How do you create a website on a budget?

[MatthewSBN]

A good website lends credibility to a small business. But, as serial entrepreneur James Caan explains, getting your company online needn't be expensive.

What tips do you have for boosting your company's online presence?

 

[fisicx]

Set up a wordpress.com site for free.

Don't think you can get much cheaper than that.

The article isn't really much use as it's mostly marketing puff. There are plenty of practical and more useful articles available.

for example:
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/jul/22/self-employment-set-up-website

and:
http://www.thesitewizard.com/gettingstarted/startwebsite.shtml

 

[Baz Watkins]

Fisicx pretty much covers it. One bit of advice, keep the website simple for customers to use, and make sue that all the written content is targeted at your customer base. Put yourself in your customers shoes, think like they think and then deliver what they want.

 

[Anazoth]

Well you could always learn html and css to make a basic website for yourself. If you would like more complicated features such as accounts, networking, sales then you would need to learn additional codin like javascript and php and this is when it gets a lottle complicate.

For someone not as tech savvy. I recommend buying a domain and hosting from lcn (google it as I can't post links while under 30 posts). This is the providor I use and it couldn't get any easier. It comes with free appz such as wordpress, joomla, an e-commerce and many more which can be installed at a click of a button. The price for this, .com domain, hosting, email addresses etc work out at approximately £60 for a year which in my opinion is a bargain as I have not had any bother with them and they answer all my queries within 24 hours.

I personally prefer coding myself as I know exactly what I want but you can set up a professional site in minutes using the pre installed apps. I don't recommend spending a lot of money getting it done professionally as it's only a small business, a professional designer can run up thousands for you.

 

[Anazoth]

I apologise for the spelling mistakes. This was typed.from my phone lol.

 

[mattearlycom]

In response to the original posters question, a tip for boosting a companies online presence is by becoming an expert in the particular service or product.

 

[OlegLola]

I think that if you want to establish your presence in the Internet and show yourself as a professional, it's not enough just to set up site on Wordpress. It'll look like you save money and don't mind the quality of your site.

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

I develop Wordpress and Joomla 5 page sites for £100 and £200 (plus hosting, not shared at £25 pa)

People question how a site can be done at this cost, but if worked right it can be and the sites are built by me alone and not farmed out to India etc, optimised for the web and my clients like them.

Plenty of ways to get an online presence on a budget.

Good luck

 

[burn1972]

For smaller businesses I'd advise blogging. Developing a name as a source of information in your respective field improves the consumers faith in your abilities, while establishing a more intimate relationship with your consumer base.

 

[seoswat]

I think that if you want to establish your presence in the Internet and show yourself as a professional, it's not enough just to set up site on Wordpress. It'll look like you save money and don't mind the quality of your site.

Have to 100% disagree with this post.

There is a reason why majority of corporate facing websites are built using Wordpress - its not just about it being free - its about its ease of use, ability to customise as much as the level of experience and ability to give a very professional looking website for facing your customers.

Like Fisicx said at first reply, Wordpress would be your best starting place. Pick up a free theme - there are literally thousands out there and just add your content. Thats a great first start.

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Im with SEO swat here. I would challenge maybe (non developers) to tell me the difference between developed sites and Wordpress sites. OK I know that a lot of first timers Wordpress sites can look samey but with a little time and imagination they can look great.

 

[mattearlycom]

Have to 100% disagree with this post.

There is a reason why majority of corporate facing websites are built using Wordpress - its not just about it being free - its about its ease of use, ability to customise as much as the level of experience and ability to give a very professional looking website for facing your customers.

Like Fisicx said at first reply, Wordpress would be your best starting place. Pick up a free theme - there are literally thousands out there and just add your content. Thats a great first start.

Although I agree with your post completely, I think the poster was actually talking about setting up a free website on wordpress.com

 

[OlegLola]

Although I agree with your post completely, I think the poster was actually talking about setting up a free website on wordpress.com

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[dragonsfire1981]

Having an online presence by writing interesting, engaging articles- which could be linked to a blog but could also be posted on one of these "expert" directories (some which have a high Alexa ranking) or a relevant trade journal; also interacting with the "community" by engaging in places like forums, other networks but adding value to discussions... Being genuinely interesting, having an different take, or even being controversial in your field!

There are lots of ways to get indirect traffic. These days it is also possible to get business/ work through targeted use of Twitter.

