THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING YOUR OWN WEBSITE

There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when they are under the influence of imagination. – Edmund Burke

Sunday, April 5, 2015 (DAY 1,126)
In the digital age of the 21st Century, I think that it's quite important to have your own website, whether for business needs or personal use, because this allows you to be in control of your online presence and reputation. With that said, I still think it's important that you decide upon your topic or reason for having your own website, plus in order to maintain the ability to control your online presence you need to be disciplined in posting regularly. Also, I understand that you may want to be more anonymous by refusing to have things such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. but even if you avoid these, your are still going to show up in the background of another person's photo or may be mentioned in a blog or article. Therefore, take control of your online reputation, because this can potentially help you gain employment OR cost you a job! 

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1. CONTROL YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

In today's online digital world–whether you are a traveler or business owner–it is highly important to control YOUR online reputation, because this can help you gain employment or cost you a job! First, you need to decide the reason for WHAT type of content you will share, AND, and HOW public of a presence you want displayed. I would imagine most of us from time-to-time Google our name to see what images and information is returned in the search results, and this is a great article describing the importance of managing your online reputation, which stats, "For example, some of your friends might mention your name in a social network or tag you on online photos, or your name could appear in blog posts or articles."

2. PURCHASE YOUR OWN URL

Think carefully about what URL or Domain name you are going to use, because in a sense, whether for business or personal use you want it to be:

#1. EASY TO REMEMBER (i.e. avoid numbers, do I type the number or write it)
#2. MAKE IT RELEVANT TO WHAT YOUR PURPOSE IS (i.e. travel, business, etc.) 
#3. SHOP AROUND AND PAY MORE FOR A LONGER DURATION TO OWN THE DOMAIN, YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE IT LATER

3. CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS

Back when I purchased my website, I knew ahead of time–again by doing my research–that I would rather utilize free website building tools, because there were several options and I saw no point in paying for a monthly or yearly service, OR by having someone else develop my site for me, because when I wanted to change it or adjust it I wanted to know how to do it. Also, as I mentioned that I spent close to a year planning this global adventure, one priority was developing the overall structure of my website because I planned ahead knowing that there may be many areas of the world where Wi-Fi is limited and therefore I knew that in order to post it blogs or updates whatever tool I chose had to accommodate for this factor. Back in 2011 when I purchased my domain and had the choice between WordPress and Weebly, they were both reviewed the same, and it was a guess (based upon reviews, other bloggers, techies, etc) as to which may be the more popular or dominant service. Unfortunately, I feel that I chose wrong, because over the past three-years WordPress has become more popular and when seeking freelance jobs or barter work, the question of WordPress experience in site building frequently is asked. While I understand WordPress and I could export my site, unfortunately I just haven't had the time to do so, plus imagine building a website that I TRY to continue to update and add blogs and content to for nearly four-years so to do this it's; taking a lot of time and there is still a cost. Here's a link discussing it: How to Convert Weebly to WordPress

4. GOOGLE ADSENSE GET PAID FOR ADVERTISING

There are numerous companies that offer paid advertising on your website but by many experts Google AdSense is the echelon of website advertising, in my personal opinion. First of all, realize gaining a Google AdSense account takes times and can be disabled without notice and is nearly impossible to regain (this has happened to me before, and my issue is that there is NO DEPARTMENT to plead your case) therefore, hHere are two links that take different stances: Why Google Adsense Is The Best Advertising For Your Blog  —  AND  —  10 Best Google Adsense Alternatives (2015). I should also mention that when my first Google Adsense account was just automatically disabled, I researched and chose several different affiliate marketing type companies to work with for FREE to sign up and use, but they never paid off in the same way Google has. PERIOD! 

5. FINANCIAL DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Once again whether for business needs or personal needs, sign up for a PayPal account (I believe you still need to have an American Bank Account in order to utilize and setup an account with PayPal, sorry I stay so busy I don't always have time to recheck the latest policy changes, this is YOUR job, friend! :) I will state that as a traveler at first I was hesitant to ask for financial support in this method, but once family and friends began asking how they could help SUPPORT ME I felt it necessary to set it up, PLUS I do have a DONATION PAGE that I use from time to time to encourage financial contribution donations to non-profit or families with meager salaries or no jobs (for example the average Cambodian and Nicaraguan makes about $160 USD per month working 40+ hours a week). I will also clearly state, as I have in my donation page, that both PayPal accounts are not only set up through TWO different banks in order NOT to confuse those that want to contribute a charity or family if it is not possible to do so directly.

6. EVOLVE TO POTENTIAL FINANCIAL MARKETS

Just as with signing up for PayPalⓇ, I know that Bitcoin is relatively new and some people know about it and how it works, others are weary about it, but either way I feel that ANY financial system that may make it easier to receive financial contributions or material gifts is important for YOU to set this is on your website to give others a choice in what makes it EASIEST for them to help support you or your business, including the newest form of Chase 
QuickPayⓇ

7. SHOW APPRECIATE PAY→IT→FORWARD

I seriously CANNOT EXPRESS IN WORDS the level of appreciation and gratitude to ALL of the above people that have contributed in helping me both before and throughout my travels, volunteering, etc on this amazing journey. I've had those that are family members and friends of course, as well as, complete strangers believe it or not! So once again THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH and please know that I am very honest when I say that I am always looking for ways to Pay→It→Forward to others, whether that can be financial assistance even being a budget traveler, buying a homeless person a meal, or even just donating my time to help make someone's life a bit easier in general! (*please forgive me if I have forgotten someone)

8. MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA WORK FOR YOU

This is just a recent example of how I use everything Facebook, Twitter, and of course (the above) LinkedIn to demonstrate how effective you can be IF you are disciplined in posting regularly AND take into account both your audience (this goes back to the intention or purpose of your website) and maximize WHEN to post based upon the time zone differences even if you are in the United States and not abroad. These small calculations make a large difference in WHO and HOW people respond to your online activity.