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How to Get a Free Domain With Bluehost (and What Happens After Year One)
Beginner Guide • Domains • Bluehost
Bluehost includes a free domain name for the first year with its shared and WordPress hosting plans. It is a real saving, but it comes with conditions, and the domain is only free for twelve months.
This guide shows how to claim the free domain step by step, which domain endings qualify, what it costs to renew in year two and what happens if you cancel. It is based on Bluehost’s plan pages and help center, checked on November 13, 2026.
New to Bluehost? Our guide to starting a blog on Bluehost covers the full setup, and this article goes deeper on the domain part.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy Bluehost hosting through them, TechCognate may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and features were checked against Bluehost’s official pages on November 13, 2026, and we have not hands-on tested the service. Bluehost changes plans and promotions often, so confirm current pricing before you buy.
Quick answer: To get a free domain with Bluehost, buy a shared or WordPress hosting plan on a 12-month or 36-month term and choose your domain at checkout, or redeem the voucher within 90 days of buying hosting. The voucher covers the first year of a new registration or a transfer, up to $18.99. After year one the domain renews at Bluehost’s regular rate; for a .com that is $23.99 a year on its current price list.
- Eligible: Starter, Business and eCommerce Essentials on 12-month or 36-month terms.
- Common endings such as .com, .net, .org and .co qualify; premium domains do not.
- Domain privacy is free for year one on Business and eCommerce Essentials, and $15 a year otherwise.
- Cancelling hosting in the refund window deducts a non-refundable domain fee.
Claim a Free Domain With Bluehost →
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Who Qualifies for the Free Domain
Bluehost’s shared hosting and WordPress hosting pages both list “Free Domain 1st Year” on the Starter, Business and eCommerce Essentials plans. The voucher terms in Bluehost’s help center add the details that matter:
- Term length: the voucher comes with a 12-month or 36-month hosting plan. A monthly plan does not qualify.
- Value: the voucher is worth $18.99. If the domain you pick costs more, you pay the difference.
- What it covers: a new registration or a transfer of an existing domain, for the first year only.
- Deadline: it must be redeemed within 90 days of buying the hosting plan.
- One use: it applies to the first eligible domain transaction on the account.
The help article also notes that accounts created and kept since before February 22, 2011 keep a lifetime free domain benefit. That will not apply to anyone signing up today.
The life of a Bluehost free domain
From checkout to the first renewal, in five stages.
Based on Bluehost’s free domain voucher terms and domain price list, checked November 13, 2026.
Which Domain Endings Qualify
Bluehost’s voucher terms list these eligible extensions: .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .co, .uk, .co.uk, .eu, .de, .nl, .space, .website, .blog, .online, .site, .store and .tech. Premium domains are excluded. A premium domain is a name the registry or a previous owner prices above the normal rate, often because it is short or a common word.
For most people a .com is the right choice. It is the ending visitors expect, and it is on the list. If your .com is taken, a .co, .net or a relevant ending such as .blog or .store can work, but check that the name is not confusingly close to an existing business.
Step 1: Choose a Plan and a 12- or 36-Month Term
Start on Bluehost’s shared or WordPress hosting page and pick a plan. On the 36-month term, Starter is $3.99 a month and renews at $9.99, Business is $6.99 and renews at $13.99, and eCommerce Essentials is $14.99 and renews at $21.99. Those prices exclude tax.
Pick the term carefully. The free domain only comes with 12-month or 36-month terms, and the help article says that switching to a term shorter than 12 months later makes the voucher invalid and standard domain charges apply. If you are deciding between plans, our Bluehost deals guide explains how the term and plan affect what you pay.
Step 2: Search for Your Domain at Checkout
During sign-up, Bluehost asks whether you want to register a new domain, use one you already own or decide later. If you buy hosting and a domain together, the voucher is applied automatically at checkout. You will not see a code.
- Type the name you want and check the price shown next to it. An eligible name should show as covered.
- Keep it short, easy to spell and free of hyphens.
- Check the total before you pay. If the name costs more than $18.99, you pay the difference.
Step 3: If You Skipped It, Redeem the Voucher Later
You do not have to pick a name on day one. If you skip the domain step, Bluehost’s help center describes two ways to claim it later:
- Email link: Bluehost sends a link after sign-up. After you log in and finish account setup, it takes you to the domain purchase page, where the voucher should apply.
- Domains area: in the Domains tab or Marketplace, register or transfer a domain and enter the promo code at checkout.
Either way, the deadline is 90 days from your hosting purchase. Put a reminder in your calendar so the voucher does not expire unused.
Step 4: Decide on Domain Privacy
When you register a domain, your contact details go into the public registration database unless you add privacy. Bluehost’s plan grids list “Domain Privacy, Free 1st year” on Business and eCommerce Essentials. Starter does not list it.
Bluehost’s domain price list shows Domain Privacy + Protection at $15.00 a year for .com, .net, .org and .co. The .us extension does not allow standard privacy, and Bluehost points to a separate article for it. If you value privacy, budget that $15 from year two onward, or from day one on Starter.
Step 5: Connect the Domain and Check SSL
If you registered the domain with your hosting, it is usually connected to your site during setup. Install WordPress, then confirm that the site loads over https. Every listed Bluehost plan includes a free SSL certificate, so you should not need to buy one. Our SSL certificate providers guide explains when a paid certificate is worth it.
If you transferred a domain in, follow Bluehost’s on-screen steps and wait for the transfer to finish before you change any DNS records.
