Personal Website

This is a subject that I have described over the years. To me this is a no-brainer but my observations are that there is little interest in doing this.

The search: "Why would you want a personal website" returns many good reasons why you would want to. Sadly, due to the nature of the Internet this page is unlikely to be returned anywhere near the top of the result.

The reasons for having a Personal Website

Researching this there are many reasons why you would want a such a website. I will attempt to summarise them here.

These are not supposed to be inclusive and I am not in a position, and do no benefit from the promotion, endorse or advertise of any of the sources I quote.

The reasons:

You are looking for employment
You want to differentiate yourself from LinkedIn - or any on-line headhunter
You want to take control over your online image
You are looking for an alternative to Social Media
You want to promote your business, organisation or an event

Top

Not using a Content Management System - CMS

Many of the websites that offer free or paid solutions will tell you that it is easy and you should use CMS to create your website. While this would work I do not recommend this.

The Research - the sources of the comment on this page

I have referenced the links below but you will have to enter the URLs or make a search for yourself. I have commented and quoted from some, but not all.

Top Resume - topresume.com - Why You Should Create a Personal Website ASAP
Constant Contact - Why You Need a Personal Website
The Medium - 5 important reasons why you still need a personal website
livescience.com - Most People Google Themselves Now
boxmode.com - 20 Experts Share the Benefits of Having a Personal Website
strikingly.com - 8 Reasons Why You Must Own a Personal Website
Forbes - 3 Reasons Why You Need A Personal Website
LinkedIn - Who needs a personal website?

What the Constant Contact website says:

" What comes up when people Google you? Whether it’s an article from your college newspaper or an entry inviting searchers to check your criminal background, you don’t have control over the results — that is, unless you have a personal website. However, all the steps involved in creating a site, from designing the site to keeping it updated, might not seem worth it. But creating a personal website is the best way to take control of your digital profile. "

The five reasons given in the Medium article:

Sadly you will have to subscribe to The Medium for these. However, I am sure that they are similar to the other reasons.

What the Boxmode Blog says:

The Boxmode Blog gives 20 examples of those that have created Personal Websites and there are an explaination and links to their sites. If you require the link to this blog then please ask.

" To settle the score once and for all, we’ve asked 20 thought leaders and entrepreneurs to share their reasons behind launching a personal website. the Boxmode Blog "

The choice of a Domain Name

This is not as obvious as it looks. Of course, using your own name or company name is the first thing that you may want if it available.

The short advice is that it does not really matter as you will probably send your target audience a link to it or they will find it making a search. The use of a name does confirm to the target that they are looking at the "real thing" as oppossed to commercial link. Such commercial links are those from known platforms, Social Media, Wordpress sub-domains, and recruiters (including LinkedIn).

Personal Website

Links