What tips do you have for boosting your company's online presence?

 

[LikeToHelp]

Remember it's not just about knocking up a website. The skill in creating a successful website is to creating engaging content for your consumers and present it in a well structure manner that your consumers will find appealing and easy to digest. From then on keep it up to date with great content and they will keep them coming back for more. A successful website needs well structured Information Architecture, appealing and well written content, a website with great user experience (this is about choosing the most appropriate functionality beneficial for your users), a nice design with clean layout, solid SEO and good online marketing to drive visitors and convert them to customers. Anyone can knock up a website using Wordpress but it's not a trivial matter to create a successful website that will help your business thrive. That's why web designers and developers train for many years. If you want a successful website for your business then it pays to get a professional to create it for you.

 

[Chris from Mobus]

We use wordpress as a base for our clients because it's such an easy to use CMS for them when we hand it over. We need to be happy that the 'non-tetchy' clients understand how to access their website's backend, particularly if we're building functionality such as a bookin platform, where they'll need to login and confirm the bookings. We don't just use Wordpress, but it's damn good simply because of all the plugins available through the community. And, even the cheapest of hosts will offer wordpress of you choose not to gorge free route.

 

[Chris from Mobus]

Also, regarding content, remember to write for the reader. There's a big push for companies to use a conversational tone of voice at the moment (look at Virgin Media's website). Make site to use everyday language. Instead of 'we will' use 'we'll'. Use personal pronouns like I, we and us. Instead of 'Mobus can host your site', it should be 'WE can host YOUR site', for example. Talk to the reader and they'll feel engaged.

 

[Alan]

We use Wordpress too, but the quality of the website has nothing to do with WordPress.

Think of Wordpress (the software not WordPress.com ) just as an administration backend. What gets served to the website users is totally down to designers / content creators, it can be as professional or as amatuer as you like / can afford/ are capable of.

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

As mentioned Wordpress is just the back end to add content and make minor changes to the website in terms of menus and CSS etc if the client is up to it. I use Wordpress and it is easy to get around the CMS. I also use Joomla and that, while a little more complicated to work around also offers a great CMS.

 

[fisicx]

AlsoThere's a big push for companies to use a conversational tone of voice at the moment (look at Virgin Media's website).

It's a horrible site.

All of the innovations big business latches onto are driven by marketing wonks. And over time thay all get dropped.

For example: video presenters wecoming you to the site, sliders and carousels, flash, image backgrounds, tagclouds, personalisation....

 

[Alan]

Never really looked at virgin media site, but it is one big affiliate site!!!

 

[Chris from Mobus]

It's a horrible site.

All of the innovations big business latches onto are driven by marketing wonks. And over time thay all get dropped.

For example: video presenters wecoming you to the site, sliders and carousels, flash, image backgrounds, tagclouds, personalisation....

The site may be horrible (like their telephone customer service!) but there's no denying their incorporation of the plain English campaign. I don't think anyone would resort back to convoluted jargon, as it just confuses people.

Council websites are notoriously bad for this. Harrow council always refer to themselves as 'Harrow Council' rather than 'we'. I think you're right about marketing gimmicks, but I don't think writing clearly for your customers falls under this category. I can't think of a reason why I'd want to confuse potential customers.

 

[fisicx]

I disagee. I think the matey chatty tone very condescending. Making it personable is meaningless because it's just some corporate copywriter churning out the guff.

If you are using personal pronouns you have got your message the wrong way round. Eg: 'we can host your site' should be 'hosting for your website cost £9.99 per month'.

 

[stsoftltd]

I have to agree that the best way to get your company online is wordpress or joomla. Lots of free themes and e.t.c. You can also try to create some blogs to help you generate traffic. If you want to get a more professional site you can always search for some freelancers(programmers) or web desing companies in cheaper destinations.

 

[Uwe (Invoiceberry)]

A good website lends credibility to a small business. But, as serial entrepreneur James Caan explains, getting your company online needn't be expensive.

What tips do you have for boosting your company's online presence?

Once the website is online ANY UK-based small business owner should register on a variety of small business directories in order to get exposure FOR FREE.

We just recently published a list of 35 UK business directories for B2C and B2B business. You can find it here: Top 35 UK Business Directories To Get Your Small Business Noticed

 

[Ian J]

Another alternative is to buy a pack of html and css templates from say Timothy Web Templates for $29 and develop a site yourself using Microsoft Web Expression 4 which is free.

