| I have to be honest. So far, I have not really had | | | | your domain name and hosting with the same |
| any difficulty getting clients of ours to get their own | | | | company, but it's still a fraction of what it used to be. |
| domain. In fact, in many cases, they already had a | | | | (And I've found having the domain name and hosting |
| domain. But I have heard of others having to | | | | with the same company is well worth the few extra |
| describe the benefits of having your own domain. | | | | dollars.) |
| First off, let's start out with a question. What is a | | | | 3. You can use the domain for your email address. |
| domain? When we're talking about a domain, we're | | | | Let's face it, webdesigner165768 @ (not a real |
| actually talking about what is technically a top-level | | | | address) does not look nearly as professional. And |
| domain (TLD). In Google's website, the TLD is google | | | | while free web based email is certainly useful for |
| . com. In hometown.aol.com/catspawpress/Dzine.html, | | | | many things, it should not be used for businesses. To |
| the TLD is | | | | a certain degree, this goes back to the issue of |
| So when I say that as a business or organization, | | | | perceived permanency. |
| you should have your own domain, I'm really saying | | | | In fact, there is more permanency in that your email |
| you should have your own top-level domain. | | | | address will never have to change. Even if you switch |
| Let's go through some of the reasons now that you | | | | hosts, your domain name stays the same. |
| should have your own domain: | | | | 4. It's easier to remember. geocities.com/SiliconValley |
| 1. It demonstrates permanency. Regardless of the | | | | 7116 is a lot harder to remember than something like |
| nature of your business, having a site hosted by | | | | 5. It will rank a lot higher in search engines. A lot |
| AngelFire or AOL or any of the free hosts makes | | | | higher. |
| web surfers cringe. If you're not willing to spring for | | | | 6. No one else can claim it. I've talked to a realtor |
| the domain name, are you really going to be around | | | | who had this problem. Another realtor in her area |
| that long? | | | | actually had the same name as her, and purchased a |
| It's the same thing as having a permanent office. | | | | domain with that name. The realtor I spoke with lost |
| Whether it's actually true or not, it causes people to | | | | several clients who mistakenly went to the other |
| attribute more permanency to your business. | | | | realtor, then ended up just using her. |
| 2. It's affordable. Really affordable. If you bought a | | | | Even if you're not quite ready to get a website, you |
| website address in the late 90's or so, you had to | | | | should go ahead and buy a domain for your business. |
| pay $75 or more per year for a domain. While this | | | | It's really easy to do, and you can "park" your |
| was still reasonable for many organizations, for | | | | domain. This means a temporary page will be |
| smaller businesses, it simply wasn't worth the money. | | | | displayed that says something like "website coming |
| Now, however, domains can be purchased for much | | | | soon." Then, at least no one else can stake their |
| less. As little as $7 a year, in fact. Some places | | | | claim on it. |
| charge a little bit more for the convenience of having | | | | |