How do you create a website on a budget?

[iBusiness Forums]

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?

HI there,

Look for a friend of yours that create websites, then ask for a discount. What are friends for? For me, I have many budding and extremely talented web designers looking for part time work or projects which can even enhance their portfolio.

If you don't have friends, then look for those outsourcing sites such as freelancer, odesk, elance and you'll see those skillfull webmasters who can work on a project at reasonable fees.

 

[j_harrion01]

First of all make a plan & budget in which you have to create it. Then take a help from your friends to make any website.

 

[StuartDavidson]

I find the cheapest way to setup websites without using those rubbish drag and drop sites like Weebly is to buy premade themes and customise as you need.

You can buy WordPress themes or templates from online marketplaces and most hosting provides have quick-install software that takes 2 minutes to install WordPress.

If you have zero coding or CMS knowledge, then choose a theme that mirrors this (check descriptions as some are built for drag and drop setup).

I wrote a tutorial on how to how to install and configure a WordPress blogging theme which may be of use. You can read it here:

stuartjdavidson.com/wordpress-blogging-theme

Anything I can help with, just ask.

 

[fisicx]

The theme isn't important. The theme isn't important. The theme isn't important. The theme isn't important.

I'll say that again.

The theme isn't important.

The content and navigation is key to the success of your site. Get that right and pretty much any theme you use will be OK.

 

[zigojacko]

To many points in multiple posts in this thread to quote individually but just to pick up on something raised in many of them...

Cheap hardly EVER means good. What many businesses don't realise is that you're paying for the expertise in not just delivering a finished product but for the X amount of years that the specialist has spent on perfecting their skill set, developing their commercial experience and learning their trade. This, you cannot put a price on.

There's a vast difference in just knocking up a website for an online presence and conducting the necessary market research, understanding a niche audience as well as knowing what works and what doesn't with a website in general, spending the time, expertise and necessary skills in planning, wireframing, roadmapping a website project that caters to the smallest of details that essentially converts visitors into customers rather than just doesn't do the job it's meant to.

A website should be considered an investment (not an expense). With the right agency fronting up the project and a business owner that is serious, it should be possible to predict website revenue. With this information, if a website is going to set back the business £20k but it is estimated to generate a revenue of £100k in it's first year then any business ought to be considering this is a pretty decent investment (and this stabilises a position to improve year on year) - at the same time, many business take the mindset of 'why on earth would I pay £20k for a website build when joe bloggs down the road is promising a bespoke website for £500'. This is the flaw and the largely misconceived mentality in the industry.

The business isn't just paying for a website. It's paying for a solid marketing channel for that business, for years to come...

If you start out by looking for a cheap website, or the cheapest ways of getting a website going, then you are literally paying for minimal attention to your business or needs for your potential customers. And this is basically money down the drain because you'll be left with something that ends up being an expense due to the cost of running it rather than something that's going to drive your business forward and create the necessary ROI for further development and progression.

Most designers/developers offering cheap websites don't have that experience and expertise that is ideally required in a serious build of a website and subsequently don't value their own skillset. And before all the other members on this forum that offer websites for £100 start jumping in... I'm talking:-

Branding
Typography
Eye Tracking
User Behaviour
Onsite Movement
Usability
User Experience
Targeted Copywriting
Site Architecture
Colour Palettes
Graphical Elements
Testing

etc etc.

And that's without even covering technical elements that will make a website perform optimally like:-

Internal Linkage
Page Hierarchy
URL Rewriting & Formatting
Redirects
Robots Directives
Strategy
Index/Follow Directives
Header Responses
Handling Query Parameters
Handling Duplicate Content
Handling Language & Location

etc etc

So many businesses (and many actually in the industry) fail to understand exactly what goes into a website so also undervalue how important this is to succeeding online.

I know I'd rather invest £20k into a website that is going to generate £100k of revenue in it's first year and then a £250k in it's second, £500k in it's third rather than a website that doesn't stand out from the crowd and generates a trickle of sales and is going to require a revamp/rebuild and further investment anyway in order for the business to keep going. Wouldn't you?