It isn't too difficult

 

[HostXNow]

Signup for hosting account which has Softaculous included and it allows you to easily install popular scripts such as WordPress etc. We also include RVSiteBuilder which is a popular website builder to help design, create & manage your website(s).

More info at http://www.hostxnow.com/softaculous & http://www.hostxnow.com/rvsitebuilder

 

[strikingedge]

Forget the website - develop your social media presence.

That's where your customers are.

 

[pickaweb]

If you are on a budget I would recommend setting up a website yourself using a website builder tool and going for a shared hosting account.

 

[fisicx]

If you are on a budget I would recommend setting up a website yourself using a website builder tool and going for a shared hosting account.

Noooooo!

The second you do this you lose control of your website. All you will get is a DIY site that is ineffective and inefficient and will lose you more business than it will gain.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What a load of rubbish

Nobody should start a e-commerce business thinking what is the cheapest way to do it, there should be a definite business plan for the whole project and then calculate what items fir the plan

Time and Time again you find someone on this forum saying where are my sales as if a site on it's own will make them rich.

There should be a bit of morality by the sellers explaining business plans are needed. So many more companies could wait until they have the basic resources to start and possibly win, rather than rush in ill advised and expect the marvel of the web to jump through their door with a simple web site and nothing else (ten years ago they could, but not now)

 

[strikingedge]

Nobody should start a e-commerce business thinking what is the cheapest way to do it, there should be a definite business plan for the whole project and then calculate what items fir the plan

Have to disagree. Everyone should start a business thinking about the cheapest way to do stuff.

I see companies spending £25K, £250K and more to get a website that is only a bit more polished than something that would have cost them £1K.

You need to sell a lot of products to generate the profit to pay for expensive site builds.

Everyone thinks about revenues, some people think about cash flow, but very few think about costs.

Keeping your costs to an absolute minimum is one of the easiest ways to boost your profits.

So it is perfectly justifiable and sensible to start an e-commerce business thinking about the cheapest way to do it.

 

[@Peter]

In my opinion you can create a quality website totally on a budget and by yourself. There are two big advantages when you follow this route; 1) Cost saving and 2) Control over your own website.

My experience is that the key to any website's success (either self built or built by a website designer) is the combination between the following factors:

1. Look and feel
2. Quality content that the audience wants
3. Fast and responsive website
4. The aspect of to sell is not to sell
5. As little as possible ads as they distract the viewer's attention from your content.

the big this is to get the balance right. Then you will see an exponential increase in website traffic and audience engagement. Before you even start with your project you should analyze what your audience wants otherwise you may end up building a website that don't fit any purpose except what you THINK your audience wants. For people doing it themselves I recommend WordPress because of various factors.

Hope this was helpful.

Peter
Expert Author
Cool Website Designs

 

[web-design-stories]

If your customers see that you care about your website, about them and every single detail of your work, it will make you more professional in your customers eyes.

Going for the cheapest option isn't the way, if you plan to have business where there are around 10 visitors monthly.. it's fine to have cheap or free website, but that won't take you far. Reality is that you need to spend money to achieve something.

 

[smarterbarcodes]

I would and have used Wordpress, its free, easy to customize, there are tons of free themes and TONS of free addons and plugins. Many host these days offer a free download and install from the Cpanel.

Good luck.

 

[EasyEquipment]

Using Wordpress is probably the easiest thing to do. I would recommend using BLueHost as the hosting co, and they do a free install of wordpress for you. Its so simple to do and then just use a purchased theme to customise. You can add and change the feel how you want using built in editor. Also, you get a free domain with them to. Not bad

 

[broadex]

also try sites like freelancer.com for cheaper Indian website developers

 

[fisicx]

Nope, don't do that. The cheaper Indian developers are mostly hopeless. Great if you want a standard theme but useless if you need anything bespoke.

 

[NextPoint]

Everyone talks about doing things as cheaply as possible, but it's important not to confuse value with price alone. Poor value can be both cheap and expensive. Good value is all about the results it generates you. Think of it like tuition - it is of no value if the tuition you buy doesn't improve your grades.

 

[amitaharij]

1. Provide valuable and honest information to consumers on your website

2. Expand your presence online slowly

3. Integrate your online strategy with your traditional advertising