domains from them.) However, there can be disadvantages to using a free top level domain name.
Here are some of the restrictions noted on the Dot TK website.
You may register no more than three free domain names.
The ownership of the free domain remains with Dot TK. This means that you can’t sell it. (Of course, if you pay for the domain you do own it and can transfer it to a new owner.)
Also, if you don’t have 25 visitors come to your home page within a ninety day period, your free domain name registration is cancelled.
You need to have existing web content somewhere so that your dot tk name can be forwarded to it.
There may well be other disadvantages.
Apparently, Dot TK uses frames to show your website. This being the case, you may have issues with navigation (bookmarking or finding specific pages) and search engine friendliness.
Therefore, for serious business use, consider carefully the true cost of free domain names.
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Very informative article. And quite frankly, if a business can’t scrape of the few bucks or nominal fee it takes to acquire a professional domain name, then quite frankly they don’t deserve to be in business
It would really be hard for a certain company not to have its own website. Almost all of us tries to check in the internet if we want to know something about a certain company. A company needs its own domain name to attract customers and as well as a unique and active site.
With the disadvantages listed above I think it wouldn’t be good to have free domain name especially with the cancellation. It can be very frustrating
I never expected that something for free would be able to hurt you. After reading this article, i realized that in using a free domain name, your customers may be reluctant in clicking on your website. Using a free domain comes with invisible costs such as the cancelation of your domain name when few visitors visit your page. It may be wise to pay a little bit more for peace of mind of your domain name.
What a very interesting article. Now I know you can own a domain for free.
I have always preferred a paid domain name. I think it better because it gives one ownership and one can even transfer its ownership by selling it which is better.
Well, the use of paid top-level domains is absolutely necessary for serious business use. Because the domain name that you will use to communicate with your prospective clients and coworkers. Therefore, your domain name must be creative, but still show your professionalism.
To me, free domain is more less a trial version with limited features or duration. Thanks for this exposure post.
Thanks for this informative post. I have never dug deep into this topic as I don’t have any business. However, this gave me an insight of what I should and should not do when the time comes that I want to start my own online business.
It allboils down to what or who you are using it for. Although I have not encountered a free domain in a real sense. Cheap yes but never since the price tag always starts with a dollar. However If it is really free then that is okay. Quality and sevice matter more. If you ask me.
to be honest i never knew there were free domains. thank you for the info very helpfull.
Free domain is good for start ups because it’s a form of reducing cost but if one needs quality, total control of ones website, with little or no ads popping up; you wont sign up for free domain. Nice piece
creating great space looks more clean and define. awesome.
Having a domain on for your business will definitely give it a more professional look. It also protects your rights and trademarks as a business. Thank you for sharing this article to us.
I appreciate every of this information. I have heard of free domain name but i would rather if one have the finance just get a paid domain name, the name would be unique to you and you would be in control of it.
Unique domain name will make a certain company unique from others. Paid top level domains is not a bad idea.
It is right that a free domain is not that useful as a paid domain. I would rather have a paid domain name as it is unique and it will fetch more visitors.
In my own opinion, if you are a start up company just trying to make things work; I think acquiring a free domain name can be convenient for you. Once you earn enough recognition or reputation you can always buy a domain name that’s worth it. We all know free items have its own risks just like a free domain name, as mentioned if your site receive 25 visitors in a 90 day period your domain is cancelled. It is still better to acquire a legit and costly domain but can sustain your business.