Step 6: Set a Renewal Reminder
The free year ends twelve months after registration. Bluehost’s terms say the domain renews at the current rate unless you cancel, and that the voucher cannot be used for renewals. Check your auto-renew setting in the Bluehost portal, and set your own reminder about a month before the date so you can decide whether to renew there or move the domain.
What Happens After Year One
This is where the free domain stops being free. Bluehost’s domain price list (updated July 4, 2026) shows these regular rates:
| Extension | Registration | Renewal (per year) | Privacy (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $12.99 | $23.99 | $15.00 |
| .net | $18.99 | $19.99 | $15.00 |
| .org | $14.99 | $18.99 | $15.00 |
| .co | $29.99 | $37.99 | $15.00 |
| .us | $18.99 | $19.99 | Not offered (see Bluehost’s .us article) |
Source: Bluehost domain name price list. Bluehost says pricing is subject to change and directs customers to its Renewal Center for current renewal prices.
Year one versus year two for a .com
What the domain itself costs, before hosting.
Source: Bluehost domain price list and plan pages, checked November 13, 2026. Taxes and fees may apply.
Your Options at Renewal
- Renew at Bluehost. The simplest choice, especially if your hosting and email are there too. Expect the regular rate shown above.
- Transfer the domain to another registrar. Domains cannot move to another registrar during the first 60 days after registration, but after that you can transfer out. Other registrars may charge a different renewal price; we did not compare them for this guide, so check before you move.
- Let it lapse. Only do this if you no longer need the name. Someone else can register it once it is released.
Moving the domain does not mean moving your website. You can keep hosting on Bluehost and point a domain registered elsewhere at it.
What Happens If You Cancel
Bluehost’s 30-day money-back guarantee covers hosting, but the free domain is treated differently:
- Cancel hosting within 30 days: you get a refund on hosting, minus a non-refundable domain fee if your plan included a free domain. The amount of that fee is not stated in the help article we checked.
- Cancel the domain in year one: Bluehost says this incurs a non-refundable domain fee.
- Cancel hosting or drop below a 12-month term: the voucher becomes invalid and standard domain charges apply.
- You keep the domain. Once paid for, the domain is yours to renew or transfer, subject to the 60-day lock.
Using a Domain You Already Own
If you already own a domain elsewhere, you have two options. You can transfer it to Bluehost and use the voucher, since it covers transfers as well as new registrations. Or you can leave it where it is and point it at Bluehost. If you are also moving an existing website, read our guide to migrating a website to Bluehost first, because the order of the steps matters.
Free Domain Checklist
| Before you pay… | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Term is 12 or 36 months | Monthly plans do not include the voucher. |
| Domain is on the eligible list | Premium names are excluded, and the voucher caps at $18.99. |
| Privacy decision made | Free in year one on Business and up; $15 a year otherwise. |
| Renewal price noted | A .com renews at $23.99 on the current list. |
| Reminders set | One for the 90-day redemption deadline, one before the renewal date. |
Common Mistakes
- Choosing a monthly plan and expecting the free domain.
- Skipping the domain at sign-up and missing the 90-day deadline.
- Picking a premium name and paying more than expected.
- Forgetting that privacy is not free on Starter.
- Assuming the domain stays free after twelve months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bluehost really give you a free domain?
Yes, for the first year, with a 12-month or 36-month shared or WordPress hosting plan. It renews at the regular rate after that.
How long do I have to claim the free domain?
Bluehost’s terms say the voucher must be redeemed within 90 days of buying the hosting plan.
How much does a Bluehost domain cost after the first year?
Bluehost’s price list shows a .com renewing at $23.99 a year, .net at $19.99 and .org at $18.99. Check the Renewal Center for your exact price.
Is domain privacy included?
Business and eCommerce Essentials list free domain privacy for the first year. On Starter, and after year one, it is $15 a year per domain.
Can I get a free .co or .store domain?
Both are on the eligible list. The voucher is worth $18.99, so if the first-year price is higher, you pay the difference.
Can I use the voucher to transfer a domain I already own?
Yes. Bluehost says it covers a new registration or a transfer for the first year.
What if I cancel within 30 days?
You get a hosting refund minus a non-refundable domain fee, and you keep the domain.
Can I move my free domain to another registrar?
Not in the first 60 days after registration. After that, you can transfer it out, though cancelling in year one carries a fee.
Does the free domain renew automatically?
Bluehost says it renews at the current rate unless you cancel. Check your auto-renew setting in the portal.
Final Verdict
Bluehost’s free domain is a genuine first-year saving if you buy hosting on a 12-month or 36-month term and redeem it within 90 days. Treat it as a discount on year one, not a free domain for life: a .com renews at $23.99 a year on the current list, plus $15 if you keep privacy. Set reminders, check the renewal price and decide each year whether to renew with Bluehost or move the domain. If you also want a mailbox on the new domain, our Bluehost business email guide is the next step.
Sources
- Bluehost free domain voucher terms
- Bluehost domain name price list
- Bluehost shared hosting plans
- Bluehost WordPress hosting plans and FAQ
Jaykishan Panchal
Founder & CEO, TechCognate · SEO Strategist & WordPress Expert
Jaykishan Panchal is the founder of TechCognate and an SEO strategist with 15+ years of hands-on experience driving organic growth for businesses worldwide. He specialises in technical SEO, content strategy and GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation), helping brands stay visible in both traditional search and AI-driven discovery.
- Technical SEO
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