Seems like you're new here. If you want to be notified the next time I write something, sign up for free email alerts (absolutely no spamming) or subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
This seems too good to be true.
Microsoft is offering you a free web site with Microsoft Office Live Basics. It is totally free service from Microsoft, which offers you…
- A free domain name, registered in your name by an Australian affiliate.
- Free web hosting, which includes 500 MB of Web site storage space, 10 GB monthly data transfer rate, 25 company-branded e-mail accounts, regulr backups and much more.
- Easy-to-use Web site design tools, which will let you create your website in minutes
- Web site reports to enable you measure the performance of you website
- Search advertising tool with $50 credit (with terms and conditions)
Sounds too interesting. Yes it is.
So, what is the catch ?
Absolutely nothing. At least I could not find one. Only thing is that they also offer two types of premium accounts, which you might choose, if you want to access more features, or if your websites starts to get popular and grows big.
They require a credit card during the sign up process, which is not charged, until you choose to upgrade to their upgrade plans.
To give it a test ride, I also signed with them, and found the offer really interesting. The registration process is really simple, no deep knowledge of web designing or HTML coding is requried, and you can host images on the website.
There are a few things, which I wished, Microsoft would have added.
- Number of available page templates.
- Allow customization of the templates. In fact you cannot modify HTML or customize styles (CSS).
- Seems like the uploaded images are converted by some conversion tool, because the quality of uploaded image is not that good as the original one, specially GIF and PNG images.
- And if, in case, you want to switch the host, moving domain name can take a few days.
But still, for a really small website need, it is an option worth try.
BTW, did you started using the free useful tools from Google. If not, then
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 am
Micrsoft and free !!!
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 am
But it does not work on other browsers except IE
January 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
There are two catches here:
1- You can’t move your domain name FROM here
2- Your web site will show an awful search field at the bottom
July 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
They need to update this page. A lot of the info is out of date. Now, there is no more Basics, Essentials or Premium. It’s all the same. Now you have to pay for the domain name you want.
If you want: http://www.cleansocksandunderwear.com you will have to pay for that. Otherwise, it will read: http://www.cleansocksandunderwear.web.officelive.com
It also works with Firefox since so many complained as well as IE.
And it’s still free, no hosting!!! YIPPEE!!!