Get a Free Small-Business Web Site from Microsoft

If you're starting a new small business or just looking for nicer Web digs for your existing business, Microsoft has a pretty sweet deal: Microsoft Office Live Small Business, which offers free site design and hosting, a custom domain, contact and document managers, and loads of other compelling tools -- all absolutely free.

Microsoft? Free?! It's true. Well, okay, the custom domain is free for only the first year; after that it'll cost you a measly $14.95 annually. (You can also redirect an existing domain to your MOLSB account.) But everything is indeed free -- and pretty impressive, based on what I've seen so far.

The service offers simple tools and diverse templates for creating an attractive, distinctive site. You also get traffic reports, project-management tools, e-mail accounts aplenty (up to 100), and online workspaces for collaborating with co-workers. Optional e-commerce features let you sell stuff on your site or even on eBay.

I had a little trouble figuring out how to sync my existing Outlook contacts with MOLSB's contact manager, but otherwise I came away very impressed. This is well worth a look for anyone looking to establish -- or improve -- their small-business presence on the Web.