For startups on a shoestring budget, the cost of a professional website is hard to justify.
I’ve been talking to local designers about this common issue – and at the end of the day – if you don’t have the money to hire someone (YET), it’s best to start with a DIY option so that you AT LEAST have some sort of web presence.
I bet you’re thinking “that’s easy for you to say…you know how to build these things…and I don’t have the time and patience for that…”
Well, actually, YOU DO!
Here are some options we’ve found so that ANYONE with ANY amount of time and/or money and/or lack thereof can build their very own website:
BEGINNERS
Solution 1: OTONOMIC
Time: 15 MINUTES OR LESS
Cost: FREE (with paid upgrade options)
Results: A quick and dirty website, hosted for free, with basic analytics and functions – all based off of your company Facebook Page!
Pros: It automatically updates when you post to your Facebook Page, so there’s no need for constantly logging in to separate accounts to update your page. You can also connect Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts.
Cons: It doesn’t have a blog function, so your chances to boost SEO with a blog are eliminated. It’s a quick, easy fix that doesn’t look as polished as some other options.
INTERMEDIATE
Solution 2: ABOUT.ME
Time: UNDER AN HOUR
Cost: FREE
Results: A relatively professional looking website with some customizable options (like adding pages)
Pros: It has a very intuitive site building function that anyone can figure out.
Cons: You have to be careful with your homepage picture. You need to own it, or own the rights to it – and you also want to send the right image for your brand.
ADVANCED
Solution 3: WIX
Time: Anywhere from a couple of hours to a day (depending on how much you want to do with it)
Cost: FREE (with paid upgrade options)
Results: A sharp webpage that can handle more than some of your more basic site builders.
Pros: It features a drag and drop HTML5 editor, so no need for coding. There are hundreds of templates and color palates to choose from – they even have images you can use!
Cons: It takes a lot more time than our other options, but if you can get your head around the software, it’s a great tool.
HOW TO GET YOUR DOMAIN:
Bluehost is a hosting platform that you can purchase your domain from, and have your emails set up through – all in once place! They have great customer service, and are very reliable as far as uptime (which means your website is actually up and running, instead of crashed and burning).
You need a domain/host because that’s your home on the web. When you type in conversations.be – that’s our domain name. You need one for SEO purposes, now some of the services listed above include their own, but sometimes they attach their own branding to your domain name – which tells everyone who visits your site what you used to build it. Depending on your industry, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, it’s always better to own your own domain name.
This guide, and some of our other resources, will help you on your way to online greatness. If these aren’t enough, or your just don’t have the time, give us a shout! We are happy to help you with your content generation, social graphics, social media management, or digital strategy.
