Should You Use Free Websites?

If you're considering using free websites, there are a few things you should know. Don't be fooled by the company's claims of all you can do with your new site.

The fact remains: a free site is NOT a real website. It is not a stand alone site. Therefore, you will not have the same flexibility you'll have with a paid one.

Keep this in mind if you're choosing a free site:

• It will be a subdomain of the hosting company's site.
• You will not own the domain.
• They can be very difficult to monetize.
• You will not have complete control over the look and feel.
• They can be difficult to optimize for search engines.
• You might have to put up with unwanted advertising on your pages.

Despite these limitations, free websites may have some benefit.

Here are some good uses and reasons for creating a free website:

• As a temporary website.
  If you only need a temporary presence on the web, say for one single event, or a wedding, or baby shower, than a free site may be good. Rather than spending the time and money registering a domain and paying for hosting, just put up a free site.


• For SEO Purposes.
  I have had some success using free hosting to boost rankings and links to my primary websites. I've read of other webmasters doing the same. However, you should be very careful before you decide to use a free service for SEO purposes. If you're not careful, it could do more harm than good.


• A quick and easy way to get an online presence
  Perhaps you only want to showcase some of your artwork. Or maybe you just need a place to put your resume or other personal information. If your website's purpose is not to generate traffic or sales, then build a free one.


• You don't have the time, money, or resources to run a conventional website.
  If for whatever reason you can't afford five dollars a month for hosting fees. Or if you can't find a few minutes a week to keep your website updated. Or if you really don't care how your website performs, then don't waste your efforts on a real website. Just build a free one and forget about it.

Have you decided that a free site is the way to go? If so, you owe it to yourself to get as much information as possible.

Here are a couple of resources you should use before you run off and sign up for free service.

1. Create A Free Website: Pros And Cons - Read this extensive list of the good and bad aspects of free sites. Discover why I think they may not be a good idea. And find out why they just might work out for you after all.
2. Make A Free Site With These Reviews - I reviewed several free webhosting companies, and noted what I liked and didn't like. This may be the only place on the net where you can get unbiased ratings of free web hosting services.

Now that you have the knowledge, you can make an informed decision.

Related Articles:

Registering A Website
Build A Free Business Website

Twitch's cool info: "Stop being cheap. Man-up and get a real website. Get SiteSell."

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