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Does Bluehost Give You a Free Domain? Yes, Bluehost gives you a free domain name for the first year when you purchase qualifying hosting plans.
This valuable offer removes a significant barrier for new website owners by bundling domain registration with hosting services. Instead of paying separate fees for domain registration and web hosting, you receive both in one convenient package at a discounted price.
Bluehost continues to offer this promotion throughout 2025, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to launch your online presence.
This comprehensive guide explains exactly how Bluehost’s free domain offer works, including which hosting plans qualify, the included domain extensions, and the steps to claim your complimentary domain registration.
How Bluehost’s Free Domain Offer Works
Bluehost provides one free domain name for the first year when you purchase eligible web hosting plans of 12 or 36-month terms. This free domain must be redeemed within 90 days from your purchase date, giving you ample time to decide on the perfect name for your website. The domain registration covers the entire first year at no additional cost beyond your hosting fees.
After the first year, the domain automatically renews at standard rates unless you cancel. Renewal costs vary by extension, typically ranging from $11 to $18 annually, depending on which TLD you selected. This pricing structure means you save money upfront while building your website, then pay regular renewal fees in subsequent years.
The free domain offer applies to either transferring an existing domain into Bluehost or purchasing a new domain. This flexibility accommodates both new website owners and those migrating from other providers. If you already own a domain elsewhere, you can transfer it to Bluehost and receive the free registration credit.
How To Claim Your Bluehost Free Domain
The redemption process is straightforward and integrated directly into the hosting signup flow. When you purchase qualifying hosting from Bluehost, you’ll see a domain search field during checkout. Enter your desired domain name to check availability across supported extensions.
If your preferred domain is available, Bluehost applies the free registration credit automatically. The charge shows as $0.00 for the first-year domain registration, with only hosting fees appearing in your total. This transparent pricing clearly shows the value you’re receiving.
Should you need assistance claiming your free domain, Bluehost customer support can manually add the credit to your account. Their 24/7 support team helps ensure you receive your complimentary domain registration without complications.
Which Hosting Plans Include a Free Domain
Not all Bluehost packages include free domain registration—only specific hosting plans with minimum term commitments qualify. The free domain offer applies to web hosting plans purchased for 12-month or 36-month terms. Monthly billing cycles don’t include the free domain benefit.
Most popular Bluehost hosting types qualify for the promotion. Shared hosting plans, including Basic, Choice Plus, and Pro packages, all include free domain registration. WordPress hosting plans designed specifically for WordPress sites also provide complimentary domain registration with annual commitments.
WooCommerce hosting plans for e-commerce websites include free domain registration, helping online store owners launch professional web addresses for their businesses. VPS hosting and cloud hosting plans also qualify, making the benefit available across virtually all Bluehost hosting categories.
Shared Hosting Plans
Bluehost’s shared hosting represents the most affordable option including free domain registration. The Basic plan starts at promotional rates as low as $2.99 per month when billed annually, with the free domain included. This entry-level option suits personal websites, small blogs, and simple business sites perfectly.
The Choice Plus plan offers enhanced features including domain privacy protection and automatic backups while maintaining free domain eligibility. The Pro plan provides maximum performance for shared hosting users, also including complimentary domain registration with qualifying terms.
WordPress Hosting Plans
Managed WordPress hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress websites include free domain registration with annual terms. These plans offer automatic WordPress installation, enhanced security features, and performance optimization alongside your complimentary domain.
The WordPress Starter plan provides an affordable entry point for WordPress users wanting managed hosting with a free domain. WordPress Business plans offer more resources and capabilities while still including the free first-year domain registration.
WooCommerce Hosting Plans
WooCommerce hosting plans designed for online stores include free domain registration for the first year. The eCommerce Essentials plan starts at discounted promotional rates with free domain included, allowing store owners to establish professional web addresses without additional domain costs.
These specialized e-commerce plans include features like WooCommerce pre-installation, storefront themes, and payment gateway integration alongside the complimentary domain. This comprehensive package helps entrepreneurs launch online stores efficiently.
