Dreaming of starting your own business online but dreading the price tag?
Good news: you can get your domain included free for the first year* when you pick the right 123 Reg plan.
One less thing to worry about when you’re getting started!
What is a free domain name?
A free domain name is exactly what it sounds like: a web address you don’t pay for upfront. With 123 Reg, you can get a free domain included with a hosting or website plan for the first year.
You still add the domain and your plan to your basket separately, but you check out and manage them together. It just means everything’s set up in one go when you build your website. After the first year, your domain renews at the usual price.
One plan, one checkout, and you’re set!
Why your domain name matters
Your domain name is your address on the internet. It’s what people type in to find you, and it’s often the first impression you make.
Having your own domain (like your-big-idea.co.uk) looks far more put together than using a free subdomain (like yourname.somethingelse.com). It’s all yours — and you avoid the banner ads you often get with so-called “free” web address providers.
You can then build your site, create a custom email address, and shape things in a way that fits what you’re doing, whether that’s a professional home for your local business, a side project, or something bigger.
What is a domain name, anyway?
Think of it like a home address, but for your website. Instead of a postcode and street name, you’ve got something like your-big-idea.co.uk. When someone types that into their browser, it takes them to your site.
Behind the scenes, there’s a fair bit going on (the “DNS System“) to connect the dots, but a trusted registrar like 123 Reg will take care of the tricky bits for you. From your point of view, it’s just a name people can remember and use to find you.
Your domain also helps shape your brand, especially when your domain matches your business name and uses the right ending, like .co.uk or .com (just two of the options you can get free for the first year with the right 123 Reg plan!)
For more, check out: A Beginner’s Guide to Domains and What is a Top-Level Domain (TLD)?
How to get a free domain name
Most 123 Reg plans are designed to give you everything you need to get your brand online in one place.
That includes your domain name free for the first year, website builder or another tool to build your website, and a professional email address (you@your-big-idea) to match.
Here’s how it works in 1-2-3:
1. Choose your plan
Pick the plan that works best for you — Website Builder, Online Store, Managed WordPress Hosting, or self-managed Web Hosting.
2. Search for your domain
Once you’ve found a domain you like, be sure to pick from the available free domain endings included in the offer. To get it free for the first year, just add the domain to your basket in the same order as your plan.
3. Get set up together
At checkout, your plan and domain are sorted in one go, so you can start building your site with your web address ready to use!
☐ With an all-in-one Website Builder
If you want to get online fast, 123 Reg’s Website Builder is one of the easiest ways to put together a site that looks the business.
It’s great for business sites, portfolios or blogs, keeping the focus on what you do rather than getting stuck on the technical side. Start with a ready-made template, then tweak it with your own content and branding. There’s even built-in AI to help fill things in as you go.
You can literally be online in minutes using Website Builder and with an annual plan you get:
✓ Dozens of professionally designed mobile-ready templates to choose from
✓ That free domain for the first year
✓ A custom email address (like you@your-big-idea) to match it
✓ An SSL certificate that helps keep your site secure and trusted
✓ Reliable hosting and expert 123 Reg support, all in one package
Learn more about 123 Reg Website Builder
Looking to sell online? Choose Online Store Builder.
Online Store Builder extends the standard Website Builder with ecommerce tools for selling products online.
You get inventory management, payment gateways like PayPal, and options to add product pages, shopping carts, and shipping calculations. It supports unlimited products and includes abandoned cart recovery to boost sales. And yes, and you also get that free domain for the first year!
☐ With self-managed Web Hosting
123 Reg Web Hosting plan gives you more freedom in how you build your site. You’ve got the space to host your website and the choice of how to create it, whether that’s WordPress, another platform, or something more custom.
As with all these plans, the free domain can be claimed at the same time when you add it to basket.
For more, check out: Website Builder vs Web Hosting – Which Works Best for Your Business?
☐ With Managed WordPress Hosting
123 Reg Managed WordPress Hosting is for those who want to use WordPress but not deal with the setup behind it. WordPress is already in place when you start, so you can get on with building your pages and adding content.
