Free Hosting or do I need a domain?

[CrazieKaren]

I'm just getting started in a 'net business, been working on it for a few months and just found this site. I'm trying to do this on no budget, and feel like I'm reinventing the wheel! I know I need to do a lot more work on my site, just need help deciding if I should continue with this free one or reasons to spring for a domain and paid hosting.

If you'd like to give my site a checkover, I'd sure appreciate it too. I've been reading the 'submit your site for review' forum, and did the checks, and don't understand them. It had major errors on the validation? site, but I've no clue how to fix them. Might have something to do with being a free site?

Thanks Bunches!
Karen

[Jeff Colburn]

Hi Karen,

I always suggest that anyone who is running a business, or for some other reason wants to be taken seriously, that they have their own domain name and paid hosting. Since registering a domain costs about $15 a year and web hosting is between $5 and $10 a month, it's nothing that will break the bank. Or you can stay on the free site until you start making money. The choice is really up to you.

Your site looks fine, but I would suggest setting up a PayPal account (it's free) instead of having people e-mail their orders to you. By using PayPal's shopping cart they could order all kinds of things from you website.

I would also suggest that you read my articles on website design at http://www.creativecauldron.com/Webs...Articles.shtml as you will find answers to many of your questions.

Have Fun,
Jeff

[CrazieKaren]

Hi Jeff, thanks a lot!! I read all your articles, very informative!! I'm learning a lot from you and others here, love these forums!

BTW, thought I'd let you know I found a few typo's, not sure where all, but almost 1 per page of the articles and other pages I read. A few omited words too. I thought it humorous reflecting on that while reading your cross your i's and dot your t's page!!

Thanks Bunches!!
Karen

[janeth]

Hi Karen and welcome to the forum,

I would get a host and domain name. Like Jeff said the cost is very little.

Lets say you do a lot of work on your site get it ranked in the top for your keywords and something happenes to your host.

As it is now you would loose everything.

Owning your own domain name lets you move to another host if there is a problem.

[CrazieKaren]

Thank You Janeth, the more I think about it, the more I want to get one too, I'm in the process of debating domain names right now. I'm checking out hosts, and the more I look, the more confused I get! What's the scoop on Bravenet? They look simple, I'm thinking seriously about going with them. I need something that's gonna be easy to set up, WYSIWYG type. And getting a domain name is kinda scary to me, I don't know anyone who's done it in real person, and no matter how much I read about others experiences, I'm still nervous about it.

Karen

[MarcieZoob]

A good place to start is DotEasy - you can register a domain name for one year for only $25 and it comes with free hosting and email. For a freebie, they have great tech support and learning tools.