Websites Designed for Free
Some clients who order custom graphic art services already have a website, and that's okay. I'm busy, so if they're happy I never push for a custom makeover. If asked, I may provide tips to consider for the future depending on their situation. You will probably receive value equal to what you pay with a free website design.
The typical client is a realtor or mortgage broker tied in to an association who offers free websites for members. For new business owners who are just starting out this fits their budget perfectly. Sometimes it's enough just having a www domain name for your business to print on business cards. Once established, the downside is you have a website that looks just like 1000 others surrounded by a family of competing businesses.
If the cookie cutter clone meets your expectations and budget, websites designed for free are worthwhile. If your intent is to attract new business through search engines, being just like everyone else may not be enough. The value weakens if you are hosted as a subdomain of an association's main website and you do not have a company top level domain, or TLD.
Free is okay to get started. To attract search results to your site, an independent website that is not stored with similar competing businesses is the best way to go.
Another scenario is a small business owner with a cousin, nephew, or other relative who offers to do the website as a courtesy. If the project drags out or you're unhappy with the work, firing a relative may not be easy. Software allows practically anyone to create a website with drag and drop features. If your amateur web designer doesn't understand the hidden features necessary in the code to attract search engines and visitors, success will be difficult.
It's all about "if". Count the number of times the word "if" is in this post. Consider your expectations, and then get quotes from established web developers for comparison to help in your decision.
TAGS: small business advice website design search engines small business resources
The typical client is a realtor or mortgage broker tied in to an association who offers free websites for members. For new business owners who are just starting out this fits their budget perfectly. Sometimes it's enough just having a www domain name for your business to print on business cards. Once established, the downside is you have a website that looks just like 1000 others surrounded by a family of competing businesses.
If the cookie cutter clone meets your expectations and budget, websites designed for free are worthwhile. If your intent is to attract new business through search engines, being just like everyone else may not be enough. The value weakens if you are hosted as a subdomain of an association's main website and you do not have a company top level domain, or TLD.
Free is okay to get started. To attract search results to your site, an independent website that is not stored with similar competing businesses is the best way to go.
Another scenario is a small business owner with a cousin, nephew, or other relative who offers to do the website as a courtesy. If the project drags out or you're unhappy with the work, firing a relative may not be easy. Software allows practically anyone to create a website with drag and drop features. If your amateur web designer doesn't understand the hidden features necessary in the code to attract search engines and visitors, success will be difficult.
It's all about "if". Count the number of times the word "if" is in this post. Consider your expectations, and then get quotes from established web developers for comparison to help in your decision.
TAGS: small business advice website design search engines small business resources
Jim Degerstrom 
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