Free web sites are fine for fun and games and there is a definite need for them on Internet. But this is not so for serious-minded business people. Credibility is tantamount to doing business on World Wide Web.

In order to establish credibility on Internet, you would be much wiser to invest in a private paid web site whereby you are guaranteed that your web host will not "disappear" one day and take your business along with it.

A free web page/site gives your customers impression and implies that your business is not that important to you. Would you want to do business with someone who cared so little about his business that he was not willing to secure his investment?

A free web site will also come with "strings attached." No company is going to give you a free web site without wanting "something" in return.

Companies that offer free web pages/sites will often require you to sign up for some other costly service and require you to let others post banner ads on your site which could ultimately cost you sales.

So what makes some businesses/people stand out online while others fade off into Internet haze? There's a method to this madness and I'm going to explain it to you.

Pretend you were a resident in XYZ community. Now how would you make yourself known as part of neighborhood? Maybe by associating with your neighbors, participating in community groups, maybe even running for council. You could stay home and just keep to yourself, but no one will know who you are or what you stand for. It's same online.

The Internet may be a different kind of neighborhood, but it's still a community of people, and it functions on same principals.

In order to get your business or name out there, you need to create a buzz. To create that buzz you need to get involved in various online activities. You should be doing some, or all of following on a weekly basis to get your name out there amongst people.

1) Post to various web based bulletin boards

2) Publish your own Ezine/Newsletter