 

[CarlBradshaw]

Set up a wordpress.com site for free.

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

Totally agree, and for $13pa you can add your own domain.

 

[Philip19]

If you want to save time and manpower, you can try out website builders available on the internet. I have created several websites and have found ImCreator.com to be the best among all the other website builders. It's free, powerful and really easy to use. It's got a ton of features that can create powerful websites. You should give it a try,

 

[Uwe (Invoiceberry)]

Hi there,

If you want to use any website builders to get started for free (or a small monthly fee), then have a look at my blog post here: http://blog.invoiceberry.com/2013/11/top-10-website-builders-create-small-business-website/

These are the major website builders which are available at the moment. If you go for a company like GoDaddy always remember to search for promotion codes. You often can get the first year .com domain name for $0.99

Have a great day,
Uwe

 

[Lynette]

I started my business with a website I made on Wordpress. It wasn't ideal but it was able to suit my requirements until a time that I could afford to invest in a professional website being built for me. I think the most important thing is to buy a domain name and have it transferred to your free website and to keep the site as simple as possible. I usually get mine from Google so I have a free email address or from 123 reg. Don't feel like you have to use all the widgets and extras, tag clouds for example are not necessary! Fill your site with excellent content and make sure it's fast to load (keep images to a minimum), that's the most important thing. As your business grows you can then invest it in a better website that serves you and your customers.

 

[fisicx]

If you want to use any website builders to get started for free (or a small monthly fee), then have a look at my blog post

Don't use any of them. Ever. Sorry Uwe but the website creators you suggest are Bad JuJu.

 

[broadex]

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

I agree the price is quite fair. However i just wanted to find out if you are pretty good with wordpress as i need a private job done. Mainly fixes on a wordpress site. I havent posted the site link here as im not sure if its allowed. Thanks

 

[Uwe (Invoiceberry)]

Don't use any of them. Ever. Sorry Uwe but the website creators you suggest are Bad JuJu.

I don't think that they are bad. It just really depends what kind of business you are in and what kind of website you want to have to represent your business. A lot of small businesses which don't want or maybe can't afford to spend £1,000+ for a website may want to use a website builder.

Best,
Uwe

 

[zigojacko]

I don't think that they are bad. It just really depends what kind of business you are in and what kind of website you want to have to represent your business. A lot of small businesses which don't want or maybe can't afford to spend £1,000+ for a website may want to use a website builder.

Best,
Uwe

They are bad from a technical and flexibility standpoint. All website builders are.
There are much better alternatives out there - even cheap hosting with one click Wordpress installs are better for a business.

 

[Uwe (Invoiceberry)]

However, even Wordpress is too complicated for a lot of business owners. We have to think about a few very important points when a business thinks about starting a website. Okay, cheap hosting with Wordpress installs might be in the same budget range as website builders, but are they also as simple to use as the website builders?

 

[fisicx]

A lot of small businesses which don't want or maybe can't afford to spend £1,000+ for a website may want to use a website builder.

I agree that many can't afford £1000+. But a simple standalone site can be put together for under £100 and will perform far better than any of the site builders and will repay that investment many times over.

 

[That Bates Girl]

However, even Wordpress is too complicated for a lot of business owners.

It really isn't, or at least it shouldn't be. It might take a bit of time to get to grips with the basics, but not that long. And, frankly, if you *can't* get to grips with the basics of Wordpress, then you probably shouldn't be looking after your own web presence in the first place.

(I know, that sounds harsh, but the same goes for bookkeeping, accountancy, plumbing, translation work, and anything else which requires even a basic level of specialist knowledge.)

There are some situations where Wordpress isn't a good/the best choice - but none where a website builder is a better option.

Lyds

 

[jamesosix]

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.

Unless of course, the site is good quality

Another way to save money, is by hiring me!

 

[That Bates Girl]

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.

