This looks really quite awesome - especially if you don't already have a website

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Faevilangel

  • #2
    HolidayRQ said:
    Just come across the Getting British Businesses Online site - it might be worth taking a look if you've not yet got a website: http://www.gbbo.co.uk/

    (No affiliation, etc...)

    The thing that really stuck with me is that they are giving out free .co.uk domains and hosting! For the first time in a while, I'm impressed.
    Click to expand...

    hosting is through Google sites though :cool:

    If you want to be cheeky, you can get the domain name then just ask them to redirect your domain to your own hosting (so you can have a proper website made). You just email them with the nameservers and within a few hours it's neatly done :D

    Do be aware BT will ring you and try to offer their "website design" and marketing services.
     
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    HolidayRQ

  • #6
    akirk said:
    putting aside my own professional conflict of interest (;) ) I would be very cautious about tying your website into these types of organisations - I see lots of problems ahead...

    the cost of domains / hosting is irrelevant in terms of website costs / online businesses...

    Alasdair
    Click to expand...

    True, but for a builder or any business that wants a website to provide their contact details and a few referees i.e. not an online shop or showcase site - this would be very useful.

    The only problem I see is if the company were to retain rights to the domain name, but the only limitation of domain transfer I can see is (from the T&C's):

    You cannot transfer your free domain name to be administered by another provider within the first 60 days of its registration.
    Click to expand...

    I assume to prevent abuse of the free domain name registration.

    The site management is done via Google Sites, and I've not heard that they have done much wrong so far.

    Unless there is something obvious I'm missing?
     
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    akirk

    akirk

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  • #7
    the 60 days is a standard thing...

    for some it may be ideal, but for others they will be upsold un-necessarily / want to do stuff they can't do / be sucked into this when for them expert help would be more useful...

    I believe that there is rarely anything free which is perfect ;) and so, agree - for some it will be fine, but for many, perhaps it will give the impression of being more than it is...

    Alasdair
     
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    B

    bdw

  • #10
    Yes, that's a typical price. Would you sell your soul to this system to save yourself £5.95? I must also declare a conflict of interest but I think there are problems with this that people should be aware of.

    What you have to remember that this system is run by a commercial organisation who are in this to make money along with BT and Google. Yes it is free for two years but this is an investment for them and they all want a piece of you in exchange.

    Some people will come along, make a website that looks amateurish and homemade. They could quite conceivably harm their business with this and in two years they will start getting billed. There will be all sorts of options open to them at this time that they will not be able to understand and they may be screwed for money that they don't have to pay.

    Here's what they say . . .

    This initiative is designed to help small businesses get online for free and is aimed at organisations that might struggle to pay for advanced web development. Of course, as your business grows online and you learn more you may wish to take your online presence a stage further, at which point professional web developers and training providers can help.
    Click to expand...
    Guess who holds your domain name (the trump card) and now guess who is going to be first in line sell you these services they mention? ;)

    .
     
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    B

    bdw

  • #12
    Yes, you certainly can do that if you know about it and if you know how, but it is quite clear that this service is targeting people who don't and who can be talked into paying more at a later date.

    Would this be worth the hassle for any business to save £5 odd? ;)
     
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    HolidayRQ

  • #13
    I'm not really convinced that it's about saving £5, really - if we think of the alternatives, I can come up with:

    1. Use a different website generator service
    2. Hire a web developer
    3. Use an agency

    I've messed around with Google Sites before - just to see if it's any good, and for non-technical people, or those with a basic understanding, it's pretty good. If the use-case for this tool is to get businesses online who may not otherwise bother, then it's a good match.

    If we look at 2 and 3 together, although you *may* get a superior product, it will cost you far more than £5. Any decent developer will charge at least £25 per hour, and an agency far more than that.

    Note that options 2 and 3 don't guarantee a better product. If you look at all of the '4-Page Business Website for £20' type business out there, many of them are unscrupulous in their practises. I've heard of people being charged >£50 just to have a little text or image updated on their site. In essence, someone who knows little about how to develop a website properly will have a hard time not being ripped off.
     
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    D

    Dawg

  • #14
    As above, BT hold it, (the domain), and just as any other registrar they will seek renewal after a couple of years, at their current rate, (according to the GBBO T&Cs, 5ii).
    BT's current rate is £2.95 a year. This is competitive. So where are these noobs being talked into "paying more at a later date"? If you take the offer of a free domain for two years, and then you want to renew it the price and mechanism to renew it will be standard practice, will be the same for all, experienced or not, and be competitive, (i.e. not a rip off).
    Where exactly is the problem?
     
