Do I Use A Free Or Paid Hosting Plan?
When artists and freelance writers first start out
, they try to cut as many corners as possible when it comes to promoting their businesses. After all, the money isn't yet coming in. One area that they scrimp on is their websites (or blogs). Personally, I think that's a big mistake.
A website (or blog) can be your biggestand most cost-effectivemarketing tool. It works for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It works for you when you go on vacation, when you sleep, and even when you're feeling ill. It even eliminates the need for "what do you do" type meetings because it tells potential clients (or customers) what services you offer, what products you have for sale, and how they can be purchased.
If you cannot afford to hire a web designer, start out on a free blogging platform. But here's the catch, don't drive all your traffic to that free blogging platform. Drive traffic to your own domain name.
For less than $10 per year, you can own your very own domain name and have it redirected to your free blogging platform.
Here are four reasons why you'd want to do this:
Owning a domain name shows that you are willing to invest in your company and thus, willing to invest in your customers and/or clients.
A domain name looks far more professional on your business card and advertisements.
A domain name protects your business' identity. You'd be surprised at how many unscrupulous people are willing to buy up your company name and use it to their advantage.
If you're heavily marketing your business off- or on- line and you don't have a domain name (and your business isn't trademarked), someone else can purchase a domain name with your company name and tailgate on all your hard workporn sites are famous for this, as are Internet scammers.
A domain name is shorter and easier to remember which means visitors have a good chance of remembering you and coming back for a second look. This is important because statistics show that it takes buyers up to seven times of viewing your product or service before they'll even consider buying.
Though you may decide to keep your blog on a free blogging platform, you should seriously consider saving up for a website and using that website in all your marketing efforts.
Buying web space from a web host is one of the best things you can do for your business because the only way you'll lose that space on the 'net is if you forget to renew your contract. Which means that you'll never have to fear losing all that traffic you've built up should your free blogging platform go out of business or change their terms of use.
Take a look at how Claudine Hellmuth uses a website (http://www.claudinehellmuth.com/) with a paid host to drive traffic to her business, then uses a free blogging platform (http://claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com/) to keep her clients and fans up-to-date on the happenings in her business.
Then take a look at the articles I've written on domain names, here:
http://thedabblingmum.com/business/domainnames/index.htmIn the end, owning your own domain name and web space gives you more flexibility and control over your business.
Do I Use A Free Or Paid Hosting Plan?
By: Alyice Edrich
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