If you ever want to be taken seriously…. you NEED a domain
If you want to have complete control over your blog design/content… you NEED a domain
If you want no limits on ads you would like to place on your blog… you NEED a domain
If you want to be able to optimize your Search Engine rankings… you NEED a domain
If you want to be a “brand” then you DEFINITELY need a domain.
I’ll say this. I typically don’t take anything seriously unless it has a website with their own domain name. For example, I’m searching for landscaping companies locally. If they didn’t take the time to register their own domain name, I won’t even consider them (and lately if they don’t have a Twitter account or Facebook page, I don’t take them seriously either) You know that eventually if your blog gets really big, you are going to end up with your own domain. You see it with Cake Wrecks (who still uses blogger, but has registered her own domain name to redirect to that page). The reason she probably still uses blogger is that she got big while she was on blogger, everyone that links to her would have to change their links and she will lose all of her subscribers (although she would probably gain them back in a heartbeat because she rules). If you want a blog and you want to evenutally make money with your blog, you will need your own domain. Name a big name blogger that does not have their own domain? It does not exsist. So cut out the pain of switching over to a domain AFTER you get big, and switch now, before it happens. Blogger, WordPress.com, etc are fine for people who just have a personal blog to keep their family updated on their life. If your blog is your business, and you want to grow your brand and your followers, then you need your own domain.
Whenever I come up with a new idea, I rush out and get the domain name before I do anything else. Usually most of the time the name I come up with for my new idea is based on which domain names are available. I even have an app on my phone so I can check out available domain names on the fly.
It is really easy to switch everything over from Blogger, and you won’t lose any of your posts. If you sign up with Twenty70 hosting they can help you out with the transfer. It’s very affordable, and you can create a branded email address and have unlimited design possiblities! So what are you waiting for? Be your own brand today!
YOU CAN WIN A FREE YEAR OF HOSTING!!! Check it out here… https://www.twenty70hosting.com/blog/2010/03/blogher-sponsorship-lets-begin-twenty70-blogher10/
**I am NOT being paid to promote Twenty70**
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Hello!
I found you through Angry Julie’s post. I’m pretty new to the bloggy world, but did purchase my own domain name (through Blogger) a couple weeks ago. Did you move from Blogger to twenty70 yourself? Is twenty70 easy to use? I’m not sure what I really want out of my blog yet, but I’ve heard so many horror stories about people moving to WordPress, how it’s hard to learn to use, how they lost followers in the process, etc. Blogger is simple to work with, and I have my own URL, so I like it. But I’ve read how I have no control over it because Blogger/Google can still remove my site if they wish. I appreciate your help!
.-= liz´s last blog ..My Blog is Carbon Neutral…Is Yours? =-.
I was never on Blogger to begin with, as when I come up with an idea I immediately register the domain. That being said… It is easy to move to Twenty70, and the great thing is that Twenty70 will help you with the process. You WILL lose followers because it’s a new domain (and thus a new address for people to follow). And yes, with wordpress you will have much more control then being subject to Google’s whims… 🙂
I just want to put a shout out to http://www.ovaleye.com. Their tagline is “The premiere web host for women in business”
I am in the process of getting my first domain and I’m getting it from Jenn and Kathy (it’s a mother-daughter team) at OvalEye. 🙂