Computer Tricks and Secrets

Short answer: you can get a web address for free via a free subdomain (like yourname.github.io), a domain bundled with hosting, or a free TLD, but free domains have real downsides. For anything you care about, a proper domain costs only a few dollars a year and is usually worth it. Here are the free options and the honest tradeoffs. Free option 1: a free subdomain The most reliable free route is a subdomain from a hosting platform: GitHub Pages gives you username.github.io free. Blogger gives yourblog.blogspot.com; WordPress.com gives yoursite.wordpress.com. Netlify and similar give a free project subdomain. These are genuinely free and reliable, but the platform's name is in your address. Free option 2: a domain bundled with hosting Many web hosts include a free domain for the first year when you buy a hosting plan. Useful if you were going to pay for hosting anyway, just note the domain often renews at full price in year two. Free option 3: free TLDs (with cautio...