When you buy a shared hosting plan they offer 1 free domain name for life. Lets say i go with host monster and i get the free domain name since i signed up for 1 year. What happens to the domain name if after the year is up i decide to go to another hosting or upgrade my hosting to dedicated with another company? Will i still keep the rights to the domain name for life? Will it be free to keep? Will i have to pay yearly once im done with host monster? Or will host monster keep my domain name hostage?
Well, it depends. You will need to check directly with the web host concerned. Some would register the domain name in their name and use that to ensure you never leave them and if you do, they will hold your domain name for a king's ransom. Some will transfer the domain name to you after a year. Some will register it under your name. Domain name are dirt cheap these days and if you plan to keep the domain name for more than a year then just pay the few dollars and registered it under your name. You be happier if you do so.