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    arfurd

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    Jan 22, 2010
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  • #18
    I agree with BDW, although they are reputable firms, they haven't got where they are without making money.

    I have experienced the "Web Services" that BT provide. They charge the earth for these services and the end product is very poor. My client was paying £39 per month to have some clerk to enter data into a template for the 12months he was tied into.

    They said he could edit his website, but they didn't say that he had to use their CMS system and the would not allow him to have FTP access. So the template was fixed as was the price. Not only that they charged him £60 (admin fee) to transfer the domain away from BT.

    We all say if it's too good to be true.....
     
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    Rainbow Chasers'

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    Nov 20, 2008
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  • #19
    I am setting up another scheme at the moment, and was looking at a 'free' site as a toe dipping exercise before commiting to the project. I looked at this scheme and certain things stuck out.....

    Free for two years......That is great for toe dipping, and building a base - but what happens if I wish to continue? How much are they going to demand, against just having a basic £350 web page made up?

    After I build an online customer base - how easily can the rug be pulled, or the 'shop' held to ransom - as setting another up will be just like restarting.

    If I moved hosts or whatever, how helpful are they qoing to be? Are they going to drag their heels for months and what effect will that have on sales with a site in limbo?

    Being it is a basic site, why not buy the domain, and ghet a basic site made yourself - rather than tying yourself down to a large company that will be pulling the strings.

    I would either look at a basic designers web page, or build one yourself. When you build up enough business, go and see a web designer and have a better site built.
     
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    Dawg

  • #20
    arfurd;
    you are probably talking about Customer Street, which BT bought some time ago, and with that you are right: it is an appalling crock of horsedump.

    But just on BT you can renew a domain for about £6, you can change the nameservers for free, you don't have to sign up for anything else: I fail to see the problem.

    It seems bdw won't explain why he sees a problem with a small charge to renew a domain, will you? What am I missing?

    For inexperienced web users (and experienced ones) a free domain is on offer, with standard terms and costs for renewal after the free offer expires.
     
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    arfurd

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  • #21
    Dawg said:
    arfurd;
    you are probably talking about Customer Street, which BT bought some time ago, and with that you are right: it is an appalling crock of horsedump.
    Click to expand...

    Love the phrase and yes was referring to Customer Street.

    Dawg said:
    It seems bdw won't explain why he sees a problem with a small charge to renew a domain, will you? What am I missing?

    For inexperienced web users (and experienced ones) a free domain is on offer, with standard terms and costs for renewal after the free offer expires.
    Click to expand...

    As with my client he is not at all computer literate, actually he couldn't be further from it. And it's these people that myself and I believe BDW know that BT and google will prey on. After there initial set up, BT/Google i will more than likely be BT will contact the site owner offering there wonder services and charging for them.

    You probably can go on there and get a site and renew it in a couple of years without fuss. Great. In the meantime you will have to fob off all of the sale calls.
     
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    HolidayRQ

  • #22
    @arfurd - BT are just the domain registrar, not the hosting provider. The hosting, templating and CMS is Google Sites - not BT.

    @rainbow chasers - After 2 years, you only have to renew the domain. Google sites is a free service, so your site will still be there.

    I think the benefit of using a service like this is that for certain businesses - those that want a web presence as more of a brochure rather than a destination - it fits well. The content can be managed, and the templates available provide an attractive, albeit not 100% custom site.

    If you have the ability, setting up a brochure site takes a couple of hours - it's nothing too technical, but it does require a certain amount of experience to do well. This is why web developers do what they do, and charge for it.

    In summary, if you want to spend very little, and have a basic brochure website, I think this service is well worth a look - especially for the free domain name. If you need something building, get a freelancer or agency to work with you, but be prepared to pay for it and make sure you're familiar with the basics to prevent being taken for a ride.
     
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    Rookery

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    Oct 17, 2010
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  • #24
    HolidayRQ said:
    I think the benefit of using a service like this is that for certain businesses - those that want a web presence as more of a brochure rather than a destination - it fits well. The content can be managed, and the templates available provide an attractive, albeit not 100% custom site.

    If you have the ability, setting up a brochure site takes a couple of hours - it's nothing too technical, but it does require a certain amount of experience to do well. This is why web developers do what they do, and charge for it.

    In summary, if you want to spend very little, and have a basic brochure website, I think this service is well worth a look - especially for the free domain name. If you need something building, get a freelancer or agency to work with you, but be prepared to pay for it and make sure you're familiar with the basics to prevent being taken for a ride.
    Click to expand...


