Using Free Domain

[ahmad99]

I just bought hosting pakcage from bluehost, and get one free domain.
I want use this free domain. How to use transfer my old domain to bluehost account?
Actually I already change nameserver this domain to bluehost.com?

[Early Out]

The first step is to point the nameservers to the BH nameservers, which are ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com. You can just leave it like that if you want, or you can wait until that change takes effect, then actually move the domain registration to BH (see the Control Panel, Transfer Domain). Don't try to do both things at the same time - it can get messed up very easily!

You've already paid for that domain registration, of course, so you can't somehow get your money back for it. If you transfer the registration and make that the primary domain on your BH account, I believe that registration renewals will be free, as long as you maintain your BH account. Alternatively, you could register a new domain with BH, and that one would be your "free" domain.

You should probably call BH (or use Live Chat) to work out exactly how you want to do this.

[felgall]

Your free domain will be the main domain for your account so you can set up the extra one as an add-on domain.

[jimberry]

EarlyOut wrote :
>>I believe that registration renewals will be free, as long as you maintain your BH account.


Is this still true?

A year ago, I recommended a friend to purchase hosting from BlueHost with the free domain. He purchased a two year plan. I would have assumed that the free domain name would apply at least to the two year initial purchase.

The offer was -
1 FREE Domain Registration good for the life of your hosting package.

His domain name is now in Redemption mode and he is having to pay $70 to redeem it.

Presumably, a reminder was sent to him, but it would have been sent to a now defunct address, as he neglected to change his contact details once his new account was established.

[TheMonkOfTheWest]

They now give you a "coupon" for one free domain name ($10). You can use this coupon on any domain (doesn't have to be your main domain); new or one you transfer the registration of to them. But if you do sign up with a new domain, then you're right, that will be the free domain.

You do have to have an active hosting account that's on a one year (or longer) plan and you do need to keep your contact information updated so you don't lose it and get stuck paying a redemption fee.

[Early Out]

Was the account started with a newly-registered domain, or did he transfer an existing domain to BH? If the latter, the domain registration term wouldn't coincide with the hosting agreement.

I've been with BH for over 3 years, and have never had to pay for registration of my primary domain. However, it is possible set your account for "manual renewal (with notification)" of the domain, so if you don't get the notification, you can miss it. It's critically important that you maintain good contact info on your domain registration.

[jimberry]

As I mentioned, it was a newly registered domain with the initial purchase of 2 years hosting.
I agree that he should have kept his contact details up to date but this was his first venture into anything computer related, and he wouldn't be the first "senior citizen" to be a bit overwhelmed by the seeming complexity.

"for the life of your hosting package" seems unequivocal to me???

[Early Out]

Yes, but domain registration renewal and hosting account renewal aren't the same thing. The domain registration renewal isn't automatic unless you choose that option - you have to say, "Yes, I want to renew the domain."

Your friend should probably contact BH support directly to thrash this out - this is a user-to-user forum, not an official BH support site, so we can't resolve problems like this.

[jimberry]

Yes, but domain registration renewal and hosting account renewal aren't the same thing. The domain registration renewal isn't automatic unless you choose that option - you have to say, "Yes, I want to renew the domain."

"Automatic" or "manual" renewal of either hosting or domain shouldn't be an issue until next year, since he took the 2 year package. As far as he was aware, the package was for two years, for both the hosting and the Domain registration.

Your friend should probably contact BH support directly to thrash this out - this is a user-to-user forum, not an official BH support site, so we can't resolve problems like this.

He has of course done just that. But he is struggling to make sense of the responses (not a native English speaker).
I have also opened a ticket to try to explain his problems to BH, but am still waiting for a response (after more than 24 hrs)

I was not expecting a resolution from this forum, I was asking how other users interpret the "Free domain" offer.

[Early Out]

Actually, it could be an issue. If the domain registration is for one year, but the hosting is for two, but you fail to renew the domain after one year.... It may be free, but if you don't exercise the option, the domain registration expires nonetheless.

Instead of opening a ticket, use Live Chat (big blue button on the main bluehost.com page). The ticket system is sometimes fine, but at other times, not so good.

[jimberry]

Instead of opening a ticket, use Live Chat .

Actually he has tried both, tried to pay the $70 and couldn't get the shopping cart to accept his credit card, used the telephone but because of the time difference between USA and AUS, got a night shift person who needed to refer on to a supervisor on the day shift.
Maybe he'll get a return call after going to bed tonight AUS time :D

[Early Out]

It may simply be time to call in an airstrike. ;)

[jimberry]

Update -
This morning BH Help desk replied to my ticket with the news that Domain Specialist James had managed to recover the Domain registration without the need for the Redemption fee. Full marks to BH for making the effort to assist a perplexed novice.

I wish I could report that the perplexed novice was suitably grateful, but alas - some people can't get past the thought that the whole world is out to cheat them. I don't think I'll bother next time.

[Early Out]

I wish I could report that the perplexed novice was suitably grateful, but alas - some people can't get past the thought that the whole world is out to cheat them.
Well, remember that just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean there isn't someone following you around. :D

Glad it worked out well.

[jimberry]

Well, it worked out well for me.

Since I was supportive of BH and suggested that "perplexed novice" was being unfair in his criticism, I am now regarded as unfriendly, so probably will not in future be required to respond to pleas for help over the phone.
As these usually resulted in prolonged (2hrs+) sessions, this seems like a good result for me ;-) probably not so good for BH :-(