You still get the flexibility WordPress is known for, with themes, plugins, and room to shape the site how you like, just without the usual bits of maintenance to think about.
Again, you get your choice of free domain for the first year!
See also: What is WordPress and Why Should You Use It? and Managed vs Unmanaged Hosting – How to Choose the Best Option for Your Business
Which domain extensions can I choose?
You’ve got a pretty wide mix to pick from. Many people still go for the familiar ones like .com or .co.uk, but there are plenty of others if you want something that feels a bit more specific to your idea, brand or industry.
If your first choice is taken, it’s usually just a case of trying a different ending that works for you.
Here’s the full list of domain endings free for the first year:
UK, .CO.UK, .COM, .NET, .ORG, .CO, .INFO, .BIZ, .US, .CLUB, .COMPANY, .DESIGN, .EMAIL, .FIT, .LIFE, .LIVE, .PRO, .ROCKS, .SHOP, .SITE, .SOLUTIONS, .SPACE, .STORE, .TECH, .TODAY, .VIP, .WORK, .WORLD, .XYZ
Tips for choosing the right domain name
Picking a domain name is part practical, part instinct.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should feel right for what you’re building and be easy for people to find again later.
✓ Keep it short and simple
Shorter names are easier to remember and easier to type. If someone hears it once, you want them to be able to get it right without thinking too hard.
Try to avoid anything that could be misspelt or misheard. A clean, simple name tends to go a long way.
✓ Choose the right extension
The ending of your domain, like .co.uk or .com, plays a part too.
A .co.uk or .com is often a safe choice, but depending on what you’re doing, something like .shop, .design, or .tech might suit just as well. 123 Reg offers a few dozen extensions you can pick for the first year, covering both popular and more niche options.
If you want something more specific, there are over 400 extensions to choose from overall. You can always buy more than one domain and link them to the same website.
✓ Match your name or brand
Your domain should line up with what you’re calling yourself, whether that’s a business name, project, or your own name.
It helps people recognise you and keeps things consistent across your site and email. If your exact name isn’t available, a small variation can still work, as long as it feels close enough.
See also: How to Choose the Best Domain Ending in 2026
Wrap up
Ready to claim your free domain and get online today? Pick a 123 Reg plan that fits, like Website Builder for sites or Online Store, and your first-year domain comes bundled at no extra cost. Start building your brand now, and plan for renewal to keep it yours long-term.
* Free domain available for the first year only with eligible annual plans. After the first term, standard renewal fees apply. See product page for full terms.
FAQ
Who can get a free domain?
Free domain offers are available to new customers taking out an eligible plan. In most cases, the domain is included for the first year when you buy Website Builder or a hosting package. After that, it renews at the standard rate. It’s worth checking the details of each plan, as not all domains or extensions are included in every offer.
Can I choose any domain name?
You can choose from a range of available domain names, but it depends on what’s included in the offer. Some extensions are part of the free deal, while others may cost extra. Your chosen name also needs to be available, so if it’s already taken, you’ll need to try a different option.
Do I need to buy hosting to get a free domain?
Yes, the free domain comes bundled with a paid plan like Web Hosting or Website Builder. The domain is part of the package, so you’re getting everything you need to get your site up and running in one place.
What happens after the first year?
After the first year, your domain will renew at the standard yearly price unless you cancel it. You’ll usually be notified before renewal, so you can decide whether to keep it or not. If you’re happy with your name and site, you can simply carry on without any changes.
Can I transfer my free domain later?
Yes, in most cases you can transfer your domain to another provider if you want to. There may be a short waiting period (often around 60 days after registration), and you’ll need to follow the usual transfer steps. Just keep in mind that transferring may involve a fee with your new provider.
Can I buy more than one domain?
Yes! And it can be a smart way to protect your brand and help more people find you online. You can buy multiple domains and point them all to your main website, so no matter which one someone types in, they still land in the right place.
