I was meeting with a new client today (will announce his name as soon as site is complete) at a new local coffeehouse - and afterwards I had the opportunity to chat with the owner. When I mentioned I loved the space there and want to have more client meetings there, she of course asked what I did for a living... I told her I designed websites. She said she hated the computer and has some "free" thing started on Homestead and that her "accountant was working on it"....

Of course, at this point I swallow hard and smile. I love my accountant (acutally CPA, Julie Steele, www.gustafsoncpas.com - she's awesome!) but I wouldn't put my website in her hands! All my money...yes! My branding / comporate image / internet presence..NO! Would you let your lawyer cut your hair? Or your hairdresser remove your gallbladder? And then there's the "free" companies...

I'm not one to talk down about any other company - my clients will back me on that. It just slays me that people think they are getting something "free" or "cheap"  because they are uninformed.

She isn't the first - I'm sure you've all found the "FREE WEBSITES!" banner somewhere and been tempted, if not taken in... "free" is seldom free - and if it is it's not necessarily good.

Most of these "free hosting" companies are only free:

•  for a certain number of months OR
• with advertising OR
• if you use their domain name in the site (like www.homestead.com/mybusiness or www.mybusiness/homestead.com). That package is only free for 30 days then it's $4.99 a month (comparable to other companies)

if you want a domain name it'll cost you - way more than $10. If you want your own name with an email address and hosting it's $140 for the first SIX months! (and $24/month after that) - that $140 would be my company's fees for a full year, including the domain name and email (heck, I even set them up for my clients - for free!)

Feeling "homey" yet? Well, then at the "starter" level you only get 30 days phone support - and at the "gold" you get 90 days! Wow! Of course, unless I sign up for an account I can't find out what their customer service hours are... But I'm guessing they're not 24 / 7 / 365 like mine - and mine are unlimited; you can call my company 15 times a day every day forever if you want and my customer service reps will happily answer your questions (or I'll beat them! kidding!)

I usually promote other companies, software and other cool things on this blog... but the interaction I had today made me feel like I should just put it out there and let people know that there are all sorts of options out there and not to jump on "FREE" without doing some research...

I had another client tell me he was building a website on www.webs.com and said it was "free" - it is but:

• Curently NO phone support
• $19.95 for domain name (mine are less that $10)
• $17.95 for privacy on domain names (mine is, again, less than $10)
• You can't use your own name unless you purchase the $99/year package.
• I cannot vouch for how long some of these "new" "free" companies will be in business - you're taking a risk...

My hosting company has been around since 1997, and I've personally been in business since 2003. We do not outsource or offshore any of our operations. I'm in NYS and my hosting is in the USA as well.

In conclusion - just do your research before you get started - as all these are proprietary programs - meaning once you build it there you aren't moving it... leave it or lose it! If you hated building it the first time it'll really suck to do it again! Don't pay too much, know what you're getting and what's "extra / add-ons / premium services". Also, consider getting a professional's opinion / assistance - there's a scary range of prices there too (perhaps another post in the future...?) - even a genius businessman / woman can muck up a template if given enough time!

I hope this has been helpful, feel free to contact me with questions!

PS - I'm sure webs.com and homestead.com are fine companies - I only use them to show you the range of pricing and differences in plans - if I didn't give you their names you may think I was making it up! Go there and look, and by all means if you like what you see then build your site there - we all have different needs. I'll be here if you need me ;<
V-