24 2000 |
Several people have suggested that I register a domain name for the receipt site. I've even considered it for my own personal stuff, but is any of it really worth the cost of the name ($35/yr), plus paying a hosting service monthly so that your domain has a place to point to, without banners or popups? Yea, yes, you can swing free deals on domain names & hosting, but you get the same bad service that you get now.
The one thing that keeps me from it is this: Clicks. Net traffic doesn't originate from an easy-to-remember URL, unless you're printing it on businesscards or airing it in commercials. The receipt site wouldn't benefit from a domain name - 99% of all traffic comes from search engine clickthroughs, references from other sites, and people's bookmarks. Same with my personal site - it's webrings & the receipt site bringing visitors. A short URL doesn't make it easier for people to click on the link.
Unfortunately, you are "out of the loop" if you haven't bought your own domain name. Which reminds me -- I need to pick up a Swatch watch, an Esprit bag, parachute pants, and one of those little scooters.