Do you Really Need a Private Domain Name for your Business Blog

April 29, 2010 - Last Modified: April 1, 2014 by olusegun

Lots of the Blogging/IM/MMO gurus tell us it is a smart move to immediately buy your domain name and hosting for you blog or online business. Without thinking, this seems to be the logical step to take, right?

WRONG! WRONG!! WRONG!!!

I’m no guru – in fact I am just an upcoming blogger from Nigeria faced with huge challenges (don’t pity me) but I’d prove to you with facts and URL links.

It’s high time we faced some hard facts…

The advice is a truck load of trash if you want to earn online (If you are reading this, I’m 80% sure you’re in it for the money too). It is an idea that can leave a foul taste in your mouth.

Remember the saying about a fool and his money? They are soon parted!

One thing I have been learning to do lately is not join the bandwagon of bloggers or online entrepreneurs who do things thoughtlessly. Several Thousands of bloggers have bought domain names and hosting BEFORE even making a dime online. I did too with my blogs. To make matters worse, I did without any certainty that I will earn any money from my blogs!

The Wisdom of the greatest entrepreneurs is this…

NEVER invest fully in a business you haven’t yet tested and proven will be profitable on a bigger scale.

Warren Buffet, the greatest investor and capital allocator of all time does not invest in what he does not understand and even though he was very close to Bill Gates, he refused to buy internet stock not even Microsoft stock’s!

Going against this is not only precarious, it is reckless.

Let me prove my point…

Do you know that four of the biggest boys on the Internet refused to register their now uber successful domain names until about 365 days after they their business models were proven to yield some measure of success?

Check this out:

Yahoo.com – Web presence started in 1994. Registered domain name in 1995!

Google.com – Conceived in 1996. Registered domain name in 1997!

Facebook.com – Business launched in 2004. Bought domain name in 2005…

Twitter.com – You might find this a little weird… But still follows the same trail of “test before you invest”.

The original idea for twitter was created in 1999.

Back then, no adequate platform were available to run the idea on a massive scale so it was shelved for a seven years, till 2006! Talk about an idea years before its time.

Apart from this, Twitter’s first ever online presence was on a different domain (www.twttr.com, obviously inspired by flickr.com and some other considerations) that now redirects to twitter.com (Check out the original twttr.com site here).

The domain name that all the MILLIONS of twitter users know and now use was bought SEVEN YEARS after the idea was first ‘born’ and THREE FULL MONTHS after the web based prototype was hosted!

Jack Dorsey (the initial idea man behind twitter) is successful today because he had 7 years of proof that his unique web-based text messaging concept was eventually going to work. I’m not suggesting you spent that much time but test and prove too.

If he did not, he would have would have set precedence for squandering money on bad ideas – a repulsive thing to investors.

This act puts him in the realm of savvy internet entrepreneurs that took time to ensure their ideas will be successful before making long term though relatively small financial commitments that owning and maintaining a domain name demands.

My point is this…

While starting out in business, if you misuse “$10″, you will most likely do the same with $10,000,000.

There are many more examples of the “test before invest” concept but these should convince you.

If you follow the evolution of technology, you’ll know that Google’s first presence online was on a SUB-domain on Stanford University’s web site (http://google.stanford.edu/). See proof here!

Isn’t it weird to think that one of the MOST successful web businesses today took off on a free SUB-domain for another site – meaning Google used free hosting while in beta phase!

Take a cue from that and from Seth Godin blogger extraordinaire who uses a free platform.

The summary of all my grammatical rambling is this:

“Test first. Earn money. Invest and grow faster.”

About olusegun

Follow @segedoo

Olusegun Adedokun is an entrepreneur from Nigeria. You can check out his blog is at internet-earner.com. He believes “One Ageless Universal Strategy; Countless Marketing Tactics” is what will make a successful online business.

