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

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

If you’re wondering “Does Bluehost come with a free domain and SSL certificate?”, the answer is yes—and that’s just the beginning of what makes Bluehost a top choice for beginners and WordPress users in 2025. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Bluehost’s free domain offer, SSL certificate availability, and how long these perks last. You’ll also learn answers to common queries like:

  • Is the free domain available on all Bluehost plans?
  • How long do you get the free domain for?
  • What type of SSL does Bluehost provide?
  • Do you need to manually install SSL on Bluehost?
  • Is Bluehost’s SSL enough for eCommerce and Google ranking?

Whether you’re launching your first blog or building a business site, understanding these free features can help you make the most of Bluehost’s value-packed hosting. Let’s dive into the details so you can decide if Bluehost is the right hosting provider for your website in 2025.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Bluehost Free Domain and SSL Review
Bluehost Free Domain and SSL Review 2025

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.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

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.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not Using Bluehost Yet? Here’s Why You Should Start with It Today

Before we dive deeper into whether Bluehost SEO Tools Starter is worth it, let’s address something more important: if you’re not already hosting your website with Bluehost, you might be missing out on the perfect foundation for SEO success.

Bluehost is one of the most trusted hosting platforms, officially recommended by WordPress.org, and it’s designed to help beginners and small business owners grow their online presence with ease. From speed and security to SEO readiness—Bluehost has everything built-in to set your site up for success.

bluehost customer reviews

Here’s why starting with Bluehost gives you a major advantage:

  • ✅ Optimized for WordPress and search engines right out of the box
  • ✅ Free domain name and SSL for the first year—saving you upfront costs
  • ✅ One-click WordPress install with easy onboarding
  • ✅ Free CDN, automatic caching, and 99.99% uptime
  • ✅ 24/7 expert support to guide you whenever you need help
  • ✅ And yes — access to the SEO Tools Starter kit to supercharge your rankings

Pro Tip: Hosting your site on a slow or unoptimized server can kill your chances of ranking on Google—no matter how good your content is. That’s why starting with the right hosting matters as much as your SEO efforts.

Ready to give your website the best possible start?

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

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.

Read Detailed Review of Bluehost Hosting Services

Final Verdict: Why Bluehost’s Free Domain & SSL Make It the Best Hosting Choice in 2025

When launching a website, two essentials you simply can’t ignore are a custom domain name and an SSL certificate. With Bluehost, you get both for free—saving time, money, and setup headaches.

Why These Free Features Matter

  • Free Domain Name:
    Normally costs $12–$15/year. With Bluehost, it’s 100% free for the first year, helping you start your website with a professional web address at zero extra cost.
  • Free SSL Certificate (HTTPS):
    Crucial for security, SEO, and user trust. Google prioritizes HTTPS-enabled sites in search results, and browsers now warn visitors when a site is “Not Secure.” Bluehost includes SSL by default on all plans—no manual installation or extra charges.

Why Bluehost Beats the Competition

  • Many hosting companies offer cheap plans but charge extra for SSL and domain registration. Bluehost bundles them in—no hidden fees.
  • Their onboarding is beginner-friendly, with 1-click WordPress install, auto-updates, and a clean dashboard.
  • You’re also backed by 24/7 expert support, enhanced cPanel, and an infrastructure built to scale with your site.

If you want to start strong, look professional, and save money upfront, Bluehost offers unmatched value in 2025.
With a free domain, free SSL, and a platform officially recommended by WordPress, it’s the smartest choice for beginners, bloggers, and small businesses.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Save over $30 instantly and enjoy worry-free hosting from day one.

FAQs – Is Bluehost Free Domain and SSL Worth it?

Is Bluehost’s free domain really free?

Yes, Bluehost provides a 100% free domain for the first year when you sign up for any of their hosting plans. After the first year, standard domain renewal charges apply, typically around $12–$15/year.

What kind of SSL certificate does Bluehost offer?

Bluehost offers a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for free with all plans. It automatically encrypts your website, activates HTTPS, and helps improve your site’s SEO and trustworthiness.

Do I need to manually install the SSL certificate with Bluehost?

No. The SSL certificate is automatically installed and activated when you set up your website. Bluehost handles the technical setup for you.

Is the free domain available on all Bluehost plans?

Yes, the free domain is included with all shared, WordPress, and WooCommerce hosting plans, as long as you choose a 12-month or longer billing cycle.

How much money do I actually save with Bluehost’s free domain and SSL?

You save around $30–$50 in total—about $12–$15 on the domain name and another $15–$30 per year on the SSL certificate, which many other hosts charge separately for.

Is Bluehost’s free SSL enough for an eCommerce site?

Yes, for small to medium eCommerce stores, the free SSL from Let’s Encrypt is sufficient. It provides the encryption needed for secure transactions and customer trust.

Can I use my existing domain with Bluehost instead of the free one?

Absolutely. If you already own a domain, you can connect it to your Bluehost account and still benefit from their free SSL and hosting features.

Is Bluehost free SSL permanent or does it expire?

The SSL certificate is auto-renewed as long as your hosting plan is active, so you never have to worry about downtime or manual updates.

Can I upgrade to a premium SSL on Bluehost later?

Yes. Bluehost also offers paid SSL options (like PositiveSSL or wildcard SSL) if you want additional features such as warranty protection or coverage for multiple subdomains.

Is Bluehost worth it just for the free domain and SSL?

Absolutely—especially for beginners and bloggers. These two features alone save money and simplify setup, but combined with Bluehost’s reliability, ease of use, and WordPress integration, it becomes a complete hosting solution for long-term growth.

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