Is there a real free domain?

To be totally honest, there is no such thing as a free domain. Obtaining a domain is going to cost something. The cost may differ depending on the company, but you will ultimately have to pay something to receive a domain.

There are companies that offer domains that are free of monetary expenses. This may seem like it is absolutely, positively, no-strings-attached free, but it is not. Companies like these offer free websites, but they come with many stipulations for keeping the free website. One specific domain registration company, called DotTK, offers up to three free domain names. However, there must already be an established website for the domain to link to. You may not register the domain name and then create the website at a later date. Also, the domain must receive a minimum of twenty-five web visitors within the first ninety days. If this does not occur, DotTK will repossess the domain and then give it to some other user. While you are essentially getting a free domain, you are giving up all legal and transfer rights to the domain. Those rights stay with DotTK.

The other option when trying to get a free domain is to get it through a web hosting company. You need a web hosting company to provide space for your website. Otherwise, your website will not be posted online. Web hosting companies recognize this and try to make it more convenient for you to display a website online. They are aware that you must pay the web hosting fee. So, they offer free domain names to their customers. Therefore, you will pay a fee to have the sight hosted and you will seemingly have a free domain. However, many feel that the monthly web hosting fees include the domain fees.

The advantage of obtaining a free domain through a low-cost web hosting service is that it usually comes with additional freebies. Some bonus features include: domain forwarding, auto-responders, email forwarding, bulk domain registration options, tremendous disk space, website templates, and more. The majority of these services have excellent customer and technical support. Even though you are paying for the free domain, you are getting quality service. Remember, you get what you pay for. That has never ceased to be true.

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