23. The next best address
If you cant afford a domain name or want to use the free web space provided by the ISP, you can still get a good address.
IF you dont want to pay for a domain name, or the domain name of your choice is already taken or you have to cut costs, a name redirection service could be the next best option. For example instead of www.my-ISP.com/homepages/SteffanKlein you could have the Internet address www.leap.to/SteffanKlein Because the main domain name - leap.to in the example above - is owned by a company specializing in this service, they will give you more flexibility. After all they dont care if you leave your ISP or Hosting service for another service. ShopFactory can help your with names such as leap.to, leadme.to and hotfoot.to Best of all, such a service may be free at the most basic level - and therefore be a good interim solution. You could use it until you decide you need a real domain name, then point it to your main site for as long as you want - or until all customers have moved across to your domain name. Redirection services can also come with your own email addresses to match your redirection address - another advantage which again makes you less dependant on the ISP. Redirect URLs do, however, have one small disadvantage. It will take a little longer for your Web site to appear on peoples computer screens. Its like taking the alternate route to your shop instead of the direct one - like a domain name.
|