How to Get a Free Domain with a Hostinger Hosting Plan—Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a website is easier and cheaper when you bundle a domain with hosting. Hostinger commonly includes a free domain registration for the first year when you buy an eligible hosting plan with a 12-month (or longer) billing cycle. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything—from choosing the right plan and picking a strong domain name to claiming the free domain in hPanel, verifying ownership, pointing DNS, and avoiding renewal surprises. Follow each step exactly to make sure the free domain is actually added to your account. Hostinger +1
Step 1—Prepare before you buy
Decide the purpose of your site (blog, business, or store), brainstorm 3–5 name ideas, and check that the names are short, brandable, and easy to spell. Have a valid email address ready (registrars require verification) and a payment method for the hosting plan. Double-check that you want to commit to a 12-month or longer billing cycle—the free domain is generally tied to yearly or multi-year purchases and usually won’t apply to month-to-month plans. Also note that Hostinger’s free-domain list varies by brand/region, so be ready with backup extensions if your first choice isn’t on the free list. Hostinger +1
Step 2—Choose the right Hostinger plan and billing period.
Open Hostinger’s website and choose a plan that explicitly mentions “free domain” or “free domain for 1 year.” In practice, many people pick Premium Web Hosting (or higher tiers like Business or eligible Cloud plans) and select a 12-month (or longer) term—that usually activates the free domain offer. Avoid Web Single, monthly plans, cPanel/VPS-only purchases, or plan upgrades/renewals if your sole goal is to get a new free domain, because those commonly do not qualify. If you’re unsure, the plan page or the checkout screen will show whether a free domain is included. Hostinger +1
Step 3—Search and pick your domain during checkout.
When the checkout or setup wizard asks for a domain name, type your preferred names into the domain search box. Hostinger will show available domain extensions and indicate which ones are free for the first year. Common extensions that often appear in the free list include .com, .xyz, .online, .shop, .site, and several others—the exact set depends on region and current promotions, so watch the dropdown. If your chosen extension is shown with “$0 for the first year” or “Free,” select it immediately and add it to the cart. If your preferred TLD isn’t free, you can either pick a free TLD or pay the listed price for the desired extension. Hostinger +1
Step 4—Verify the cart shows the free domain and complete payment.
Before you finalize payment, carefully review the cart. The domain line should show a 1-year registration with a $0 charge (or say “free domain”). If you see a price, go back and verify that you selected an eligible plan and a qualifying billing cycle. After you confirm the cart, complete payment using your chosen method. You will receive a confirmation email, and you’ll be able to access hPanel (Hostinger’s control panel) right away. Hostinger
Step 5—Claim the domain in hPanel (if not auto-added)
In most cases Hostinger adds the free domain automatically to your account as part of the setup flow. If you don’t see it immediately, log in to hPanel and use the “Claim domain” or “Register domain” option. In hPanel: go to Home → Account Actions → Claim Domain, or go to Domains → Domain Portfolio → Add New Domain → Claim Your Free Domain. Enter the domain name and select the free extension from the dropdown, then proceed to complete registrant contact details. Make sure all contact info is correct because domain registrars require accurate details. Hostinger
Step 6—Verify your email and enable WHOIS/privacy protection.
Domain registrars (including Hostinger) send a verification email to the address you provide. Click the verification link promptly—failing to verify can lead to domain suspension under ICANN rules. For supported TLDs, Hostinger typically includes WHOIS privacy protection for free and often applies it automatically. Still, check Domain → Manage → Privacy Protection in hPanel to confirm privacy is enabled. If privacy is available and not switched on, toggle it on to hide your contact details from public WHOIS records. Hostinger +1
Step 7—Point the domain to your Hostinger hosting (nameservers or A record).
If you registered the domain at Hostinger and attached it to the hosting plan during setup, nameservers are usually set automatically. If the domain is registered elsewhere or you prefer manual control, point your domain to Hostinger by changing nameservers at your registrar (recommended) or by updating the A record to the Hostinger server IP (advanced). Hostinger’s guides show exactly where to find Hostinger nameservers in hPanel and how to change them at common registrars. DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate globally—plan for that when you expect the site to go live. Hostinger +1
Step 8—Install SSL, create a website, and submit to Google.
Once the domain is connected and resolving to your hosting, install an SSL certificate (Hostinger provides free SSL on most hosting plans). Set up your website (WordPress, site builder, or custom files). Create or generate a sitemap.xml and register your domain in Google Search Console and Google Analytics—this helps Google find and index your site faster. Also create a robots.txt and check your site’s mobile usability. These are small steps with a big SEO payoff.