{ 59 Responses }

Jeffrey Kistner says:

Your exactly correct. Agreed! First, do some quick research and then buy. Do it Now! It's simply not that expensive.
Simon Duck says:

I think now thought most people buy their domains straight away because they are scared their name will go if they don't. The amount of domains bought everyday means that you may miss out on a great domain due to the fact that you hung around, also for the majority of people a domain is quite cheap. I agree with your point thought, but think that people should buy the domain, but maybe wait out on the hosting, which is the first big cost of starting an online business.
susane says:

I agree with the first comment. Should try E-junkie to sell online. It's awesome and promising.
Jason Jumat says:

It's remarkable how much research you have put into this article (not post (this is a complement)). I think it's a must that anyone should get their own domains from starting point! As a beginner about a year ago, I just started using free platforms such as wordpress.com and squidoo.com never to know that my blog/lens could get suspended or locked. And so it did. After nearly one year of putting all my efforts into it.
- Elisha says:
  
  I thought only Blogger (Blogspot) will suspend your account. The shift from Blogger to Wordpress might be a bit tricky for me. I haven't convert to Wordpress yet. .-= NEW from Elisha´s last blog ..Does School Destroy Our Creativity? =-.
  - Dennis Edell says:
    
    They are the most notorious for it, but any free platform has a strong TOS. It's just not worth it as many find out the hard way. .-= NEW from Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..UPDATED: Aweber Affiliate Link Contest! – This Is It!! =-.
Udegbunam Chukwudi says:

I still think $10 for a domain name is a worthy investment and spending a little on web hosting is an even greater investment cos free blog hosts can tear you down without warning ruining everything that you've built in the past. Check out http://myblog2day.com/1-reason-why-you-should-have-your-own-hosting-and-domain.php which documents how Alan Liew of MoneyMakerInfo.Blogspot.com lost his PR5 blog :-( .-= NEW from Udegbunam Chukwudi@Work Online Nigeria´s last blog ..StrictlyOnlineBiz's Top Blog Posts Of The Week 10 =-.
- Udegbunam Chukwudi says:
  
  I just found out that MoneyMakerInfo.Blogspot.com has been restored by Blogger. I wonder if they had to reach an agreement of sorts. Hmmm! .-= NEW from Udegbunam Chukwudi@Work Online Nigeria´s last blog ..StrictlyOnlineBiz's Top Blog Posts Of The Week 10 =-.
  - Hesham says:
    
    I have no idea, but I like this video on the post, so I thought to post it here:
    - Elisha says:
      
      Thanks for sharing the video Hesham. I've learned something from it, never ever post spam and post up garbage. Cheers. .-= NEW from Elisha´s last blog ..Connect with Me on Facebook =-.
      - Hesham says:
        
        I love the conversation in this video! Thanks Elisha for your useful comments on our blog!
- Olusegun says:
  
  Yeah that's the link i was referring to in one of my replies. Just couldn't locate it on time.
Nile Flores says:

Buying a domain is not that expensive. It is investing in the rights and trademark that can be a killer. It is important to invest in your business, but I agree, do not invest where you end up with nothing because your business flopped. Invest where you can find out the best methods... make it a wise one. .-= NEW from Nile Flores´s last blog ..Where To Find Inspiration In Order To Overcome Blogger’s Block =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  Yeah, you've got a point there but then why not test first?
Colleen says:

Your own domain name is a must. Working on another platform is like remodeling the rental you are living in. You will enjoy the benefits while you live there, but when you leave, the owner ultimately benefits from your hard work. .-= NEW from Colleen´s last blog ..16th Annual Safe Kids Saturday =-.
- Dennis Edell says:
  
  One of the best analogies I've seen so far, nice! .-= NEW from Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Would You Like to Read a TRUE Make Money Online Blog? Part 1 =-.
  - Colleen says:
    
    Thanks Dennis. Go figure the analogy came from a real estate agent. [grins] .-= NEW from Colleen´s last blog ..Tri Cities Has Lowest Cost of Living in the State =-.
    - Dennis Edell says:
      
      I purposely didn't go there. ;) .-= NEW from Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..I Need MORE Aweber USER Affiliates! =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  Lol. I hope it's from a top shot real estate agent.
  - Colleen says:
    
    Workin' at it! :) Real estate isn't exactly a good profession to be in these days. In fact, on those "10 Worst Jobs" list, we are usually in those. :( .-= NEW from Colleen´s last blog ..West Pasco Washington Homes For Sale =-.
John Soares says:

