Can you create a business website for free?
Website building has certainly changed a lot over the years, for starters you don't even need to know any coding. Today’s 'drag and drop' web builders do all the tricky coding for you, with different plan prices according to the level of service you need.
But can you create a website for free? In this blog post, I’ll not only answer that question but I’ll also take you through 5 important points to consider when choosing the right platform for your business.
Is there such a thing as a free website?
The answer technically is yes. But with most things in life, 'free' doesn't always actually mean free, and generally speaking, there is still a cost involved, even if it's not monetary.
Although 'free' sounds very attractive, especially when you're just starting your business and money can be tight, is it the best route to take? Here are 5 things you should consider first.
1. First, you should get really clear about why you want to build a website yourself
Perhaps for you, it is about saving money. I know what it's like when you're starting your business journey, it's a bit like buying a house, there's a lot of DIY involved!
Maybe you have the skills so it makes sense to do it yourself - great go for it! Or maybe you'd like to learn a new skill and you want to have control over your site once it's built. Psst, I'll let you into a little secret that's not so secret - you can still have control over your site and learn how to update and manage it even if you get a web designer to build your site for you.
It's important to understand your reason why.
Particularly if it is for your business because although it may be fun to learn a new skill or useful to save money while you're getting started, you want to make sure that your website actually delivers what you need it to.
While you can save money building a website yourself, it will however cost you time.
2. Is your website time-sensitive?
Is this a pet project? Are you looking to set up a basic website for your blog? Or are you looking to launch a business and/or product and need your site ready by a certain date?
Web building takes time - more so if you're not a professional so it's worth bearing in mind if you have the time to dedicate to choosing and learning about the platforms.
What if you end up starting over because you didn't like the first attempt? Will it put undue pressure on yourself during an already very busy and stressful time, where your attention needs to be elsewhere?
If you're just starting your first website, there will be a fair amount of trial and error as you find what style you like, how to get your images and copy to fit attractively and work out what pages you need for the best client journey.
3. Another question to ask yourself is: What do I want my website to achieve?
This will act as a major driver in terms of how you should structure your site and whether it can be done for 'free'.
Are you still studying and want to share what you are learning through writing blog posts? This should be pretty simple enough.
Or do you want to create an online presence to build more brand awareness, or get more bookings?
How your brand is presented can have a major impact on engagement.
If your brand presentation is a big concern for you (and I'd argue that it should be if you want to be successful), are you willing to have adverts placed on your site? Check the terms of your plan as it may be that if you launch on a free plan there are conditions attached, such as advertising banners for the web builder that can't be removed without upgrading.
4. What features do you need and are they available on a free plan?
Again before you get excitedly building a new website you want to be sure that the features you need are available on the platform or 'free' plan that you pick.
Do you need an online scheduler so clients can easily book a session, class or discovery call with you? There are plenty of free online calendars, but again just check what freedom you have to customise it, and check if it can integrate with your platform.
If you are selling products you'll need an online shop - this will most certainly involve a financial investment from you to be able to process orders and payments.
So just have a think about what you may need now and in the future, and if there are options to upgrade later on.
The last but by no means least point is...
5. Do you want a bespoke domain name?
Domain names don't have to be expensive, some can be from as little as around £10-20 per year, but it is a financial cost and one that you should certainly consider.
When you set up a website you will be given a URL that is often a string of random words or letters, that you can switch to a more cohesive domain name.
Again as a business website, you should be selecting and buying a domain name that reflects your business name, or a version of your business name, making your site easy to find and ultimately adds professionalism to your brand. It also means that someone else can't meanwhile buy the domain that you've got your eye on for your business.
So to summarise, can you build a website for free? Yes. Can you build a website yourself? Absolutely.
Can you build a business website for free that looks professional, has all the features you need for your business to be a success and helps you achieve your business goals? Hmmm maybe not.
It still doesn't have to be expensive, but I hope by considering these points you can get clear on why you want to build a website, what you need it to achieve, what features you need in order to deliver the products or services you sell or the information you wish to share with your audience.
That way you can make an informed decision on if the 'free' route is the right one for you.
If you decide that building your own business website is not for you, and you'd like to feel really confident and proud knowing that your site is working for you in the best way possible, please do check out my design services to see how I can make that happen for you.
