How to redeem your free .com or .co.uk domain name

If you use Rapid Formations to register your limited company, you will receive a complimentary .com or .co.uk domain name as part of your company formation package. Registering your domain name is a key step to getting your business online, and straight after your formation is the ideal time to do this.

So, how do you go about claiming the perfect domain name to match your new company name? Let’s take a look.

We’ll email you as soon as your company has been formed

Immediately after your company has been registered at Companies House, you’ll receive an email with the subject line ‘Rapid Formations: Order Ref XXXXXXXX Order Fulfilment’. This email includes various information about your new company, plus a link to our dedicated Names.co.uk (our domain name partners) page and your unique voucher code.

Not received your email? No problem. First of all, check your junk folder. If you still can’t locate the email, just get in touch and we’ll resend this to you. It’s worth having, as it contains some important company information.

Now, let’s redeem your free domain

You have 30 days to redeem your voucher from the date of receiving the initial email mentioned above. To claim your ideal domain name, we recommend doing this as soon as possible.

Locate the email and scroll down to the ‘Free .com or .co.uk domain name’ section. Here you will find your 8-letter code and the link to Names.co.uk. Copy the code and click on the link:

You’ll be directed to a Rapid Formations branded version of the Names.co.uk homepage. From here you can enter the name of the domain that you wish to reserve.

Struggling for inspiration? No problem, Names.co.uk have written an article on choosing the ideal domain name for your business.

When you have decided, type in your chosen domain and select ‘Search domains’:

Hopefully, your domain name is available. If it is, great. If it isn’t, simply try an alternative domain name.

When you have found a domain name that is available, the next step is to choose whether you want a .co.uk or .com. Choose your domain extension by selecting the ‘Add’ button. If you want to unselect an extension, click on the ‘Added’ button. Then, when you’re ready, select ‘Proceed to Basket’:

Work your way through the process, being sure to add or remove any extras (these will require payment at the end of the process). Continue to select ‘Proceed to Basket’ as and when you’re ready to move on:

You will soon reach the ‘Basket Summary’ page. Review your order and then, in the ‘Enter voucher code here’ box, paste the code that you copied from your email and select ‘Confirm’:

Your discount will be applied, and the price next to your domain will change to ‘1 year for FREE’. Your total cost will be displayed as ‘FREE’ unless you have added any extras.

If you already have an account, click ‘Login’. If you don’t have an account, select ‘Create an account’:

And that’s it! Provide the necessary account information and Names.co.uk will then email you to confirm that your domain name has been registered.

Has your complimentary code expired?

If you formed your limited company more than 30 days ago and did not redeem your free .com or .co.uk domain name, please get in touch.

So there you have it

That’s how you redeem your free .com or .co.uk domain name.

As mentioned, we recommend securing your domain name as soon as possible – even if you have no intention of trading online in the near future (or at all). This is to ensure the name is ready and waiting for you (and to stop someone else from taking it).

We hope you found this post helpful. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.