Supported Domain Extensions
The free domain offer applies to numerous popular domain extensions, though premium domains are excluded. Supported TLDs include .com, .net, .org, .info, and .biz—the most widely used generic extensions. These traditional extensions work well for virtually any website type.
Country-specific extensions also qualify for free registration through Bluehost. Supported ccTLDs include .uk, .co.uk, .us, .eu, .de, and .nl, enabling businesses to target specific geographic markets. This international extension support benefits global businesses operating across multiple countries.
Newer generic extensions round out the supported list. Extensions like .co, .space, .website, .blog, .online, .site, .store, and .tech qualify for free registration. These modern TLDs provide creative alternatives when your preferred .com domain is unavailable.
Premium Domains Are Excluded
Premium domain names don’t qualify for the free registration offer regardless of extension. Premium domains are aftermarket domains already registered by someone else and available for purchase at higher prices. These valuable domains must be purchased separately at their listed prices.
The free domain benefit applies only to standard-priced domains available for new registration. Before committing to a domain, verify it qualifies as a standard registration rather than a premium domain requiring separate purchase.
Choosing the Right Extension
Select domain extensions strategically based on your business type and target audience. The .com extension remains most recognizable and trusted globally, making it the default choice for commercial websites. If your desired .com name is unavailable, consider alternative extensions matching your purpose.
Learn more about what the 5 top level domains are to choose appropriately. Country code domains work excellently for businesses targeting specific regions. Choose extensions aligning with your brand strategy and customer expectations.
Time Limits and Restrictions
The free domain offer comes with specific time-based restrictions requiring attention. You must redeem your complimentary domain within 90 days from hosting purchase date, or the offer expires. This three-month window provides reasonable flexibility for deciding on your domain name.
Newly registered domains cannot be transferred to other registrars during the first 60 days following registration. This standard industry practice prevents fraud and protects domain security. Plan to maintain your domain at Bluehost for at least two months after registration.
Domains cancelled within the first year of service incur non-refundable domain fees. If you cancel your hosting account and want to retain your domain, Bluehost charges the standard domain cost plus applicable fees. This policy prevents free domain abuse while allowing legitimate domain retention.
The 90-Day Redemption Window
Don’t delay claiming your free domain after purchasing hosting. While 90 days seems generous, many website owners get busy with site building and forget to redeem their domain credit. Set reminders ensuring you claim your complimentary domain before the window closes.
If you’re unsure about your perfect domain name immediately, you can still proceed with hosting purchase. Use the 90-day period to research domain options, check availability, and make informed naming decisions. Just don’t let the deadline pass unused.
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on hosting services, but domain fees are generally non-refundable. If you cancel within 30 days and received a free domain, Bluehost deducts the standard domain registration cost from your refund amount.
This policy reflects that domain registrations incur real costs that registries charge regardless of hosting continuity. The deduction ensures Bluehost doesn’t subsidize domain costs for customers who immediately cancel services after receiving free domains.
What Happens After the First Year
The free domain benefit covers only the first year of domain registration. After 12 months, domains renew at standard annual rates matching Bluehost’s regular domain pricing. These renewal costs vary by extension, typically ranging from $11 to $18 for popular TLDs.
Domain renewal occurs automatically unless you disable auto-renewal in your account settings. Bluehost sends reminder emails before renewal dates, giving you opportunities to review and confirm renewals. Automatic renewal prevents accidental domain expiration that could result in losing your web address.
You can transfer your domain to other registrars after the initial 60-day lock period expires. This flexibility allows you to consolidate domains with preferred registrars if desired. However, many users appreciate managing domains and hosting together through Bluehost’s unified interface.
Renewal Pricing
Check domain renewal rates in your Bluehost account’s renewal center before your first year expires. Renewal prices follow standard market rates for domain registrations. Popular extensions like .com typically renew around $17.99 annually as of 2025.
