Free domain name and free webhsoting from Microsoft!

[cesarian]

Yes, you can get a free domain name and free webhosting from Microsoft. Take a look at http://officelive.microsoft.com/.

Microsoft offer 3 plans. All of them are still in beta version. The first one is Office Live Basic, you can get free domain name and free webhosting during and after the beta version. So 100% free!

The second and the third are Office Live Collaboration and Office Live Essential. Both of them are free during the beta version but you have to pay after the beta version. So I am not recommend you to try these plans if you do not want to pay later.

Unfortunately it is now only available for United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan. So I can’t register because I live in the Netherlands, I hope they soon add Netherlands in the country list. For United States you can visit http://officelive.microsoft.com/ and for another countries you can visit http://officelive.microsoft.com/Misc/Links.aspx?linkId=ww.

It is great that microsoft give free domain name and free webhosting. I really like it, it give chance to people to start their own website. I only hope that they soon add more countries to their list so there will be more people that can get free domain name and free webhosting.

 

[xxll_martin_llxx]

Thanks for the link.
I tried signing up for this and it worked ok but you need credit card details so they can ensure that there's no fraudulent activity etc etc. I was unable to carry on with the sign up process

 

[cesarian]

With credit card? I can't then also not signup if it is available fro Netherlands. I guess I have to find another way to get free domain name. Thanks for your information xxll_martin_llxx.

 

[JasMate]

mmm, willl they take Australia? I didn't see a list of countries, can you tell me where you say the country list.

 

[piet]

will it stay free?

or do you have to pay for the hosting when the beta is over?

 

[cesarian]

You can see the country list at http://officelive.microsoft.com/Misc/Links.aspx?linkId=ww
and if you choose Office Live Basic you do not have to pay if after beta.

 

[meljr]

A while back I did this website with them:

http://space-blankets.com/default.aspx

But you can't put much into it, you can not transfer or sell the name.
I just left it to fate and Have not done anything with the name.
I wonder if it will ever expire, or what will happen to the name if I just drop it?

meljr

 

[navjotjsingh]

Is that Powered by Office Live Logo compulsory to show on the site?

 

[meljr]

As I remember, you get several "Layouts" to choose from, and they are all pretty much present with the Office Live Logo.
meljr

 

[navjotjsingh]

So if we choose our own layout then its not compulsory? Right?

 

[meljr]

Navjot, that is one thing I didn't like about the free service. You were limited by their layouts. What a bummer! Maybe this is changed, I don't know, as it was several months ago I tired them???

Also as I was saying before, it looked to me like the domain name would always belong to them.

meljr

 

[lilgee]

Just to let the onces who dont know, This is old news. We have had this topic before.

 

[cesarian]

I think you can transfer the domain. Look at http://officelive.microsoft.com/Support.aspx?scpf=faq

Q: If I register my domain name through Microsoft Office Live, can I later transfer it somewhere else?

A: Your domain name will be registered with Melbourne IT, our domain name registrar, with you as the registrant (owner). If you cancel the Office Live service, you maintain full control of your domain name through the Web site of Melbourne IT (www.melbourneit.com.au/). However, you cannot transfer your domain name to another registrar for 60 days after signing up with Office Live. Note that once you cancel your Microsoft Office Live subscription, you are responsible for paying the annual registration fee for the domain name.

I did not know that there was already a thread about this.