Top 12 free domain name registrar !

We all want a domain. If you have your own website, you’re itching to get rid of the long url and a domain is like having a tattoo – it sets you apart while it’s yours. You can express your artsy side with your name, let people know what or who you’re a fan of, promote your business or just bliss out over something cute – all for ten bucks!

But wait, does it really have to cost any money? Granted, if you run a business you’re going to want a top-level, com/net/org to look professional. But if you’re just a blogger in high school or college with a WordPress site, or a foodie recommending local eateries, you may be wasting precious money registering and renewing a domain name if you don’t really need one.

Now, I’m an old lady. In my day, domains were free to register. I don’t think anyone had any idea that this would turn into a global business. So, domains quickly bounced around the price scale, I’ve seen everything from 50 cents in my day to 99 dollars for a new, regular registered domain. Mostly, though, ever since Godaddy began it’s hovered around about 10 bucks and that’s seemed to set the standard price for the rest of the web.

So what if you don’t have the 10 bucks? Or you don’t want to spend it? That’s where the freebies come in, and I know you love freebies because you’re greedy, like me, lol!

Remember, these are not in order of greatness, the order is entirely random:

#1. The first is a domain everyone is probably familiar with, and that’s top level .TK. I’m sure in the past you’ve used one to redirect to your myspace or webs.com page, but did you know they now offer free DNS support? That’s right, .tk domains now work just like real domain names, and yes they are still free! Sidenote, they’re one of the few who really do crack down on their TOS, so if you don’t get 20 hits per 90 days they WILL cancel your domain (you are free to reregister), and if you run a site that uses celebrity images or other copyrighted materials and they find out, once again, they WILL cancel your domain. If you just have a regular blog or a family website, you shouldn’t have any problems with them. Obviously, if you run a PSD, blend, fanart or celebrity fansite this is not the domain for you.

#2. Number two is CO.CC, which has in the last year or so become a great resource for anyone wanting a free web url that looks and works just like a real domain. I use them for several small websites, and I haven’t had any problems with them. You get two free ‘domains’, with the ability to edit and use DNS as well as url forwarding. If you want more you can donate less than $5 to get several extra domains. They renew for free.

#3. Another seemingly stable registrar is CZ.CC, which allows you 5 free domains, free DNS support (or forwarding, if you prefer, along with a host of other abilities). They, like all of the domains on this list, are currently free from ads or pop ups and look enough like a real domain to make a blog owner happy. I’ve used them for a few months and have no complaints.

#4. CE.MS is one I’ve only found out about it in the last two weeks, but it’s much like cz.cc (down to using the same script to setup domains), and it seems to be pretty easy to use. Also free and ad-free, uses DNS and url forwarding. I can’t speak on it’s reliability just yet but so far so good. They allow you to register 3 domains and renewal is free.

#5. Lydia gave me this url, she registered her domain at GV.VG, which is very much like the other registrars and offers your standard no ads, 5 free domains, full DNS support as well as forwarding and whatnot. I registered one of their domains about two weeks ago and haven’t had any problems, but they seem to be fairly new yet!

#6. I found out about this one from Jon, who has one of their domains for his blog. He registered it at FR.AM, which seems to be a small-time operation run by an individual. You can choose your short url from their subdomains: fr.am, mm.am, and nl.am – all can be registered from their site for free, but are actually part of our next registrar:

#7. I have been using these guys for ages! You can register your free subdomain at FREEDNS.AFRAID.ORG, it uses your nameservers and there aren’t any ads, plus you get fast propagation and domain-looking urls like yourname.us.to — the downside is that they only use 1 nameserver, not great if you want to use webmail or pop3 with your domain name.

#8. One of the older subdomain-domains on the net is BIZ.LY, which is free and does use your nameservers, but these guys not only force a link back (which is not that big a deal), but the kicker is that you have to already have a website with at least 100 unique daily hits to even apply and they still may reject you. Too many hoops to jump through for yourname.biz.ly, don’t you think?

#9. Number 9 is one of the newer slew like cz.cc who use a standardized script to let you register their CO.TV domains. So far so good with these guys, I’ve used them for several months without incident. You’re limited to 3 domain names, but they use your nameservers or url forwarding if you prefer and you can renew them for free I believe.

#10. Another standardized script subdomain is VV.CC, which limits you to 5 domains each registerable for 2 years at a time. This also uses url forwarding or your own nameservers, and the 2 domains I have registered with them have been doing insanely well for free domains. Unlike older domains like tk and cjb.net, these guys are somewhat new and so don’t have the stigma of spam attatched to them where Google is concerned, or that’s how it seems. My first vv.cc got a pagerank of 1 within a month of being up!

#11. For anyone who’s been on the net for a few years, CJB.NETwill probably bring back a lot of (mostly bad) memories. They were one of the first widly used short urls, and easily one of the most popular. They carried ads and malware, and probably still do, but now they boast use of your own nameservers – that is, if you can figure out how to set them once you’ve signed up. I couldn’t, and I’m usually pretty good at that. :/

#12. Last, but certainly not least, is another oldie but a goodie which offers you your own subdomain of UNIC.CC. They used to have a limit of one per customer I think, but Madeline uses them and said she’s got 2 with them on the same account and room for more. I believe they request that you link back but I don’t think it’s manditory, and they are ad-free as well as giving you the option of DNS management or url forwarding. They’ve been around forever, and have proved to be very stable over the years.

Well, that’s my list. I’m sure there are a few I’ve missed, but here’s what I’ve used in the past. Domains are great, but a real, pay domain isn’t always necessary. I hope this list helps you out a bit!

Posted in: IT Solutions