Why You MUST HAVE A Matching URL And Email And How To Get Both (On The Cheap)

No matter which website builder you are using, the odds are you will be offered a URL (branded with their domain). However, before you start to promote your business, you must get your own URL.   

For example, if the name of your business is “Chicago Massage”, Weebly will give you the URL http://www.chicagomassage.weebly.com  In your marketing efforts, you’ll find it MUCH easier to use your own URL.  Doesn’t it look (and feel) much better to post www.ChicagoMassage.com?

Here is a summary of benefits of using your own URL:

• Your URL will be short.  Much shorter than the URL given to you by your platform.
  
• Your own custom URL will be so much easier for your customers (and potential custoomers) to remember or even jot down.  
  
• Eventually you may want to leave the website builder you are using, and if you have followed all of my tips on how to find customers, then your URL is going to be all over the Internet. Doesn’t it make sense to have posted your own URL so that you do not lose all of your hard work?
  
• Overall, having your own URL gives off a much more professional vibe, and it will always help you attract customers. 

Where to get a URL:
I strongly recommend you use www.GoDaddy.com to buy your URL. GoDaddy.com is known for always trying to up-sell you (so say no to everything they try to toss in your cart along with your URL), BUT their customer service is excellent!  If you experience any trouble, you can easily call them and they’ll walk you through whatever you are trying to do. They periodically even call you to see if you need any help.

A URL (aka domain) will cost around $12, but before you check-out go to Retailmenot.com and see if there are any promo codes you can use.  Often you can get the cost down to $3 or so. 

How to get a custom email (now that you have a URL):
Now that you have a URL, it means you can get a matching email address.  I recommend you ONLY use Google Apps.  The cost is $50 a year per user (you should only need/want one email address), but worth it as you can then use Google Apps for your calendar, Google Drive, Analytics, and so many more tools that you will need as your business grows.

The reasons for having a custom email address are pretty repetitive with the reasons for obtaining a custom domain.   It’s more professional, you will have it posted all over the Internet, etc.  

Bottom Line
Do not spend time publishing your business all over the internet until you have a URL.  When you switch platforms (aka you move from Weebly to Wix), you do not want to lose all of the people who find your online postings AFTER your move.

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