I think if you have a good idea you may want to pursue, and you find a good domain name for it, you should buy the domain, unless you can easily make that idea a subdomain of your flagship site. Having a good domain name with your main keywords in it, and one that's easy for others to remember, is very, very helpful. Of course, if money is very tight, you have to be careful. .-= NEW from John Soares @ Sell Information Online´s last blog ..Use E-Junkie to Sell Information Products =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  Yeah, it will be better for SEO but then there are no hard and fast rules.
Elisha says:

I'm still using blogger for my blog and I'm just ready to switch my blog to self-hosted Wordpress blog. After I read your article I have mix feeling in it - to switch (pay domain name) or not to switch (free). But of course the advantages of using paid features is that you have your own unique domain name, and tons of free plugins and themes. .-= NEW from Elisha´s last blog ..Train Your Writing Skill =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  please switch. It will be bad if you become a victim.
  - Elisha says:
    
    Become a victim of what? .-= NEW from Elisha @ Eli Shares´s last blog ..Are You a Multi-Tasking Monster? Practice Mindfulness and Slay the Monster =-.
    - Udegbunam Chukwudi says:
      
      Probably a victim of Google's "You're hereby banned from blogspot" without warning. .-= NEW from Udegbunam Chukwudi@Work Online Nigeria´s last blog ..StrictlyOnlineBiz's Top Blog Posts Of The Week 10 =-.
      - Elisha says:
        
        That would be very unfortunate and in the same time demoralizing. Do you know which criteria of blog will probably have the highest possibility to be banned? .-= NEW from Elisha´s last blog ..Connect with Me on Facebook =-.
      - Udegbunam Chukwudi says:
        
        Check out Griz's http://makemoneyforbeginners.blogspot.com/2010/04/making-money-online-in-2010-facelift.html. It's a long read but you'll DEFINITELY find tips on staying in Google's good books ;-) .-= NEW from Udegbunam Chukwudi@Work Online Nigeria´s last blog ..StrictlyOnlineBiz's Top Blog Posts Of The Week 10 =-.
      - Olusegun says:
        
        Yeah, a victim of Google's ban.
Real Blogging Advice says:

“Test first. Earn money. Invest and grow faster.” What a good phrase. You are really right my friend. Like what I've expererienced before. I run my blog last early january 2009 trying to explore if I can really make money from blogging. I was then full information and ideas how this blogging could make money online. But when the time came that I almost quit blogging (because I don't earn even a single penny from my blog), a sudden situation had happen. I made a sell as an affiliate of a certain product. Then I was very happy because my effort got its good result. That's the time that I buy my own domain name from my blogging money but still I am using google's free hosting service. Soon, I will host my own blog and continue what I am doing now. Thank you for great message and God Bless!!! .-= NEW from Real Blogging Advice´s last blog ..How to Choose Profitable Keywords Using Google Keyword Tool =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  congrats man and all the best in your efforts to make money online
Shanker Bakshi says:

i am sorry but i am not fully agree with you here, my theory is , if you are going to start it, start it with a BANG!!! ( Or hit the space with a unique, bubbly fresh idea in your mind with no or very little investment ) .-= NEW from Shanker Bakshi´s last blog ..“$2 Per Hour” Power Formula. =-.
- Real Blogging Advice says:
  
  Sometimes, we should have to test it first to gather more information and test the best techniques to achieve the BANG you have said. But sometimes, it depends upon the situation you are in. Because if you encounter failures from the first try you have more chance to be successful because you won't do the same what you did before that leads you to failure. But if you invest first then you encounter failure then you loss your money and effort. Testing first is I think a good step to be done first. Like what other successful companies nowadays. .-= NEW from Real Blogging Advice´s last blog ..How to Choose Profitable Keywords Using Google Keyword Tool =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  remember the saying, the bigger they are the harder they fall? you had better not fall at all if you start big.
Ileane says:

