Every website needs two things: a domain (like onlysaver.com) and hosting. Many Hostinger plans include a free domain for the first year. Here is how to claim it, and what to watch out for.
Which plans include a free domain?
Hostinger's Premium, Business and Cloud hosting plans usually include a free domain for the first year when you buy a term of 12 months or longer. Monthly billing and some entry-level plans do not include it. Always check the plan's feature list before you buy.
How to claim your free domain
- Open Hostinger through our referral link and buy an eligible plan for 12 months or more.
- After payment, choose "Claim a free domain" in the setup wizard.
- Search for the name you want and pick an available extension.
- Fill in the domain owner details (name, address, email). Use real details: the verification email goes to this address.
- Click the verification link in the email. The domain is now yours.
Skipped it during setup?
No problem. In hPanel, open the Domains section and you will see the free domain option there. You can claim it any time while the voucher is valid.
How to choose a good domain name
- Keep it short and easy to remember.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers.
- Make sure it is spelled the way it sounds.
- Never use another company's brand name: it can lead to trademark trouble.
- Use .in for a local Indian business and .com for everything else.
Free domain vs buying one separately
Should you take the free domain with your hosting or buy the domain from a separate registrar? For most beginners the free domain is the better choice:
| Free domain with Hostinger | Domain from another registrar | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year cost | Free on eligible plans | You pay for it |
| Setup | Automatic: no DNS changes needed | You must point nameservers or DNS records |
| Management | Same dashboard as your hosting | Separate account and renewals |
| Best for | New websites and beginners | People managing many domains in one place |
Which extension should you choose?
- .com is the most recognised worldwide and works for almost any website.
- .in tells visitors and search engines you are focused on India, which suits local businesses and services.
- .co.in and .org are alternatives when your preferred .com or .in is taken.
- Newer extensions (.store, .online, .tech) can be memorable but are less familiar to some visitors, and renewals can be higher.
The extension has no meaningful direct effect on Google rankings; what matters more is that the name is easy to remember and trust. If both the .com and .in are available, many businesses register both and redirect one to the other.
Protect your privacy
When you register a domain, your contact details go into the public WHOIS/RDAP database unless privacy protection hides them. Turn on domain privacy (where available for your extension; a WHOIS privacy checker shows the result) to avoid spam calls and emails, and keep the underlying details accurate: registrars can suspend domains with false information.
Common problems and fixes
- The name you want is taken: try a different extension, add a short word (for example "get", "my" or your city), or rethink the name. Avoid misspellings and numbers.
- No verification email: check spam, then resend it from hPanel. Unverified domains can be suspended after a few weeks.
- Free domain option missing: your plan or term may not be eligible. Check the plan features or contact Hostinger support.
- Want to move the domain later: domains can usually be transferred to another registrar after 60 days.
How to pick a name that lasts
Your domain is part of your brand for years, so take a few minutes over it:
- Say it out loud. If you have to spell it out every time, simplify it.
- Think beyond today. "delhicakes.in" limits you if you expand to other cities; a brandable name grows with you.
- Check social handles. Matching names on Instagram, YouTube and X make you easier to find.
- Avoid trademarks. Do not use another company's brand name in your domain.
- Keep it short. Shorter domains are easier to type on phones and to remember.
Once you have the domain, follow our WordPress guide to build your site on it.
Connecting your new domain to your website and email
When you claim the free domain inside the same Hostinger account as your hosting, the connection is automatic: the domain uses Hostinger's nameservers, your website is attached to it and DNS records for email are created when you set up mailboxes. If you claimed the domain first and add the website later, open hPanel, add a website and choose that domain from the list. Give DNS a little time to update, then open your domain in a browser to check the site loads with HTTPS (an SSL checker confirms the certificate). Next, set up a business email address on the new domain.
What happens after the first year?
After year one, the domain renews at the normal price. Keep auto-renew switched on so the domain never expires by accident. If it expires, your website goes offline and someone else can register the name. You can look up any domain's renewal date with a domain expiry checker.
New to all this? Read the difference between a domain and hosting first.
