Building a website or finding a hosting provider is insufficient to scale your business and build your brand. To make your services stand out, you also need a domain name. For website owners, a domain name is more than just a technical term; it is the deciding factor in their virtual visibility. Let’s say you consider your website a real-world location; your domain name serves as its business address.
A domain is a virtual address to establish an individual's online identity. Therefore, every website owner needs a relevant domain name in 2024 because it provides authority, professionalism, and brand awareness.
Similarly, you can use the domain name to create personalized email addresses with your custom domain name. For instance, email addresses are usually like yourbusinessname@gmail.com; however, with a custom domain name, you can change the look and feel of your business email address, yourname@yourbusinessname.com.
There are different ways to get a domain name; you can buy it from a domain registrar, website hosting, or email hosting service provider. It can be hectic to buy a domain name if you have the necessary information. That’s why we have shared 8 easy ways to get a free email domain name in 2024 in this blog.
Domain Name vs. Custom Email Domain Name
A “domain name” is a name associated with your website. Instead of IP addresses, domain names were created and used to identify business entities on the Internet, through which users can reach your website. For example, if someone searches for www.yourbranddomainname.com, it will take them to your website and not anyone else’s.
A domain name can be any combination of characters and digits. It can also be combined with various domain name extensions, including .com,.net, and others. These extensions generally tell you what services a business offers. For example, the .com extension is perfect for all commercial businesses, while .info is ideal for those providing educational or informational services.
On the other hand, a custom email domain name is the part that follows the @ symbol in your email address. For example, the email address joe.doe@example.com is divided into two parts. Here, 'example.com' is the domain name, and the “joe.doe is the user name”.
An email domain name serves as a unique identifier for your emails, just like a website’s domain name offers an individual online presence. For most businesses, having the same domain name for their website and email is logical to maintain brand consistency across all their communication platforms.
Significance of Having a Domain Name
These are the most important points that show why having a free email domain is crucial for your business:
1. Visibility Booster
A descriptive, easy-to-remember domain attracts customers and makes it easy for search engines to find your brand, giving you high visibility, just like a prime real estate location.
2. Credibility Builder
Using a free domain for your website and email addresses establishes authority and professionalism, helping customers trust your business and services. This helps to create a business that gains authority in its industry.
3. Brand Protection
Owning a unique domain email name safeguards your brand identity from competitors trying to use similar names to divert your customers. It also makes customers connect your services to you, enhancing your brand image.
4. Search Engine Favored
Keyword-rich domains tend to rank higher in search results, giving you an SEO advantage over competitors in your niche.
7 Ways to Create a Free Domain Name
While most registrars make you pay for the domain name, there are several ways to create a domain name for your business for free. You can use registrars like Freenom, which provides free domains.
Alternatively, you can choose a web hosting or cheap email hosting service that provides a free domain or subdomain with its services. Let’s look at some of the examples below.
1. Neo
Pros
- Free .co.site domain and one-page website
- Professional email with a custom domain
- Read receipts and pre-designed email templates
- Follow-up reminders and priority inbox
- Strong security with anti-spam and two-factor authentication features
Cons
- You can’t choose your preferred extension; you will be limited to the .co.site only.
- High-tier plans are required for additional features and storage
How to Get a Free Domain Name with Neo?
To create a free email domain with Neo:
- Visit the website and select “Get a New Domain.”
- Choose your desired .co.site domain name and complete the account creation process.
- You can then use your free professional email and one-page website immediately, with the option to upgrade to a paid plan later for additional features and storage.
Neo Pricing
Neo offers a limited free trial, after which you must subscribe to one of their paid plans:
Starter Plan
- $1.9/mailbox/month (billed yearly)
- 10GB of storage
- Android and iOS integration.
Standard Plan
- $3.99/mailbox/month (billed yearly)
- 50GB of storage
- A priority inbox
- Read receipts
- Smart email templates
Max Plan
- $7.99/mailbox/month (billed yearly)
- Includes 100GB storage
- All features from other plans, along with Smart Write, AI assistant
- Inclusion of Email Campaign Mode
2. DreamHost
DreamHost bundles free domain names with its WordPress and website hosting plans, providing an easy way to create an online presence without extra domain costs. This allows you to choose a domain appropriate for your company or personal characteristics, which can help you build a distinct online identity. DreamHost also offers 24/7 support so your business operates smoothly.
To create your free domain, choose and pay for a perfect plan. Once done, you can check your domain name availability on DreamHost’s Domain Search Tool and register it.
Pros
- Free domain with WordPress hosting plan
- Easy-to-use interface and one-click WordPress setup
- Reliable hosting and responsive support
Cons
- Domain renewal fees after the first period
- Higher plans needed for advanced features
DreamHost Pricing
Starts at $5.99/ month for a shared hosting plan
3. Hostinger
Hostinger offers website hosting bundles that include a free domain name registration, making it simple and cost-effective to use a new domain. It also allows no-cost domain migration, SSL encryption, and AI tools for smart website design.
Pros
- Free domain registration with WordPress hosting plans
- Beginner-friendly interface that is ideal for website creators
- Quick and easy WordPress installation process
- Reliable hosting services and good customer support
Cons
- Limited availability of some domain extension
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
Hostinger Pricing
$2.99 per month with a 3-month free trial
4. Bluehost
Bluehost is a great web hosting service provider that offers a free domain email name for the first year with its WordPress plans. Its reliable hosting infrastructure ensures good site performance, making it an enticing option for bloggers and website owners. Besides that, you can experience secure Cloudflare service and several WordPress plugins to meet your requirements.