HA! I've been waiting to hear someone say this for months!! If you don't test the blogging waters and you just go and invest money in something that you don't understand, you will be losing more than just money. Your pride and self-esteem will take a hit also when you fail. The only folks that even care about domains are webmasters and bloggers, and that group only makes up a small portion of the world wide web. I admit that before I started blogging all url's were the same to me. I didn't have a clue what having words like "wordpress" or "blogger" in the url meant. My favorite one you listed here is that Google used to be a .EDU!!! - I find that hilarious. Thanks for the research, good job. .-= NEW from Ileane @ The Podcast Blog´s last blog ..So You Want To Start Blogging =-.
- Olusegun says:
  
  Good to know you've been expecting a post like this for a while. Glad you liked the post too.
Gautam Hans says:

I completely agree to this fact and you know i too started out as a blogger using blogger.com free platform. After that i migrated to wordpress, when i thought i was serious enough and could make up for the cost of servers. And testing is better than losing lots of cash .-= NEW from Gautam Hans @ Blog Godown´s last blog ..How to get any Job you want using Social Media =-.
Latief says:

I used blogger, free domain to test my self for blogging endurance, once I believe I can make money from my blogging activities so I bought the domain. The point is you need to really have a great understanding by research, asking around or learn from the expert before you make any decisions for your business. Love this article. Thanks for sharing bro :) .-= NEW from Latief@AnotherBlogger´s last blog ..Does SEO Services Like SubmitEdge Services Really Works? =-.
- olusegun says:
  
  You are welcome man. I used a blogger blog for about 3 years too. Research. Research.Research. It saves a lot of pain.
  - Real Blogging Advice says:
    
    Three is a long journey. Then, you are now expert in your field. Thanks for sharing good article. .-= NEW from Real Blogging Advice´s last blog ..How to Choose Profitable Keywords Using Google Keyword Tool =-.
Dennis Edell says:

Seth Godin uses Type Pad which has a free "trial", then it is $8.95 /month, $14.95 /month, or $89.95 /month per blog depending on level you need. Interesting dates. Back when domains were plentiful and no one knew better anyway, for the most part. It has been proven more times then not; nowadays if you start free and decide later to go paid, it will mean more hassles then it's worth. .-= NEW from Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..What are YOUR Top 3 Social Sharing Recommendations =-.
- olusegun says:
  
  Nice to know those days existed in the past. i hope you're right about your point.
Selurus says:

Thats some interesting insight. I never knew all these major websites were hosted on different domains earlier. A good option for bloggers is blog.com so you'll have a sub-domain of username.blog.com which you can continue using when you buy your own domain, by hosting your blog as a sub-domain on your website.
- olusegun says:
  
  Hmm, nice idea. I started with a free blog too but recently Lee Kahoong of myblog2day.com did a post on his friend that Google just got rid of his blogger blog for no good reason. the blog was a major money maker too.
  - Latief says:
    
    I have a friend that his blog closed down by Google for no reason :( but if you said Lee's blog is money maker than I know why Google closed my friends blog. May be more blogger blog money maker will closed down this day :D .-= NEW from Latief@AnotherBlogger´s last blog ..Does SEO Services Like SubmitEdge Services Really Works? =-.
Chadack says:

Great article and good research work. Testing the waters before taking the leap is quite ok. I personally do this. However with the right guidance and depending on what you want the specific period, I agree with Fazreen to "just do it!" .-= NEW from Chadack@Home Business Marketing´s last blog ..Invaluable Net Profit Marketing Strategies! =-.
- olusegun says:
  
  hey Chadrack, Thanks for appreciating the research efforts. Testing the waters is an ageless business wisdom.
alamin says:

oh really nice post thanks i dont think so
- olusegun says:
  
  Thanks but i don't get what you mean by you don;t think so.
Fazreen says:

I don't know much about the history of those four big company even twitter also. It's is interesting for me to know how they get started. I agree the idea has to come first but the most important thing is just do it. The way we act is different among each other.
- olusegun says:
  
  I kind of like to go back in time sometimes. However, the good thing about history is that we can learn from it. But more important than that is to find your own way. Bu
Kharim from WebMaster-Success says:

Nice post. I don't think you need a private domain for a business blog. But I also guess it depends on what business it is, if it's a private business or not. .-= NEW from Kharim from WebMaster-Success´s last blog ..How To Increase Google AdSense Revenue =-.
- olusegun says:
  
  Yes, you are right. It does depend on the kind of business also. Cheers man

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