More than benefits, let’s focus of why is it crucial to have your own domain name. I have argued this a couple of times in past. However, the argument was quite casual, and I still meet people who are emphasizing on using free domains. Here are three significant reasons on why every blogger should have their own domain name; or why they shouldn’t have free domains.

1.    Free Domain Names aren’t Really Yours

If you don’t know this, you must probably start reading fine print every time you come across a registration page. Most people have their pages on Blogger, and many earn a substantial amount every month. However, you will learn, after reading Blogger’s ToS, that you don’t really own the blog. It’s theirs. You simply own the content you write in it.

So, if you write content that’s unacceptable by the administrators, or if they feel you have violated any terms, they might delete your account, and you loose all your work. Besides, if your blog becomes popular, you don’t have the privilege to sell it off.

2.    You Don’t Have Credibility

Actually you do, but not as much as you would having your own domain name. You will find several blogs on Blogger that cannot be termed as ‘good quality’ blogs. Moreover, some of them are spam. And, remember, you share the same platform. Hence, your credibility, no matter how hard you try, wouldn’t get the deserved boost.

3.    You Don’t Have Flexibility

If you have your own domain name, you can modify your blog as per your needs and wishes. This benefit, however, cannot be enjoyed in Blogger. You wouldn’t be able to add special scripts. You wouldn’t be able to add pages. You cannot design it as per your wish.

As your blog becomes popular, you will realize the significance of flexibility. You will have to modify various things, which you wouldn’t be able to do in a free domain name.

People who have been using free domain names since years are now finding it impossible to grow beyond certain limit. It doesn’t cost much to book a domain. However, it would cost much if your growth is limited.

People are quiet confuse about what should they do once they buy an old domain. There are some aspects and wise tactics that could be followed once you have bought an old domain name.

Using 301 Redirect:
This is a technique that you can do once you have purchased an old domain. This is a very simple technique. What you have to do is redirect the old domain with your existing domain. Now here you have to make one thing clear that you can not merge any domain name with your existing site. Make sure that when you are redirecting an old domain name with your new or existing site, the names should be relevant as well as the keywords you are using and the content.

The benefit of using this technique is that you gather numerous appropriate links for your existing sites. Also it is least time consuming and you get approximately 95% of the value benefits because of the old domain links.

Things to be considered:
If the old domain name consists of the old branded anchor text there is no use of putting it into your existing site as it is not key word rich hence it’s of no benefit. If the old domain had a penalty on it and you have redirected it with your new website then there is possible chance that your existing website can also be penalized. Take precautions while using this technique.

Transformation of old domain to a Micro site:
Another technique is that you can do overhauling of the old site and transform it to micro site for your existing domain. This is beneficial only in the case if there is an exact match between the old domain and your existing domain on keywords. It also proves beneficial if your old domain had adequate and higher rankings for the targeted keywords.

Use of using this technique is that it can bring to your sites cross links branding and conversions for your existing site. You have a benefit of experimenting new things in your micro site which you would not prefer doing it on your main site and most importantly you do not require your site to be robust.

Things to be looked before opting overhauling technique:
Its time consuming as whole site need to be overhauled. There is a possibility of getting penalty on your site for doing reciprocal link exchange. There is not inheriting linkage as in case of 301 redirect technique. Micro sites are inefficient for usage.

Overhauling of Old Domain:
This technique is time consuming but is beneficial then the two described above. In this you can run both the domain i.e. old and existing alongside by selling the same product as are being sold at the existing domain. By doing this search engines get hold of your site and give you ranking for both alongside and also you are increasing the potential for the sale and conversions.

By using this technique if your both sites rank as per your targeted terms you can get more real estate in the SERP’s. In this technique you just need to focus on the ranking and conversions rather than looking for keyword rich domain.

Things to be taken care of:
You have to constantly keep a watch that the content you post on the old site should not be same or duplicate of what is already present in you existing site. This technique increases the work load as it is difficult to manage and maintain the old site. If you are cross linking with this technique it’s not recommended because you may come under consideration of the search engine which may penalize your site.

Each option suits for different individuals looking on how they can handle things. If you have experimented any of the three options is it proving beneficial to you? If yes then how and what changes your sites have come across on using such techniques?