I know there will be a lot of divergence of opinion on this, but I think the free cookie cutter sites are fine.

What is important is excellent photos, so if you are going to invest big $ anywhere, make it on the photog.

You should also be sure to cover all the basics of where you are located, what each client needs to know about the sessions you offer (rates, for example), and what the client needs to do to be screened.

Good grammar and spelling count!

If your budget allows and want to do a custom site, so much the better.

Look around at other gals' sites and see which ones appeal to you.  Write to them and ask who did the site for them and get the name of the person who did it.

Basics for a good site are:

The graphics are easy on the eye and the text very legible.  (No pale pink on purple, for example.)

The site should be very navagable so that you can go from one set of photos to another without having to reenter the site all over again.

No flash or music!

Lots of super photos.

I know this has been asked before but I can't find a topic thread. I think it's my ignorance Im not sure how to search. Can I use go daddy? Is it worth the money to pay someone? Is it affordable?

Mr Fisher is correct on the photos!  Yes have the best pics you can have, but they need to be you, and truly you.  You want your reviews to say, "She looks better than her pics" not the reverse.  

Yes, the cookie cutter sites are ok, but they own any info, images, et cetera you load onto their server.  Just remember that.  If they decide to use your info or images, it will be completely within their rights to do so because they are letting you use their server for free.  

You can do an affordable site yourself if you have the knowledge.  

If you don't have the knowledge, I recommend Orchid Escort Design.  
He does real good work, he's affordable, and he's truly a nice guy.  

I have no qualms in helping out a new lady if she needs it.  
The more info we share, and the more we work together; the safer and happier we all stay.

In the first level of research, I gather the basic facts, check reviews to see that MY desired services are offered in the way that I want them.  Then I look at pictures.  
This is your biggest chance to sell your services.   I look for several shots in a variety of poses & angles which are all clearly of the same person.  This gives me confidence that they are really her.  Obiviously, I need to find her attractive.  Pictures should have a variety of dress & undress & should when taken in total give me a correct impression of your body.  Pictures can range from sexy, naughty, seductive...  need not be fully explicit nor show face.  
I often find in looking at a provider's pictures, that she's not showing...  say her tummy or her breasts...  which leads me to the unmistakeable conclusion that she's being decpetive.  I LOVE a woman's body...   there are fans for every body type.  I think it is a mistake to mislead, which disappointment starts a meeting off on the wrong foot.    

With the quality of digital cameras today, talented amateurs can take excellant photos.  I'm sure pros do as well.  No low quality cell phone picts please.

If you change your look, get new pictures.  

I think a web site is worth having...  you control it.  A lot of TER profiles link to expired ads, so I can't see your pictures...  end up passing...    
skb

Thank you! I am not very tech savvy. I did notice with the free sites you get them free but then pay to add pics and such. I never did figure out exactly how to do it. I checked out orchid and loved it. I will be in touch with him. I am open to more suggestions I do have to keep cost down until I can make some real money.

is also the company that I contacted for my new site -  and once my photos are done in a couple weeks I will get everything together for them. I want the theme to flow. They have a good lead time, have different priced packages and appear to do very professional work!

Just my two cents!

Summer
No pm's - email / web only!
[email protected]

My usual rant is about the fact that many of us need to be very careful about the computers and networks we use and sometimes use software to make sure no cookies or other info is saved and that no scripts or java or other stuff can hijack (or even just slow down) our computers in case we are interrupted in flagrante delicto. It's hard enough to yank the plug from the socket and make it look like an accident; even harder the second time; ... or sixth time

We are not surfing yahoo or Disney. We need to take care. Don't build your site for the latest and greatest technology but for the old beater computer (Windows 95 anyone?) in the basement that no one else is using because it's a slow piece of crap.

Even then, you can still have a great site with good pics (skip the slide show fade-in fade-out), good organization, clearly laid out info and links that actually work.

Don't forget about being mobile friendly, too. But don't build for the latest release of anything. Some guys are using phones that are more than a year or two old and don't bother with all the upgrades and patches every month.

Some sites have a technologically "simple" home page that works for EVERYONE with more than way to continue to (enter) the main site. Kind of a
"Click [here] for Flash Version.  --- Click [here] for html version --- Click [here] for mobile version"

There are frequent posts asking about using forms for submitting info. (Read recent Newbie and General topics.) I think most are opposed to that and prefer email or a phone call instead. However, at least include a list of the info you want gents to include when they contact you.

Good luck!

I was going to say network with the other ladies for the best information, but Scarlett has already done that in her reply.
My only addition is that there is a lot more control over doing it yourself then having a professional do it. I have helped a provider and the hardest thing is getting the communication correct as to what she really wants, trying out things and waiting for approval. It may be a learning curve doing it yourself but having control of your business is great.
One of the things, besides what is already mentioned in the replies, that is a big plus is signs that the lady is actively keeping her site current. That means that I can trust the info posted is what she wants to convey and not a year old put it up and forget about it. When I look at an ad I like to see the new, most recent information. Not an ad that could be from one to five years old. So little changes that are obviously recent can make a big plus. As an example the week after a site went up a provider who had been a blonde for several years changed her hair color.  No time to put up new pictures, but a quick change to her intro page explaining the change and let the guys know she was trying to be truthful and it showed her info was kept up to date.

If you are going the custom route spring for anonymous domain registration (which GoDaddy has) and if you can swing it anonymous webhosting.  You can find out a lot of personal info from the WhoIs info.  Just a bit of help from someone in the webdesign biz.

I am with a "free" site right now. There are pay options also, however, I am changing to orchid soon. With that said, the "Free" site does allow me to change photos and add as often as I would like with no charging, as well, I can change the content all day for all they care. Very easy to use. With Orchid, they have an option for CMS as well as some other things so your site stays fresh!

And, yes, I agree with Curt it is important to stay fresh. I continually ad or remove something on my Welcome page to indicate that I actually look at my own site and make whatever changes are necessary.

iWeb is good.  I have a friend who uses it for her various websites and blogs and they look very nice.  I believe the software makes it very easy to use being Apple and all.
http://www.apple.com/ilife/iweb/  Though, you'll still need to host your site somewhere after you register a domain.  

I've even seen some providers use free blogger sites as their website.  Free hosting, no domain to register if you choose not to create one, free templates, etc.

I totally agree. If the pics look like they are hiding something, I pass. You need lots of shots from lot of angles.