Pros
- Free domain name for 1 year with WordPress hosting plan
- Quick and easy WordPress installation process
- User-friendly interface for hassle-free domain management
- Reliable hosting services and 24/7 support
Cons
- Domain renewal fees after the 1 year
- Some advanced features require paid upgrades
- Occasional upselling for additional services
Bluehost Pricing
Starts at $1.99 per month
5. Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail provides a suite of professional solutions and email hosting services. Zoho Mail is perfect for your business because of its offline email access, novel SecurePass encryption, and several collaborative tools. It even provides a free domain name upon purchase of its premium plan.
Additionally, Zoho Mail enables professional email addresses with your domain and strong security features like spam filtering and encryption. Their free plan for small businesses includes five email accounts set up with 5GB of storage each.
Pros
- Custom-branded email addresses with your domain
- Strong security with spam and virus protection
- Easy-to-use web interface and email client integration
Cons
- Limited free storage of 5GB per email account
- Advanced features require a paid upgrade
Zoho Mail Pricing
Free plan available for small teams
6. InfinityFree
InfinityFree offers free web hosting, subdomain registration, and email hosting services. Its unlimited storage and bandwidth for emails/files allow users to register a new domain or use an existing one. With its ad-free hosting service and high uptime, InfinityFree is a popular choice for those looking for forever zero-charge solutions.
Pros
- Over 400 databases to choose from
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Flexibility in choosing domain extensions
- User-friendly panel to manage domains, DNS, emails, etc
- Support website-building tools and popular CMS
Cons
- Limited customer support on a free plan
- Some advanced features may be restricted in basic plans
- Free domains are provided as subdomains
InfinityFree Pricing
Free
7. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a renowned brand in the web hosting and domain registration industry. It provides free domain names for a year with its website hosting and WordPress hosting plans. In addition, its website builders and WordPress designs make it easy to create your brand efficiently.
Pros
- Offers several domain extensions
- A comprehensive suite of additional services
- Reliable customer support is available 24/7
Cons
- Pricing can be higher than some free providers
- Domain will be charged after 1 year finishes
- A use interference can be somewhat complex
GoDaddy Pricing
Website hosting starts at $4.99 per month, and WordPress hosting at $10.99 per month.
Comparison, Our Reviews, and Ratings
|
Provider |
Our Ratings |
Our Review |
Key Features |
|
Neo |
4.8/5 |
Neo offers a great email hosting service for small businesses. It is easy to set up and offers complimentary features, such as a free .co.site domain. |
- Complimentary one-page website |
|
DreamHost |
4/5 |
Offers WordPress and website hosting with 24/7 support and free domain for a year. |
- One-click website set up |
|
Hostinger |
3.9/5 |
Recommended by WordPress, Hostinger offers streamlined operations, including a one-click WordPress installer and reliable services |
- SSL encryption |
|
BlueHost |
4.7/5 |
.Beginner-friendly WordPress and web hosting platform with features like website builder and SEO tools. |
- free domain for a year |
|
Zoho Mail |
4.2/5 |
Reliable and comprehensive platform for business optimization. Offers encrypted emails with offline access. |
- Forever-free plan |
|
InfinityFree |
4.4/5 |
A truly free web hosting platform with unlimited MySQL scripts, storage, and Cloudflare. |
- Free sub-domains |
|
GoDaddy |
3.8/5 |
It provides a user-friendly platform, a free annual domain, and holistic and reliable web or WordPress hosting plans. |
- Free domain registration for a year - 30-day money-back |
The ratings for each platform are decided based on several factors, including user-friendliness, features for streamlining operations, and general usability.
Wrapping Up
Your domain is the address visitors use to find your website. It should be short, simple, and ideally contain an industry keyword or your business name. Once you decide on an email domain name, search if it’s available using different domain search availability tools available on the Internet.
Once your desired name is available, you can register your domain for free or at any additional charge. It depends upon the method you have chosen to create your domain name. Instead of getting a domain name from a domain registrar at additional costs, you can get the domain name for free (for at least one year) and pay for the email marketing features that boost the capabilities of your email marketing team.
Visit Neo today, register for a trial plan, and see if it suits your business goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I get a free email domain without paid hosting?
While many providers offer free domains with hosting plans, some offer free email domain registration without requiring hosting purchases. Zoho Mail also provides a cost-free domain name if you have a small team with minimal requirements.
2. Are free domains fully functional and authorized?
Free domains can be practical solutions, especially for personal projects or businesses just starting their online journey. However, they often come with certain limitations compared to paid alternatives. A free domain may restrict customization, lack professional branding opportunities, or require mandatory renewals.
3. Can I use a free domain for commercial purposes?
While free domains are technically usable for business websites, they may not convey the desired professional image or banding. They also have low-value domain extensions. Free domains frequently include the provider’s branding or subdomains, which could impact your credibility. Investing in a paid domain is advisable for commercial ventures to project a strong, trustworthy online presence and have greater control over your branding.
Q.4. Is upgrading from a free to a paid domain possible?
Though their policies may vary, many providers allow you to transfer or upgrade from a free domain to a paid one. Some registrars facilitate a smooth transition, while others may require you to register a new paid domain. It’s crucial to review the terms and conditions of your chosen provider.
Q.5. What are the consequences if I stop using a free domain?
The consequences of abandoning a free email domain depend on the provider’s domain retention and expiration policies. Some providers may allow you to keep the inactive domain indefinitely, while others may deactivate or reclaim it after a specified period of inactivity. To avoid any unexpected domain losses, carefully review the terms of services and make informed decisions about whether to continue using or let go of your free domain.