Unless of course, the site is good quality

Quite. I work with a Wordpress developer who builds corporate sites for some pretty huge organisations, with pretty big budgets - you might be surprised if you know how much of the internet sits on top of Wordpress.

Lyds

 

[stsoftltd]

With all the tutorials in the internet you dont need a website creator. You can set up a decent wordpress site in a few weeks with a free theme.

 

[broadex]

Agree. One could also use free softwares or cheap software/webcreation tools like Yola and many more. I created my site from tutorials without web exprience: uktaxadvisors.com - Its not perfect but this saved me £2k that i was quoted by a UK web developer. Im sure you can get cheaper developers locally for less than this...if time is a factor.

 

[jamjam11]

However, even Wordpress is too complicated for a lot of business owners. We have to think about a few very important points when a business thinks about starting a website. Okay, cheap hosting with Wordpress installs might be in the same budget range as website builders, but are they also as simple to use as the website builders?

I started with Drupal, should be called "NIGHTMARE DROLL" Wordpress was to easy, if people cant search plugins for lets say the want to have a slideshow. So we do a google search like so.

Slideshow wordpress plugin.

If people can't do that, they should not be thinking of getting online.

I got ripped off by AMCS web and hosting design company in England. However i was a heavy XP user and asked around for advice on hosting and building sites. I went down the road of first turning my old tower pc into a linux server at home, just running on localhost. Next i looked at coding, learned the basic in css/html/php. I then rented my linode {vps} and started building one year ago. After 4 months making the vps secure, i then pulled my hair out for 5 months trying to get Drupal to operate. In the end i went with wordpress.

For anyone trying to do this on a budget, here is my plain advice, LEARN!!
Cause being successful is a bit like being pregnant, no one knows just how many times you have been F*****.

 

[That Bates Girl]

I created my site from tutorials without web exprience: uktaxadvisors.com

I hate to be the one to break bad news, but it shows.

I'd be curious to know whether that site has generated any business for you. Because I suspect it's scaring off way more customers than it's bringing in.

Lyds

 

[fisicx]

That's an example of a DIY wordpress site hasn't worked. It's not wordpress that is the problem, it's the lack of site planning that has resulted in what is technically know as 'a dog's dinner'. It would be the same if a site builder had been used.

And this is the problem with any DIY build. People just don't plan the customer journey. They don't consider who will use the site, how they interact, where they look on a site, what they expect to see (and where it is located), trust marks, usability, accessibility, the OS and device being used and so on.

 

[jamjam11]

I hate to be the one to break bad news, but it shows.

I'd be curious to know whether that site has generated any business for you. Because I suspect it's scaring off way more customers than it's bringing in.

Lyds

I know mine is bad, but girl, this puts the cap in the Bad!! And i like mine cause of the image work i have done with Gimp. LOL

 

[jamjam11]

That's an example of a DIY wordpress site hasn't worked. It's not wordpress that is the problem, it's the lack of site planning that has resulted in what is technically know as 'a dog's dinner'. It would be the same if a site builder had been used.

And this is the problem with any DIY build. People just don't plan the customer journey. They don't consider who will use the site, how they interact, where they look on a site, what they expect to see (and where it is located), trust marks, usability, accessibility, the OS and device being used and so on.

Hmmm i would be interested in hearing how i could improve my site, i have lots set up and working, like forums etc, my company can help lots on the export of products and sourcing from China, once people register they are taken to the profile page to set there profile up, on the second login there taken to a new landing page they never seen before. So yes i have it all there, but i feel my front page is.. ... ... ... yea. lol Can you share some help?

 

[fisicx]

Hmmm i would be interested in hearing how i could improve my site, ... So yes i have it all there, but i feel my front page is.. ... ... ... yea. lol Can you share some help?

Certainly, but help is only for full members. Sign up, pay your £40 and you can get a full website review.

 

[jamjam11]

Certainly, but help is only for full members. Sign up, pay your £40 and you can get a full website review.

