MLM Websites - Do I Need My Own Web Page to Be Successful in Network Marketing?

As an IT professional for over 40 years, I have been asked by numerous network marketers my opinion about creating their own websites. They point out that their MLM company provides a website, isn't that good enough?As professional marketers we provide our customers good information so they can make a good decision. Here's the information I have been giving them. You make your own decision.The Corporate Page:You absolutely need to have a presence on the web, bit please don't be "fooled" by you MLM company. Almost all MLM companies "provide" you a website, and many make a sizable profit on the monthly fees they charge. You would think that, because it's out there on the web, those people doing searches will "stumble" upon it.Nothing could be further than the truth! Your company has positioned you with a "company replicated" website, and the search engines do NOT reference these in their search database. Now the MLM companies are getting a little smarter, by having you get your own domain name, and then they "redirect" traffic to the company website. This method is not "search engine compliant". In fact, Google refers to this technique as a "sneaky redirect" and it is therefore a violation of their rules.Now I'm not saying absolutely do NOT get a company website. What I am saying is you should not think about using it for customer acquisition. Again most companies will have a "back office" where you will be signing up your customers, and ordering products and services. This is the business part of you MLM, and you need that interface. What you also need your own web page where you can drive traffic to, and acquire customers.Your Own Web Page:People are "surfing the web" every second looking for information. You need a page where they can find out about you and your products and services. They want help, and if you can provide that help, you potentially have a new customer.The best way is to have your own web page, where a prospect can learn a little about you, and if they want more information, they can leave their name, phone number, and email address. Most people are intimidated about trying to put up a web page, but let me assure you, you do NOT need a PhD in Computer Science to do this.With today's new web hosting companies, and the leading edge software they use, if you can write an email, you can create a world class web page and drive traffic to it. If you need more help beyond what the hosting company will provide, then seek the assistance of a marketing professional or marketing company that teaches this skill. It will be worth every penny you spend.In Conclusion:Hopefully this will clear up the "confusion" concerning the company web sites and their uses verses you own lead capturing web site. Both are necessary, and both have their place in your business.