Why You Need Your Own Domain Name

Perhaps you thought you'd just start small and didn't
really need your own domain name. So you found a host
that offered subdomains and didn't have to spend money
on domain name registration. You get your URL put on your
business cards and brochures and start handing them out.

I am a potential customer. I've got your brochure and it
looks interesting. I think I'll check out your website.
I type in the URL, which is something like
[www.geotowns.com/Heartland/Prairieville/85487/] and
hit enter. Oops, page not found. I must have typed it in
wrong. Let me try again. Hmmm, still not found. Oh well, I
have another site bookmarked that offers the same thing.
I'll just go there. How many customers are you willing to
lose this way?

I am another potential customer whom you just met at a
party. We've been discussing our businesses. You politely
ask for my URL. I say, "It's virtually designed dot com."
Of course, I ask for yours in return, and you say, "It's
geotowns dot com slash Heartland slash prairieville slash
85487." I've forgotten yours before you even finish saying
it. You go home and type mine in and enjoy visiting my
wonderful sight.

If you are serious about your business, invest in your own
domain name. Your business name works well. If they can
remember the name of your business, they will remember
your URL. Make it easy on your customers and stay away
from the dashes and slashes. Domain name registration has
never been cheaper, thanks to the recent deregulation of
the domain name registration business. So do yourself and
your customers a favor and move on up to your own domain.