Is it ok to use a free website for generating local leads?

homeriscool

homeriscool

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Hi everyone, my question is - do you think it would be ok to just use a free website builder to attach to google maps just for local seo? Or would you just create a wordpress website?

I maybe wrong but i personally think if you can get in the top 7 for local listings and people click your link, does it matter if you have a free website or a pro website?

I am selling local leads and this method would probably be quicker.....
 
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WP sites are basically free as well. Hosting will cost you $5/mo, if you plan to do any worthwhile business that's no problem. You can find coupons for domains for <$1 each, so that's not a problem either. So if you want a website builder invest in a theme like:

headwaythemes.com
http://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/elegant-builder/
http://ithemes.com/purchase/builder-theme/
artisteer.com
themify.me
diythemes.com
http://themeforest.net/collections/3573515-wordpress-drag-drop-page-builder-themes
http://themeforest.net/tags/page builder?utf8=✓&order_by=sales&page=1&tags=page+builder
ultimatumtheme.com
http://cobaltapps.com/downloads/dynamik-website-builder
http://themeforest.net/item/muse-builder-parallax-onepage-muse-template/6762215

etc.

These days there's no excuse. Also you own the site, so you are free to clone/backup the content, whereas site builders generally play games where they own the content or at least restrict it based on your slavery to the $15+/mo payment. You get what you pay for.
 
Domain = .99 cents
unlimited hosting - 119.20 a year unlimited domains

themes are free with lp or buy one..

are you only doing one site or many.?
 
depending on how the site looks and how legit it seems, then maybe it will generate leads.
part of looking good and legit is not having some ad on your website about your free website builder/host
 
It depends on who the market is. A lot of successful businesses in terms of local SEO have free websites (usually in wordpress, blogspot) just as long as the design is decent and everything is understandable. The reason for this is the audience they are targeting have no idea what's a free website from a privately-owned website with hosting.

Assuming that the market doesn't care about the URL name, the only knock is that you have minimal customizations for domains you do not own. Mainly, you have plugins that can't be used, you can't put any image you want, you can't have custom forms integrated, you can't change up code and stuff. But if you're a beginner and simply want a site to direct local leads to, go ahead.
 
Consumers are much smarter these days. Many automatically associate free websites such as weebly etc with "scam" - why risk pushing away potential leads to save a few dollars...there is absolutely no excuse to have a free site. They look like crap. Domain: plenty of 99 cent coupons available...Hosting: coupons for $12/year hosting out there....a single lead can cover your cost for a year. Again, zero reasons to use a free site.
 
You can get hosting for as low as $1/mo. I wouldn't risk it if I were you. I automatically associate free hosting with cheap and low quality. I've used them myself when I was 14, but when you are doing business, better invest in paid hosting.
 
why not get a domain name and create an add on domain for them? this would have been better? there are cheap domains you can purchase
 
Worst case scenario:
paid domain ($1 with Coupon)
free hosting

This way it won't appear scammy, but I wouldn't go for free hosting.
 
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I would buy one local domain and use a subdomain for each niche. This way you don't have to spend money on a new domain for each niche you choose. Buy something like www.inatlantageorgia.com Then create subdomains for each niche like this.. cosmeticdentist.inatlantageorgia.com

This gives you local keywords in your domain and is really effective for seo.
 
Just get a domain, cheap hosting, and build your website on a place you have full control. I wouldn't trust a free website for an important business page.
 
I agree with everyone telling you to purchase a domain (can get one for 1 buck) and hosting ($.01 at hostgator). Its not worth building up an asset on a free host and not being able to have full control.
 
netmoney1 said:
Consumers are much smarter these days. Many automatically associate free websites such as weebly etc with "scam" - why risk pushing away potential leads to save a few dollars...there is absolutely no excuse to have a free site. They look like crap. Domain: plenty of 99 cent coupons available...Hosting: coupons for $12/year hosting out there....a single lead can cover your cost for a year. Again, zero reasons to use a free site.
Click to expand...
This is partially wrong. Free sites on web 2.0's have one element going for them a regular domain doesn't: authority. You can spam the fuck out of them and get them to rank much faster and for less money than a regular domain. Just have to make it look as much like a normal website as possible.
 
Nothing wrong with a free site if you are driving traffic to it.
 
i cant find a better place to hosr other then host GATOR (plus its a "local" Texas business to support.

my question is for local business as far the basic part of the SEO goes ...does a "simple" word-press website will be good enough ?
 
Using free sub domain sites is not good it won't be professional so better you choose some promotional offers or you can get shared hosting from freelancers.
 
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