    This seems to be similar to that offered by MS Office Live. I've had a free, template-based website from them for the cost of my domain name. My site is an online brochure 7 pages long, showing my customers the services I offer with some background information and lots of pictures of completed work.
    So if thats all you need, its fine.
     
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    he_who_dares

  • #25
    It does seem to be a good deal, however, I have now found that I am not going to be able to change the host from Google sites for 60 days. The domain is mine as if it were bought, but the registrar has taken the liberty of stopping you from moving to another host. It seems as if this if being funded partly by google to increase awareness of its sites service - which is very very basic when it comes to web design.

    I am also a bit of a website novice so if this incorrect please do tell so I can get my domain hosted away from Google Sites.
     
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    HolidayRQ

  • #26
    Looking at the T&C's, it says:

    Your free domain name will automatically direct to the website you create through the GBBO website creation tool during the same session, and the only way you can change this is by calling BT on the freephone number advertised on the GBBO Site (0800 5003123).
    Click to expand...

    Maybe give them a call if you need the A record changing.
     
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    D

    Dawg

  • #27
    @He who dares
    If you change your nameservers to your third party host's nameservers after 60 days the domain will be yours, at a host of your choosing. Hunky Dory.
    If you don't know how to change nameservers ask your host, or here.
    I got a domain off this scheme, changed nameservers, put up a WP site and have a working website. I haven't been bothered with sales calls, offers of horsedung webby services, or even spam from BT or Google. Pretty well a plus with no minuses.

    (But I like to see the plusses really. My fault. Also, I don't think Google follows me into the bathroom. Or is interested in my wrinkly inner thigh measurements. Some people think Google are interested and some people don't...)
     
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    Rookery

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  • #30
    he_who_dares said:
    It does seem to be a good deal, however, I have now found that I am not going to be able to change the host from Google sites for 60 days. The domain is mine as if it were bought, but the registrar has taken the liberty of stopping you from moving to another host. It seems as if this if being funded partly by google to increase awareness of its sites service - which is very very basic when it comes to web design.

    I am also a bit of a website novice so if this incorrect please do tell so I can get my domain hosted away from Google Sites.
    Click to expand...

    Whats the advantage of having the site hosted away from Google?
     
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    he_who_dares

  • #32
    Rookery said:
    Whats the advantage of having the site hosted away from Google?
    Click to expand...

    The domain cannot be used with any other hosts except Google Sites for the first 60 days. Don't get me wrong, Google Sites is a great tool for anyone who wants to create a website without any experience. However, the tools are very limited and you are not given a free reign to change a multitude of factors. Ultimately, you are condemned, for the first 60 days at least, to have a website built with amateur tools and hosted with Google branding at the bottom.

    Please see mine
    www brightinsite.co.uk

    (pls place the dot inbetween the www and domain name)
     
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    movietub

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    Nov 6, 2008
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  • #33
    There was another thread ages ago about this deal.

    There is no way this is useful for a business. For the tiny amount of money it costs to get a half decent domain and complete control there is no reason to choose it.

    Google tools are amongst the best for those that have literally no grasp of how website mechanics work, but are also way to limiting for a business that want to grow.
     
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    Rookery

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  • #34
    he_who_dares said:
    The domain cannot be used with any other hosts except Google Sites for the first 60 days. Don't get me wrong, Google Sites is a great tool for anyone who wants to create a website without any experience. However, the tools are very limited and you are not given a free reign to change a multitude of factors. Ultimately, you are condemned, for the first 60 days at least, to have a website built with amateur tools and hosted with Google branding at the bottom.

    Please see mine
    www brightinsite.co.uk

    (pls place the dot inbetween the www and domain name)
    Click to expand...

    I did. All it says is site under construction.
     
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    Experienced IT guy

    Experienced IT guy

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    Mar 1, 2010
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    Henley on thames, UK
  • #36
    I have been a customer of BT for over 30 years.

    I have suffered from their continuous mis-selling: "we offer you the best broadband: with is the best you can get on your phone line, there is no better deal" (less that half the speed I was and am getting at a net cost which is higher than I currently pay).

    I have been trying to change around phone line numbers "should take three days" according to two BT responses, "cant be done" according to one other, "three weeks" according to another two. so far it has taken 6 weeks with lines out of service for 3 of them and numerous (7 at last count) phone calls taking up to 3/4 hour to India have in no way helped. I would take almost any solution other than a BT one.

    As indicated: puchase your domain (it is usual to puchase the domain name licence from one ISP but host the actual site on another) thus if you are in dispute you can switch to a backup / alternate sit host almost overnight.
     
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