Google, in partnership with HostGator, FISME and ICICI Bank is offering free registration of .in domain name along with web hosting for people in India. Full support with Google Apps will also be available for the domain management for 1 year.
The program is named as India Get Your Business Online. For this, HostGator will provide hosting service, site building tool, and support. However, you can move the domain to any other registration service provider after the initial 60 days time.
Since this program is free only for 1 year, you’ll have to renew the services after completion of the period. A nominal fee (renewal price is not declared) will be charged for renewal of the service. However, after 1 year, if you choose not to renew your domain with HostGator, it will be released and can be registered by anyone. Before the end of that year, you can transfer the domain away from HostGator for free. HostGator will provide you with the EPP code needed for the domain transfer without any charges.
Integration of Google Apps provides you full access to Gmail, Google Analytics, Webmaster Tools, Google Docs and more Google website products. You will also get a free coupon of worth ₹2500 advertising trial from Google Ad Words to help promote your site.
How to get started
Go to HostGator website and check if your desired .in domain name is available or not. If it is available, go to next step and fill out the registration form. Here you have to give an ID document and it is mandatory for all. Any one of these three documents are valid.
#1 Permanent Account Number (PAN)
#2 Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN)
#3 Corporate Identity Number (CIN)
Since these numbers are unique for every individual or business, you can’t register more than one domain under this scheme. Here is a video shared by India Get Online team.
This is a great initiative from Google. I personally advice to attempt for this free service. For any problem you can contact HostGator support toll free number 1800-266-3000.