What's in a Name?

Have you ever visited a website (possibly one you saw advertised in an email or through a link on another site) that did not have its own Domain Name? For instance, was the address of the site something along the lines of.... http://members.freehost.com/~business24701/... or anything similar to that? (note that link is made up). Of course you have! We've all visited sites hosted on these "cost-free hosts" at some point or another :o) HEY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH FREE? Now don't get me wrong... there is nothing wrong with "free hosts" so to speak. They can be a great resouce for beginners at web site design to post their initial work on or for family members to post vacation pictures to share with Grandma and Gramps... those are all excellent uses of these "free hosts". http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com THINK HOW YOU WOULD FEEL... But I want you to think back for a minute and recall the feelings you had while you were at one of those "free hosted sites". Regardless of how well-designed and great looking the site was, you still had a subconcious impression at the back of your mind that said something along the lines of, "This site is nice, but I can see by the fact of it being hosted on this 'free host' that the owner doesn't place a lot of VALUE on his own site.... so why should I?"... http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com Basically when it comes down to it, I want you to imagine that you are a prospective customer, considering purchasing an item online from one of these "free hosted sites"... I'm guessing that at this point you are having serious second thoughts, am I right? ...GETTING TO THE POINT :o) When a prospective customer is deciding whether to make a purchase at your site, one "strong consideration" they will make is on your Domain Name (or lack there-of). I am not saying that "what" the domain name is matters so much as "the existence" of the domain name. People look for that clean-cut .com or .net (etc) and if it is not present, they will strongly reconsider entrusting you with their credit card information.