At upcoming speaking engagements, I reserve the right to attach this post with a staple gun to the forehead of anyone who asks me why they should pay a few bucks a month to host their band's site when there are so many free resources out there...

Because if it's free, they're either making money from your hard work, or they're not gonna be around very long! SoundClick is down right now, and folks are justifiably freaking out if the only URL they have given to fans points at SoundClick.

Here is what you should be doing to host your site, if you are SERIOUS about building an audience. I get no money or kickbacks for recommending any of the below, just so you know...

1. Go to KRDomains and register your band's domain for $7.95.

2. Go to HostBaby or Bandzoogle and get a suite of musician oriented tools that let you host your site, even if you barely know how to work a computer. Packages run from $6 to $20 per month. Neither is in danger of going out of business anytime soon, and their servers are highly reliable.

3. Send ALL of your fans to your new, improved, classy looking website that actually works when people go there.

Yes, you can still keep your SoundClick and your MySpace sites active. Can't hurt. Owning your own site is an extremely important part of getting serious about success in the music industry. It's the most important $80 you will spend each year.