Budget for these recurring costs when planning long-term website expenses. While the first year is free, ongoing domain ownership requires annual renewal payments. Learn about domain pricing to budget appropriately for renewals.
Keeping Your Domain Long-Term
Enable auto-renewal immediately to prevent accidental domain expiration. Losing your domain due to forgotten renewal devastates online businesses built around specific web addresses. Small annual fees are worthwhile to maintain your established web presence.
If you experience domain expiration, learn how to recover expired domains through grace periods and redemption processes. Prevention through auto-renewal costs far less than expensive recovery procedures.
Comparing Bluehost’s Free Domain to Competitors
Many hosting providers offer free domain registration with hosting purchases, making this a common industry promotion. Bluehost’s offer compares favorably to competitors in terms of supported extensions, ease of redemption, and hosting quality bundled with the domain.
The combination of affordable hosting rates, free domain registration, and Bluehost’s reputation for reliability creates compelling value. First-time website owners particularly benefit from this bundled approach simplifying the launch process. Rather than coordinating between separate registrars and hosts, everything connects seamlessly through one provider.
Alternative hosting providers sometimes offer similar promotions but with different terms. Compare total costs including renewal pricing and hosting quality rather than focusing solely on free domain offers. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value when considering long-term reliability and support quality.
Why Choose Bluehost
Bluehost powers over 2 million websites globally and receives official WordPress.org recommendation. This endorsement reflects WordPress community trust in Bluehost’s hosting infrastructure and support quality. The platform excels for WordPress users specifically.
Beyond free domains, Bluehost includes free SSL certificates with all hosting plans. SSL encryption protects visitor data and improves search engine rankings. This security feature combined with free domains provides excellent value for new website owners.
24/7 customer support assists with technical issues and account questions at any time. Award-winning support teams help resolve problems quickly, minimizing website downtime. This reliable assistance proves invaluable when launching your first website.
Additional Costs and Considerations
While the domain is free for year one, other costs may apply depending on your needs. Domain privacy protection shields your personal information from public WHOIS databases. Some Bluehost plans include privacy protection, while others charge additional annual fees.
Professional email hosting using your domain name costs extra unless included in your specific hosting plan. Google Workspace integration provides professional email addresses like yourname@yourdomain.com at additional monthly fees. This business email feature enhances professional credibility.
SSL certificates come free with all Bluehost hosting plans, eliminating that potential additional cost. Free SSL represents significant value since many registrars charge $10-50 annually for SSL certificates. The included security certificate saves money while protecting your website visitors.
Domain Privacy Protection
Enable domain privacy protection to hide your personal contact information from public databases. Without privacy, your name, address, email, and phone number appear in WHOIS records accessible to anyone. This exposure invites spam, unwanted solicitation, and potential security threats.
Learn more about how domain name privacy works and why it’s essential. Privacy protection costs typically range from $5-15 annually but proves worthwhile for the security benefits provided.
Security Measures
Protect your domain investment by implementing strong security practices. Enable two-factor authentication on your Bluehost account preventing unauthorized access. Use strong, unique passwords that aren’t reused across multiple services.
Discover how to protect your domain from hackers comprehensively. Security measures including domain locks, registry locks, and account monitoring defend against hijacking attempts that could cost you your website.
Making the Most of Your Free Domain
Choose your domain name strategically since you’ll use this web address for years. Short, memorable names work better than long descriptive phrases. Avoid numbers, hyphens, and unusual spellings that confuse visitors and complicate verbal sharing.
Research characteristics of good domain names before finalizing your choice. Avoid common domain name mistakes that create long-term problems. Verify trademark availability to prevent legal issues later.
Use domain name generator tools to brainstorm creative options if you’re struggling with naming. These tools suggest available alternatives based on your keywords and preferences. Perform thorough domain name searches before committing to ensure availability.
Domain Selection Strategy
Decide between keyword versus branded domains based on your business model. Keyword-rich domains describe what you do immediately, while branded domains create unique identities. Both approaches have merit depending on your strategy.
