Where can I register a free dot-com or net Domain Name?

**rocklee0891** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 02:18

Hi! I wanted to know if it's possible to register a free .com or .net domain name, anyone know any sites? Like one that'll mask an invisionsite's url. Thanks.

**Eidolon** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 09:09

As a general rule there's no such thing as a 'free' domain name, particularly with .com or .net. It may be possible to get one (or at least was several years ago) though the hosts cramming the pages with adverts. I'm aware it is possible to get free .tk domains and similar, however .net and .com domains have a registration cost.

Having just said that there is...
Win a Free Domain!

**Chrisp** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 12:42

I think you get a domain name for free with microsoft's new hosting service office.microsoft.com/en-gb/officelive/FX101925601033.aspx. take a look.

**Jack** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 15:27

Well you'll not get a separate website hosting offering free domain name registration. You will have to participate in such offers or competitions where in return you will get a free domain registration. So if you want to register for free domain keep looking for such offers.

**shadows** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 17:22

well..nowhere, only if you do it within a contest, like in here!
'Cause mainly it costs money for everyone EXCEPT icann to register domains.

I hope that helps you.

**rocklee0891** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 20:34

Yeah, thanks guys, I'm sorry, I also meant that if they were gonna' give a free one, I was willing to get all their adds on the forum, thanks anyways, and I saw that competition I'm not sure if I have to apply or not...lol

**hairyfreak** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007, 22:52

I believe that the website hosting ezyrewards is still offering domain names if you complete enough of their free offers. I have received a couple from them over the past few years, and they are very reliable. I've been away for just over a year though, and so am not as informed as I was previously.

Hope this helps.

**rocklee0891** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairyfreak

I believe that the website hosting ezyrewards is still offering domain names if you complete enough of their free offers. I have received a couple from them over the past few years, and they are very reliable. I've been away for just over a year though, and so am not as informed as I was previously.

Hope this helps.

Man, that'd be great (even though I hate surveys lol,) but there's usually a catch to these things... Would I need to buy anything? Cause I don't have a credit card. lol v.v'

**hairyfreak** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 19:35

No purchases are required to acquire domains, I think. At least, when I received mine last year I did so by simply completing the offers listed on the website hosting, without spending a penny. I really do think that the offers at ezyrewards are excellent, especially as they now offer many more rewards.

**rocklee0891** · #10 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairyfreak

No purchases are required to acquire domains, I think. At least, when I received mine last year I did so by simply completing the offers listed on the website hosting, without spending a penny. I really do think that the offers at ezyrewards are excellent, especially as they now offer many more rewards.

Alright, I'll try that out, thanks a lot. I don't find many offers like this (even though I search.)

**hairyfreak** · #11 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 11:13

You're welcome. ezyrewards is the only website hosting like this that I am aware of as well.

There are several post-for-domain website hostings out there, although most require massive amounts of posts before you are allowed a domain name. eUKhost is currently offering this kind of scheme, but in a much better way, in my opinion. It encourages participation and genuine discussion, rather than posting for the sole purpose of acquiring a domain name.

**avatari** · #12 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 16:19

yeah, there are disadvantages as pointed out by hairyfreak, but also, worryingly, there are serious questions to be asked about who actually owns your domain name with these offers.

There have been (some) reported cases of domains being registered in the name of the registrar (not the person buying through the registrar). More frequently, dodgy registrars not informing clients when their domain is about to expire and instead quietly purchasing it themselves upon expiry, then charging the old holder huge amounts to buy it back or lose their -possibly high brand-equity - domin name forever.

Add to that the sheer incompetence of some registrars (remember registerfly, anyone?) and I'd be very careful who I bought I domain through.

At the end of the day - you don't get something for nothing (even eukhost expects decent posts to help build a true forum with plenty of members to help it achieve orgainic growth) so be aware.

**Ryan** · #13 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 16:43

We have already mentioned in the Free Domain Contest thread, the free domain we offer would be under the ownership of the contest winner and not ours. It will be free for the 1st year only and the owner will have to pay the applicable renewal fees after 1 year. We won't take any dishonest route with domain renewals to earn huge amounts.

**avatari** · #14 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 18:22

Ryan, I'm sorry: think I may not have made clear in my post that I wasn't talking about eukhost specifically, but talking generally about offers of 'free' domains on the internet. I've read your Ts and Cs and I'm happy to believe that yours is not one of the dodgy ones: the point I was making was on the back of several of the posts in this thread about where to look for so-called 'free' domains.

Several of the users here seem to be considering only the 'upsides' of free tlds, not considering the 'downsides' too; which, bearing in mind that you don't get something in life for free, must be out there somewhere - even if the company running the scheme doesn't advertise them. My intention was to warn them that they need to show some care, just in case!

I did make the point that you are transparent in the reason for offering free domains: that you hope to build membership of the forum and incentivise people to post considered opinion, as more than one of your posts clearly reads. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that - in fact, I think it's good marketing - but it serves to demonstrate that even the good guys don't give something for nothing; so what do the 'bad guys' want in return?

In short, my post wasn't a dig at you guys, but an attempt to help some of our users take a look at the bigger picture when chasing 'free' stuff. However, I do thank you for taking the trouble to clarify your position.

**Brian** · #15 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 21:57

They have had several freebie offers like this, i beleive i got extra BW at one time for this too. I think what theyre doing is, when somebody gets a free domain, that person will talk. I certainly told people about the extra free BW that i got, or space, icant remember lol. But i got it hehe.

**Tom-X** · #16 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 00:23

Your best of just paying for one, I currently have 2 which are not being used, At the moment though I thinking of buying a new one (Nothing is ever free)

I tried a website hosting today with free domain with dns, All seems good (was .uk.to ect) BUT you had to put www. in or it wouldnt show the website hosting

I tried quite a few schemes and that but nothing seems true or worth it..

(Hint Hint, Just pay for one) :P

**esnail** · #17 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 23:25

Domains are so cheap these days that if you want total control and ownership you might as well buy your desired domain for the cost equivalent of a couple of beers.

**CftxP** · #18 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 15:36

I know a lot of places where you can get free.com/.net domains.

URL/Conditions

http://www.domain-4free.com / You must already have an existing URL

http://www.fanku.net / You must already have an existing URL

http://www.elwiki.com / You must register for an elwiki.com subdomain, then once you have 10 pages of it, you e-mail the owner and the owner will give you the free.com/.net that you want. But you don't own it, the owner does.

There's always a catch, but the places that you get a free domain without doing as much work are domain forums like Eukhost.com!

**rocklee0891** · #19 (**permalink**) 17-05-2007, 03:53

Thanks for your help guys!

And Cftxp: Yeah, I'd rather get a paid one from a website hosting like this, but I'm not of legal age to get a credit card, or use paypal. So, for existing URL, does a subdomain count?

**DPS Computing** · #20 (**permalink**) 17-05-2007, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocklee0891

Thanks for your help guys!

And Cftxp: Yeah, I'd rather get a paid one from a website hosting like this, but I'm not of legal age to get a credit card, or use paypal. So, for existing URL, does a subdomain count?

To use Paypal I don't think there is a age limit, just as long as you have a bank account - which again doesn't have an age limit so If your really serious about it..... Also you could always ask your parents

.

Hope that helps