Let's get one thing straight, you absolutely can not run a business web site using a free web page such as those offered by Angelfire, Tripod, GeoCities, HyperMart, Homestead, FreeYellow, etc. No matter what you may think, it just isn't going to work. As they always say, you get what you pay for.

There is no bigger turnoff than visiting a web site that is hosted on an obviously overloaded web server. We won't mention any names, but a few of the free services are just terrible. Your web site is the most important asset you have, and it must give a good first impression. Besides, nothing is really free anyway. When you get "free" web space you are normally required to show the hosting company's banners and advertisements in prime locations on your web site. This is absolutely insane if you really think about it from a business standpoint. And potentially embarrassing. Consider this: one church we know tried to host their website with one of those free hosting services. Imagine their horror when they found out that website visitors were getting treated to an 'mens adult magazine' offering a trial subscription, via a banner ad!

These days you can find a good web hosting company that will provide what you need for as little as $10 a month. Let's be real, if you aren't willing to spend $10 a month on a good web host how serious can you be? Many good prospects are immediately turned off by this blunder.

And while we're on the subject of web hosting, be sure to get your own domain name. Again, if you aren't willing to spend $10/YEAR to claim your own domain name ... what are your potential customers going to think? This obviously also applies to using an email address that has the obvious ISP provider name at the end, like AOL, CompuServe, or AT&T WorldNet. If you hand a prospective business customer your business card with an email address of myname@aol.com, you better believe that you are creating the absolute worst impression in their minds. They will think you are not seriously in business. Besides, Who would remember a URL like: http://www.xyzoom.com/member/123566/index.html And it won't even fit on business cards too well.

Take your business seriously, or you will ultimately fail. After all, you want your potential customers to take your business seriously, No ?