TL;DR: WordPress.com requires a paid plan for custom domains. The free workaround: redirect your domain to your
yoursite.wordpress.comURL using Domain-Forward.com (free plan). HTTPS included, 5-minute setup.
You built a site on WordPress.com’s free plan. You have a domain you want to use. WordPress.com tells you to upgrade to a paid plan ($4+/month) just to connect it.
You don’t need to pay for WordPress.com’s domain mapping. A domain redirect sends visitors from your custom domain to your WordPress.com URL. The only difference: visitors see yoursite.wordpress.com in the browser bar after landing. For a blog, portfolio, or simple business site, that’s fine.
How It Works
Your WordPress.com free site lives at:
https://yoursite.wordpress.comYou want visitors who type yourdomain.com to land there. A redirect makes this happen.
Setup (5 Minutes)
Step 1: Find your WordPress.com URL
Log into WordPress.com. Your site URL is yoursite.wordpress.com. Copy this.
Step 2: Sign up at Domain-Forward.com
Free, no credit card.
Step 3: Add your redirect
- Source:
yourdomain.com(add both root andwww) - Destination:
https://yoursite.wordpress.com - Type: 301 (permanent)
Step 4: Update DNS at your registrar
| Record Type | Host | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ (root) | 138.68.125.144 |
| CNAME | www | edge.domain-forward.com |
For registrar guides: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger, Bluehost, IONOS.
Step 5: Wait and test
DNS propagation: 1-4 hours. SSL certificate is provisioned automatically. Test both http:// and https:// versions with our redirect tester tool.
WordPress.com Paid vs. Domain Redirect Comparison
| Feature | WordPress.com Paid (Domain Mapping) | Domain Redirect (Domain-Forward.com) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $48+/year | Free |
| Domain in browser bar | Yes | No (shows wordpress.com) |
| HTTPS | Yes | Yes (automatic SSL) |
| WordPress.com ads removed | With higher plans only | No (free plan still shows ads) |
| Setup time | 10-15 min | 5 min |
| Works if you switch platforms | No (WordPress-specific) | Yes (redirect to any URL) |
When to Upgrade vs. When a Redirect Is Enough
Redirect is enough when:
- It’s a personal blog or simple portfolio
- You share the domain on social media or business cards
- You don’t care about the address bar
- You’re testing before committing financially
Upgrade when:
- SEO is critical (you want the domain in Google’s index)
- You want WordPress.com ads removed
- Professional appearance in the URL bar matters
- You need other Premium features
Stop Paying for a Feature You Can Get Free
WordPress.com’s domain mapping is a paid gatekeeper to a basic feature. A redirect gives your audience the same experience — they type your domain and land on your content.
Create your free account, paste your WordPress.com URL, update two DNS records. Save $48+/year. Email keeps working — only web traffic records change.