Need guidance to set up free WordPress.com subdomain

  • Unknown's avatar
    laxmisoddi45 · Member ·

    I’m trying to create a free website on WordPress.com for my portfolio. I don’t want to purchase a custom domain or paid plan right now — I only want to use the free WordPress subdomain (like laxmisoddi.wordpress.com).

    But when I select .com and even click on “Free,” it still takes me to checkout and asks me to pay annually. Could you please guide me on how I can directly select the free wordpress.com subdomain and start my site without being billed?

    Thank you,
    Laxmi Sanganabasappa Soddi

    WP.com: Yes
    Jetpack: No
    Correct account: Yes

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    elitegolfhub · Member ·

    I ran into this same issue when I first tried setting up a free WordPress.com site. The trick is to carefully choose the free subdomain option during setup, if you accidentally click on a paid domain (even if it looks free), it will push you to checkout. Try typing in your desired subdomain (like laxmisoddi.wordpress.com) and then scroll down to the very bottom of the domain options page, there should be a “Free” option in smaller text. Select that and it should let you continue without asking for payment.

  • Unknown's avatar
    himanshumehrawp · Member ·

    Need guidance to set up free WordPress.com subdomain

    It is a little tricky here

    1. On the WordPress.com site creation page, skip the custom domain step.
      • When asked to choose a domain, type your desired free address (like laxmisoddi) and select the option ending in wordpress.com (not .com, .net, etc.).
    2. If presented with upgrade plans, look for a tiny “Start with a free site” or “Skip purchase” link at the bottom of the page.
      • This option is often less prominent or uses “No thanks” wording.
      • The “Free” plan will often appear as the last or smallest button below the paid options.
    3. If you are still being taken to checkout:
      • Clear your browser cache or try a different browser.
      • Make sure you are not accidentally choosing a domain without “wordpress.com” at the end.
      • If you see only paid options, revisit https://wordpress.com/start and restart without selecting any paid features.
    4. Once successful, your site will be immediately live at the free subdomain, and you won’t be asked for payment.

    Note: WordPress.com strongly encourages upgrades by design, but a free subdomain is always available. If you keep seeing payment screens, it’s likely the custom domain (without wordpress.com) is pre-selected—return to the domain step, choose only the “wordpress.com” ending, and proceed carefully.

  • Unknown's avatar
    elcristofue · Member ·

    Hello @laxmisoddi45!

    I just checked your account and it looks like you’ve already created a free site using the address laxmisoddi.wordpress.com. Just to double-check, do you still need any help with this?

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