I most certainly will after Christmas, right now i have other pressing matters that need my money and attention.

 

[GelatoChef]

Lots of different options out there, just have to do a lot of homework and work closely on it to make sure it's to your liking.

 

[theBagShoppe]

I think setting up a website is not big task but the main this is to establish an online presence, learning HTML/CSS doesn't make a person expert or professional in web development.

I think online presence has integrated solutions including website, social media (twitter, facebook etc.) blogs etc. Website design/development is first step, If someone is doing a small business he/she shouldn't spend too much money start, he/she should get a informational site and then start working on online presence, when someone get exposure then he/she can get better version. We offer 5 page website with business card + Letterhead design in just $75 for small businesses.

Regarding Wordpress, I don't agree that getting simple website is enough. designing is not a part of free website site. You need to hire a good designer for that as well so that he can help you to spruce up the site, otherwise just plain Wordpress site will not serve the purpose.

 

[MyEventBucket]

I agree. Start off with a Wordpress Blog and use it as a workaround. It won't cost you anything apart from buying a domain name. You can alter it as time goes by until things pick up.

 

[GB Showplates]

Set up a wordpress.com site for free.
Don't think you can get much cheaper than that

Personally I would pay the cost of around £50 to register a domain and host it for a year. It's small change to any new business, and provides them with the ability to obtain a far more memorable website address. They also benefit from @Domain email addresses and more cohesive branding.

With regards to building your companies first website, wordpress is really the obvious choice for any SME. Free themes are an option, but sites like themeforest provide premium themes that cost around $45. Premium themes generally offer a big cosmetic improvement on free themes, and the free support provided by premium theme authors will likely be invaluable for anyone trying to customize a wordpress theme for the first time.

 

[Primeaspire]

If you don't have the tech skills or time to learn, then you could use a freelancer to get the job done.

 

[fisicx]

I wouldn't. Most of the design schools haven't got a clue on how to create an effective website. They are very good at pretty but hopeless at building a converting website

 

[dpasssupportservices]

Websites can be created on a budget DPASS Support Services are one available business that could assist in terms of having a website on a budget it all depends on your need, demand, and requirements. Small to medium sized businesses usually go for a standard e-commerce site for selling or a basic business website offering service information hope this helps.

 

[vigneshmiet]

For a big company having a website with all social networking tools and payment integration's will help your customers to know more about your products and they can easily get your offers as well.

Building a new website will increase your business revenue and invest in your website..Dont go to a free website because the website is a medium where you will get more leads. So create a website more user friendly.

 

[Ian@Compel]

I paid a web designer £300 to build a site for me, they used word press. They built it using materials and brand provided by myself and brand designers that we paid over £1000 to. I couldn't be happier (except the portraits, I don't photograph well), the quality of the site is not determined by WordPress but by the content you add to it. By all means save a few quid on the web build itself as long as you trust the content going on to it!

Our website is not live yet as we're still working out the bugs, but that is something you have to do yourself.

TL;DR - Using word press doesn't mean poor website.

 

[LikeToHelp]

Great article: http://liketohelp.com/what-makes-a-good-versus-bad-website.html

 

[LikeToHelp]

Another great article: http://liketohelp.com/5-things-to-avoid-when-creating-a-busines-website.html

 

[william04]

Website cost could vary according to its complex functionality and creativity. But generally if we outsource our complex tasks and try rest thing to complete ourselves we can surely cut down the total budget.

 

[websitemango]

I would advise you to go with a web hosting package that offers free website builder if you do not want to go into some level of programming. If you are willing to learn a bit more and spend more time with it go with a hosting that has one click install wordpress and you can buy for quite cheap a fancy wordpress theme. The problem with the free wordpress.org sites that the plugin capabilities are much more limited. But you can get a good hosting for £4 a month.

The other advantage of going with the wordpress option is that if you will need some custom plugin or want a custom designed theme you can still pay for a professional web design and developer company to do that for you and your content would already be there.