One way to promote your company and increase global marketing reach is to establish an online presence. To do this, you need a business website. The first step in creating a website is to register a domain name. On average, a domain name costs around $7 to $12 per year. Depending upon the type of company you are operating, you may be able to get a domain name for free.
Non-Profit Organization
As a "Non-Profit" organization, your company is not in business to make money. Instead, it is in business to provide services and resources to others. As an expression of appreciation for your efforts, some companies will also assist you. Find a web services provider, such as GrassRoots, that offer free domain names and other web services to non-profit organizations. Depending upon the web services company, you may be required to provide proof of your Non-Profit status. Generally, a 501c3 tax exemption form from the Internal Revenue Service is sufficient proof.
Web Hosting
If you intend to develop your domain name into a full-fledged website, sign up for web hosting services. Many web hosting companies provide you with a free domain name if you purchase a web hosting package. In some cases, the domain is free for a limited time. Some companies offer free domain names for a lifetime, as long as you continue to use its hosting services. The downside of getting a free domain name using this method, is that you might lose the domain name if you ever cancel your hosting subscription. This protocol varies by company. For that reason, read the company's terms of agreement thoroughly before getting the domain name.
Write It Off On Taxes
When you operate a business, certain expenses are deductible on your tax return. Expenses for your website are included in these deductible expenses. If you use this method, you must purchase your domain name upfront. You then report the expense on your tax return at the end of the tax year. The benefits of using this method is that you can also claim web hosting expenses as a deduction. On average web hosting cost around $6 to $12 per month.
Corporate Office
If you own a company that is a franchise of a major chain, or if you are an independent contractor of the chain, contact the companies corporate office to discuss a free website. For instance, if your business is selling Avon, you are assigned a free domain name to promote and sell your products. If you receive a free domain name using this method, it may be a "sub-domain name." A sub-domain name is a website address that is connected to the main company's website address. For instance, your address may appear as "http://www.thecorporateoffice.com/yourname" instead of "http://www.yourcompanyname.com."
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