So you've written your magnum opus. You've spent a long time recording it, mastering it, sweating over how it sounds and now you need to get it out there on the web. You can either purchase some webspace and build your own webspace or use one of the many free mp3 hosting or distribution services.
Why host on a third party website and not your own space? The main advantages are:
- Free - you don't have to pay hosting charges to an external company.
- Bandwidth - 1000 downloads won't impact on your own bandwidth keeping those costs low.
- Website integration - usually the hosting companies have some way for people to embed you songs on their website.
- Social networking - some of the sites such as soundcloud are integrated social networking sites in themselves allowing listeners to rate, download or connect with artists directly through the site. You can mass mail followers and allow people to comment - enhancing your social currency.
