An odd question asked often: Are Domain Names free?
Short answer: No. But here’s what you actually need to know.
After running WESH UK since 2000, I get asked this question constantly by London business owners who are setting up their first website. They’re hoping there’s some magical free option that doesn’t involve opening their wallet.
Why Domain Names Cost Money
When you register a domain through us (we’re Nominet-accredited, by the way), you’re not buying the domain forever. You’re renting the right to use that web address. Think of it like leasing office space – except this office space costs about £10-15 per year instead of thousands per month.
The money goes towards keeping the entire domain system running. Someone has to maintain all those servers, handle the technical stuff, and make sure your domain actually works when people type it in.
What You’ll Actually Pay
Here’s the reality: UK domains (.co.uk, .uk) typically cost £10-15 per year to renew. We offer UK domain renewals 40% cheaper than competitors like GoDaddy or Ionos because we work directly with Nominet instead of through middlemen.
International domains (.com, .net) are similar prices. The exact amount depends on which extension you choose, but we’re talking about the cost of a decent meal, not a mortgage payment.
The “Free Domain” Scam
Some hosting companies advertise “free domains” with their packages. Here’s what they don’t tell you:
- The cost is hidden in your hosting fees
- You don’t actually own the domain
- If you want to leave, they often won’t let you take your domain with you
- Renewal prices can be eye-watering
We’ve rescued plenty of UK businesses from these situations. It’s never fun and always costs more than doing it right from the start.
What You Get For Your Money
When you properly register a domain, you get:
- Your own professional web address
- Email addresses using your domain name (you @yourdomain . uk looks better than immatureusername @ gmail.com)
- Full control over where it points
- The ability to transfer it if you’re unhappy with your provider
The Hidden Costs Other Registrars Hit You With
This is where many of our thousands of clients got burned before they found us:
Bait and Switch Pricing: £1 for the first year, then £30+ for renewals. We keep our pricing honest and consistent.
Transfer Locks: Making it expensive or difficult to leave. We don’t play those games.
Offshore Support: Good luck getting help when you need it. Our support is 24/7, all UK-based, here in the South East.
Our Advice After 25 Years
- Budget for it annually, like any other business expense
- Register both .co.uk, .uk, .org, .net and .com extensions as a minimum.
- Set up auto-renewal (we send reminders at 60, 30, 14, 10, and 7 days before expiry)
- Choose a Nominet-accredited registrar for UK domains, like us.
The Bottom Line
Registing Domain names costs money because quality green infrastructure costs money. But at £10-15 per year, it’s the cheapest marketing you’ll ever do.
The key is choosing a registrar who won’t surprise you with hidden fees or disappear when you need help. That’s how we’ve been doing this since 2000 – no nonsense, no surprises, just proper domain registrations.
Need a domain? Call us on 0800 5 999 404 or visit wesh.uk. We’ve got your back.
