Thread: Free Subdomain or Paid Domain?

Originally Posted by weblover

By the way, I visited your blog during the weekend, but I did not stay long there. However may I ask why you do not use a standard blog host rather to use a personal domain blog?

You mean why am I using my own domain + hosting rather than host the domain for free on blogger or just get a subdomain at blogger?

For various reasons:
- My way gives me complete control over my blog, including the database, plugins & updates.
- I can also upload additional files, images, etc. to extend the blog.
- I can have subdomains.
- Experience purposes.
- Builds my online image/credibility/reputation.

A personal blog is special because I have no intention of ever selling the domain. I only need to sell (or rent rather) a few link spaces and that would be enough to pay for the domain and hosting.

On the other hand, if you want to develop a non-personal site you can't forget the possibility of selling it in the future whether it's working out for you or not. If you're on a free subdomain (e.g. blogger) it's probably against their TOS to sell your subdomain/account. If you're able to sell it though, you probably won't be able to sell it for much because promoting yoursite.blogpsot.com will ultimately be promoting blogspot.com ; the higher the value of your free subdomain, the higher the value of the domain you're on. Nothing in life is for free.

Don't get me wrong, there are ways to profit from these "free" sites though, and I exploit them as much as I can to promote & support my paid sites in accordance with the TOS of course. 8)

Blogspot, Wordpress and all the major free blogsites have been blocked by China. I did start my personal blog on a free site (blogsource) which dissolved a few months ago. I was sick of the Great Firewall of China and their constant need to block free sites so that's probably what got me into taking things in my own hands...and I'm glad about my decision.

Sorry for the lengthy explanation...you asked for it.

In the past, Great Wall
Now, Great Firewall

Great!!