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    Best Web Hosting Plans For Sites Without A Domain Name

    Jon Rettinger - 2020-05-27T21:00:00.000Z

    very website on the internet has a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address that consists of four sets of numbers that are separated using periods such as 165.168.1.3. Can you imagine remembering and typing 69.63.176.0 just to log into Facebook? This is where a domain name comes into the picture. By allotting a memorable name to numeric IP addresses, customers can access, remember, and recommend your brand. Simply put, the domain name is your address online.

    Finding the ideal domain name is not easy, as the landscape of online businesses today is highly saturated. You might not find it necessary to have a domain name at all if you are just starting out, however, starting a website without a domain name comes with multiple risks in the long run. 

    Read on to find out all about hosting a website without a domain name, and the three best providers for the job. 

    Can I Host a Website Without A Domain Name?

    Yes, you can host a website without buying a domain name. 

    This is because free web hosts that permit you to host your website without a unique domain often do so using their own subdomains. For example, if your free web host is named www.tommyshosting.com, your website will show up as www.yourwebsitename.tommyshosting.com. 

    Here is an explanation of why this option is not recommended, and the reasons you should go for a unique domain name:

    • Credibility - A unique domain makes your brand look professional. 
    • Visibility - A relevant domain will create an online presence for your brand. 
    • Ownership - Your domain will remain yours regardless of whether you change the web host or relocate to a custom server. 
    • Branding - Your own domain will help you to build your brand by making it easy to remember.

    Wix 

    This free web host for entrepreneurs focuses on the design and offers many tools without requiring payment from you. The best thing about using this web host for your site without a domain is not only the fact that it is free but its ease of use.

    Wix offers a premium plan with a 14-day money-back guarantee so that you can upgrade your hosting when your business scales up. While you get an assigned URL with the free plan, the premium plan offers a custom domain you can switch to easily. 

    However, watch out for Wix ads on each page and the favicon of your web address. 

    Features: 

    • Subdomain URL: username.wixsite.com/siteaddress
    • Up to 500 MB Storage
    • Up to 500 MB Bandwidth
    • 99.9% uptime
    • Secure hosting 
    • Phone, chat and email support

    Weebly 

    Known for its intuitive drag-and-drop website builder, Weebly is a premium free web host for your site without a domain. It is a popular option for business owners without any coding background. Powering around 50 million websites today, its free plan is loaded with features. You can get lead capture mechanisms and contact forms even on the basic plan.

    If you need more resources and advanced features, Weebly also offers three more plans called Connect, Pro, and Business where you can get unlimited storage and google Ad credits for free. Watch out for its limited creative liberties when compared to Wix, as well as the pop-up ads. 

    Features: 

    • Assigned URL: www.yoursite.weebly.com 
    • Free SSL security
    • 500 MB storage 
    • SEO prompts 
    • 99.98% uptime 
    • Chat and email support

    iPage 

    While iPage does not offer any free hosting plans, it has several features starting from the basic plan that makes it an economical option. With a free site builder and $100 in Google ads, beginners and professionals will find this option worthwhile. You can be sure that your website will remain secure with the SiteLock free security scans too. Moreover, the basic plan starts with an ultra-affordable introductory rate of $1.99 per month. 

    Ideal for selling online, iPage is the best way to start a website without a domain name for small businesses. If you are still worried about spending money on something that might not be for you, its 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered.

    Features: 

    • Unlimited bandwidth
    • Unlimited email addresses 
    • Unlimited storage space
    • Free SSL Certificate
    • Free domain transfer
    • 1000+ free templates 
    • Ecommerce features 
    • 24/7 customer service

    Summing Up 

    You do not need a domain name of your own, but it is highly recommended that you get one. You never know how your business may develop and your own domain name will give you ownership and help you to establish your brand. While Wix and Weebly offer free plans, ads on your page may make your website look unprofessional. Starting with an affordable plan on iPage seems like it may be the best choice.