Consider future business growth when selecting domains. Overly specific names limit expansion opportunities as your business evolves. Choose names accommodating potential pivots and service additions without requiring complete rebranding.
Trademark Considerations
Research trademark conflicts before registering any domain. Learn how to avoid domain trademark issues that could force domain surrender. USPTO database searches take minutes but prevent catastrophic legal problems later.
Even free domains create trademark liability if you infringe existing marks. The cost savings from free registration don’t offset the expense of trademark disputes. Verify your chosen name doesn’t violate others’ intellectual property rights.
The Domain and Hosting Relationship
Domains and hosting serve different but complementary functions for your website. The domain provides your web address that visitors type into browsers. Hosting provides the server space storing your actual website files and content.
The difference between domain names and web hosting confuses many beginners. Bluehost’s bundled approach simplifies this relationship by providing both services through one provider. The integration streamlines setup and management considerably.
When you register your free domain through Bluehost, it automatically connects to your hosting account. DNS settings point your domain to Bluehost servers without requiring manual configuration. This automated connection eliminates technical complexity for new users.
Technical Setup
Bluehost handles DNS configuration automatically when you claim your free domain. The domain’s nameservers point to Bluehost infrastructure immediately upon registration. This automatic setup means your website becomes accessible at your domain address without additional technical steps.
Learn how domain names work technically to appreciate the behind-the-scenes processes. DNS translates your human-readable domain into IP addresses computers use to locate your website. This translation happens automatically for visitors accessing your site.
Long-Term Management
Managing domains and hosting together through one provider simplifies long-term website maintenance. You renew both services through the same account, avoiding coordination between multiple vendors. This consolidation reduces administrative overhead and potential confusion.
Research how to buy domains long-term for protection strategies. While permanent ownership is impossible, multi-year registration and auto-renewal maintain control indefinitely. Proper management ensures you never lose your domain to accidental expiration.
Special Promotions and Deals
Bluehost frequently runs promotional campaigns offering enhanced discounts beyond standard pricing. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales often feature deeper discounts on hosting plans that already include free domains. These limited-time promotions provide maximum value.
Current Bluehost promotions in 2025 offer up to 70% off hosting plans with free domain included. These significant discounts apply to the initial term, making your first year extremely affordable. Promotional rates reset to standard pricing at renewal, so enjoy the savings while available.
New customer promotions provide the deepest discounts. If you’re launching your first website, take advantage of Bluehost’s new customer offers now. These introductory deals won’t be available again once you’ve established your account.
Maximizing Value
Choose longer initial terms to lock in promotional pricing for extended periods. The 36-month option provides three full years at discounted rates. While requiring larger upfront payment, the total cost often proves lower than paying annually at standard rates.
Compare total costs across different term lengths before purchasing. Calculate the complete expense including domain renewal after year one. Sometimes longer commitments provide better overall value despite higher initial payments.
Getting Started with Your Free Domain
Ready to claim your free domain and launch your website? Visit Bluehost to explore hosting plans including complimentary domain registration. The signup process takes just minutes, guiding you through plan selection, domain search, and account creation.
Choose hosting plans matching your specific needs and budget. The Basic shared hosting plan works perfectly for most new websites, while WordPress hosting suits those specifically building WordPress sites. WooCommerce hosting serves e-commerce store owners launching online businesses.
During checkout, search for your desired domain name to verify availability. Bluehost checks availability across all supported extensions instantly. If your first choice is unavailable, the system suggests creative alternatives helping you find the perfect name.
Complete your purchase to receive immediate access to your hosting account and free domain. Bluehost provides step-by-step guidance for building your website, whether using WordPress, website builders, or custom development. Your free domain is ready to use the moment your account activates.
Does Bluehost give you a free domain? Absolutely—and the value extends beyond just the domain itself to include comprehensive hosting features, security tools, and support that help your website succeed from day one.
