Unlocking the Door to Your Free Domain: A Step-by-Step Guide for Setting Up a WordPress Website

Getting a free domain for your WordPress website usually involves using a subdomain provided by a free domain registrar or a web hosting service. One popular option is Freenom, which offers free domain names with extensions like .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Visit Freenom

Go to the Freenom website at https://www.freenom.com/.

Step 2: Search for a Domain

• On the Freenom homepage, you’ll find a search bar. Enter the desired domain name (without spaces) and choose the extension from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the “Check availability” button to see if the domain is available.

Step 3: Select a Free Domain

If the domain is available:

• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the period for which you want to register the domain (it’s free for a minimum of 3 months).
• Click on “Get it now!”.

Step 4: Configure Your Domain

• In the next page, you can review your order. You can also choose additional services if you want (these may be paid).
• Click on “Continue”.

Step 5: Sign Up or Log In

• You will be prompted to sign up for a Freenom account or log in if you already have one.
• Complete the registration process by providing the necessary information.

Step 6: Configure DNS Settings

After completing the registration:

• Log in to your Freenom account.
• Go to the “Services” tab and select “My Domains”.
• Click on “Manage Domain” next to the domain you’ve registered.
• In the management page, look for the “Management Tools” section and click on “Name Servers”.
• Choose “Use default nameservers” or configure custom nameservers if you’re using a specific hosting service.

Step 7: Set Up WordPress

Now that you have a domain, you need a hosting provider to host your WordPress website. Some popular free hosting providers include WordPress.com, InfinityFree, or 000webhost.

• Sign up for an account with your chosen hosting provider.
• Follow their instructions to set up your WordPress website.

Step 8: Connect Domain and Hosting

• Once your website is set up, you’ll need to connect your domain to your hosting provider. This involves configuring the domain settings in your hosting account.
• Refer to your hosting provider’s documentation for specific instructions on connecting a domain.

Step 9: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes may take some time to propagate across the internet. It could take a few hours to 48 hours for your domain to start working with your WordPress website.

After completing these steps, you should have a free domain connected to your WordPress website. Keep in mind that free domains often have limitations, and if your website grows, you may want to consider a paid domain and hosting for better features and reliability.