Free Domain Name: What It Really Means and How to Get One Without Getting Scammed

When you hear free domain name, a web address you can use without paying an annual fee. Also known as no-cost domain, it’s often tied to free hosting services like Google Sites or WordPress.com. But here’s the truth: no one gives away a real domain for life. What you’re getting is a subdomain—like yoursite.google.com—not your own name like yoursite.com. Most people think they’re buying ownership, but they’re just renting space on someone else’s land.

Companies push free website hosting, platforms that let you build a site without paying upfront. Also known as zero-cost web builders, they attract beginners with the promise of a free online presence. But if you want to grow, you’ll hit walls. No custom email. No control over design. And when the platform changes its rules, your site can vanish overnight. That’s why smart Indian bloggers start with free hosting to test ideas, then switch to a paid custom domain, a unique web address you own and control. Also known as personal domain, it’s the first real step toward building trust and authority. You can get a .com for under ₹100 a year—cheaper than a coffee subscription.

Many blogs linked to this page show how people jump from free subdomains to real domains. Some use Google Sites to launch quickly, then map their own domain later. Others try free hosting, realize they’re stuck, and panic when renewal fees hit. The real cost isn’t the domain—it’s the time you waste on platforms that don’t let you own your audience. If you’re serious about blogging in India, a paid domain isn’t a luxury. It’s basic hygiene.

What you’ll find below are real stories from Indian bloggers who started with free options—and what they learned the hard way. Some saved money at first. Others got burned by hidden charges. Every post here is about avoiding the traps, choosing the right path, and making sure your website doesn’t disappear because you didn’t know the rules. No fluff. Just what works for people building something real in India’s crowded digital space.