Step 9—Note renewal prices and key limitations so you won’t be surprised next year.
Remember, the free domain is usually free only for the first registration year; renewal fees apply starting year two. Renewal prices differ by extension, so note the renewal cost for your chosen TLD in hPanel → Domains → Pricing or the TLD list. Also be aware that certain actions—refunds, plan downgrades, or changing billing cycles after purchase—can affect eligibility or how refunds are calculated; Hostinger may subtract domain costs if you request a refund for a hosting plan that included a free domain. Keep a reminder in your calendar 30–60 days before the domain renews so you can either pay the renewal, transfer the domain, or move it to another registrar if you prefer. Hostinger +1
Step 10—Troubleshooting and common pitfalls (what to watch for)
If the free domain option doesn’t appear, double-check you selected an eligible plan and a 12-month+ billing term. If the domain is in your cart but still shows a price, go back and verify the plan or contact Hostinger support with a screenshot of your cart. If you forget to claim the free domain within the promotional window (often within the purchase or a limited period after), you might lose the free registration—claim it immediately after purchase. If DNS propagation is slow, give it up to 48 hours and use tools like whatsmydns.net to check global propagation. If email stops working after pointing nameservers, verify MX records were set correctly in the new DNS zone. Hostinger +1
Good domain selection and SEO: quick rules of thumb
Pick a domain that’s short, easy to pronounce and type, and brandable. Avoid hyphens and long strings of numbers. Prefer memorable names over exact-match keyword stuffing—quality content and a good site structure matter far more for SEO than whether a keyword appears in the domain. Consider securing matching social handles if you plan to build a brand. After launch, set canonical URLs, create a logical site hierarchy, and build an internal linking strategy to help search engines understand your site.
Quick checklist (copy and use)
• Prepare 3 domain name ideas and a backup TLD.
• Choose an eligible Hostinger plan and 12+ month billing cycle. Hostinger
• Enter domain during checkout and select a free TLD. Hostinger
• Confirm the cart shows the domain as free for year one.
• Complete payment and verify registrant email. Hostinger
• Enable WHOIS privacy (if needed) and point nameservers or set an A record. Hostinger +1
• Install SSL, deploy your site, create sitemap.xml, and add to Google Search Console.
• Note the renewal price and set a calendar reminder.
Short FAQ (copy-paste friendly)
Q: How long is the domain free?
A: Usually the free registration covers the first year; renewal fees start in year two. Hostinger
Q: Which domains are included for free?
A: Hostinger publishes a rotating list of free TLDs—common free extensions include .com, .xyz, .online, .shop, .site, and others; the exact list depends on region and current promotions. Check the domain dropdown during checkout to see available free TLDs for your account. Hostinger +1
Q: What if my plan or billing period doesn’t qualify?
A: Monthly plans, Web Single, cPanel, VPS, or plan upgrades/renewals often don’t qualify for a new free domain. Only new eligible purchases typically receive the offer. If unsure, check Hostinger’s support pages or contact support before purchase. Hostinger
Q: Is WHOIS privacy included?
A: For supported TLDs, Hostinger usually offers WHOIS privacy protection and often applies it automatically; confirm in your domain settings in hPanel. Hostinger +1
Final notes
Claiming a free domain from Hostinger is straightforward when you follow the exact flow: pick an eligible plan and term, select a free TLD during checkout, confirm the cart shows the $0 domain for year one, complete payment, claim in hPanel if needed, verify your email, and point DNS to Hostinger. Keep an eye on renewal prices so the one-year savings doesn’t turn into a surprise later. If you want, I can convert this guide into a ready-to-publish blog post (HTML), a YouTube script, or a printable one-page checklist—tell me which format you prefer and I’ll make it.
References
- Hostinger Support – How to Register a Domain for Free at Hostinger
🔗 https://support.hostinger.com/en/articles/1584329-how-to-register-a-domain-for-free-at-hostinger - Hostinger Support – What Free Domains Are Available at Hostinger?
🔗 https://support.hostinger.com/en/articles/7918615-what-free-domains-are-available-at-hostinger - Hostinger Tutorials – How to Point a Domain to Hostinger Nameservers
🔗 https://support.hostinger.com/en/articles/1583507-how-to-point-a-domain-to-hostinger-nameservers - Hostinger Support – WHOIS Privacy Protection at Hostinger
🔗 https://support.hostinger.com/en/articles/1583509-whois-privacy-protection-at-hostinger - Hostinger Knowledge Base – Hosting Plans and Pricing
🔗 https://www.hostinger.com/pricing - Hostinger Blog – How to Choose a Domain Name (2025 Guide)
🔗 https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/how-to-choose-a-domain-name
