Does Bluehost Come with Free Domain and SSL? (2025 Answer)

If you’re thinking about starting a blog or business website, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:

“Does Bluehost include a free domain name and SSL certificate?”

The short answer? Yes, Bluehost includes both—and that’s one of the reasons it’s still one of the most beginner-friendly hosting providers in 2025.

In this post, you’ll learn:

What exactly Bluehost gives you for free
How long the free domain lasts and what happens after
What kind of SSL is included and why it’s important
How to activate both on your website
Whether there are any hidden costs to be aware of

Let’s break it down.

Table of Contents

✅ Yes, Bluehost Includes a Free Domain Name (1st Year)

When you sign up for any Bluehost hosting plan—including their $1.99/month Basic plan (83% off)—you get a free domain name for the first year.

This saves you around $10 to $15 upfront, which you’d otherwise pay to register your domain separately.

🔍 How It Works:

You choose your domain during signup (e.g., yourbrand.com)
It’s registered through Bluehost at no extra cost for the first year
Domain extensions like .com, .net, .org, .online, and more are available
After the first year, standard renewal fees apply (typically $17.99/year)

💡 You can also skip this step during signup and assign a domain later—or connect one from another provider like GoDaddy or Namecheap.

👉 Ready to claim your free domain + hosting deal?

🎯 Get Bluehost at $1.99/month + Free Domain for 1 Year
Includes hosting, SSL, WordPress, email, and 24/7 support—perfect for beginners launching their first site.

Want the best value out of your Bluehost subscription? This complete Bluehost plan guide walks you through what’s included in each tier. You can save more using this active Bluehost discount code.

✅ Yes, Bluehost Includes a Free SSL Certificate (Let’s Encrypt)

Along with your free domain, Bluehost also provides a free SSL certificate with every hosting plan—including the Basic plan at $1.99/month.

This is a must-have for any website in 2025.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the data between your website and your visitors, displaying a secure padlock icon 🔒 in the browser. It also ensures your website starts with https:// instead of http://.

🔍 Why SSL Is Important:

✅ Google favors SSL-enabled sites in search results (confirmed ranking factor)
✅ Browsers like Chrome show “Not Secure” warnings without it
✅ SSL protects login credentials, forms, payments, and user data
✅ Builds trust and credibility for your brand or blog
✅ Essential for compliance (especially if you collect emails or payments)

Bluehost automatically installs Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for free during your site setup. No technical steps required.

💡 This free SSL renews automatically every 90 days, so your site stays protected year-round without manual effort.

🔒 Can You Upgrade the SSL Later?

Yes. If you need advanced features like:

Wildcard SSL (for subdomains)
Dedicated IP + premium SSL
EV (Extended Validation) for enterprises

Bluehost offers paid SSL upgrades through your dashboard. But for most blogs, small business sites, and online stores, the free version is more than enough.

👉 Ready to launch your website with a free domain + SSL?

💥 Get Bluehost for $1.99/month (83% OFF) – Includes Free Domain + SSL
Perfect for bloggers, creators, freelancers, and first-time business websites.

Conclusion: Bluehost Free Domain and SSL – Final Verdict

If you’re just getting started online, choosing a hosting provider that gives you everything you need in one place—without extra costs or technical headaches—is a huge win.

And Bluehost delivers exactly that.

Here’s what you get with every Bluehost plan (starting at just $1.99/month):

✅ Free domain name for 1 year (saves ~$15)
✅ Free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt
✅ 1-click WordPress install
✅ Free email, CDN, and malware scanning
✅ 24/7 expert support

Whether you’re launching a blog, portfolio, small business site, or online store, these features give you a professional and secure online presence from day one.

💡 You don’t need to buy your domain separately or install SSL manually—it’s all handled for you.

🔥 Ready to Claim Your Free Domain + SSL?

👉 Launch Your Website with Bluehost at $1.99/month (83% Off)
Includes: Hosting + Free Domain + Free SSL + WordPress + Support
Start building your site today—with zero technical guesswork.

Read Detailed Review of Bluehost Hosting Services

FAQs: Bluehost Free Domain and SSL

Does Bluehost include a free domain name?

Yes. Bluehost gives you a free domain for the first year with any hosting plan. After that, standard renewal rates apply.

Is the SSL certificate included forever?

Yes. Bluehost installs a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate automatically and renews it every 90 days for ongoing protection.

Do I need to install SSL manually on Bluehost?

No. Bluehost handles SSL installation automatically during site setup—no action required.

Can I connect my own domain instead of claiming the free one?

Absolutely. If you already own a domain from another provider, you can easily connect it during or after Bluehost signup.

Does Bluehost Come with Free Domain and SSL? (2025 Update)