There is a catch with Free Websites

Wednesday, 17 November 2010 00:00

Was watching a cute and catchy video ad by a company offering Free Websites. 

We won't name who - there's plenty around so won't pick on this particular one.

What occurred to us is that most businesses, particularly start up ones, would have no idea that (despite what they say) there is a catch if you got your website for free. 

In fact, there is more than one - here's what to look out for.

free-websiteA free website a good idea if:

  • You don't mind having a limited choice of layout
  • You are happy to choose from a set of prescribed designs - colours, fonts etc
  • You are happy to upload the content yourself
  • You are happy to have limited functionality
  • You have a few ideas about what structure you should have
  • You have a good idea of the content you are going to create and how to optimise it for search
  • You are happy to go with whatever reporting tools that are on offer
  • You are comfortable enough with technology to learn as you go and 'figure things out'
  • If you don't mind using images that your cousin took or that are freely available for everyone else to use

What you get when you pay a professional:

  • Experience and advice on how to make your website successful.
  • A design that is in keeping with your brand
  • A design that create the kind of experience you want your customers to have
  • A design that can evolve
  • Ongoing, personal support

But it doesn't take long to setup a website

It does if it's a site that reflects your businesses unique offer and needs.

A professional web design company will also:

  • Develop a design that is unique
  • Research your competitors
  • Optimise your site for search - and No One can do this without discussing your search strategy
  • Work to develop a site structure and content architecture that is the optimum one for your business
  • Create or source professional images and graphics 
  • Test functionality on a range of browsers and operating systems
  • Recommend reporting tools that will give you real insights

So how come this crowd offer me a free website?

Most of the free website offers involve a website that is automatically created, a bit like getting something from a vending machine.  So you click a few buttons and choose templates already loaded.  There is very little that the provider has to do, other than make sure the machinery driving the system is working.  They'll usually want you to host your website with them for a small fee, that covers these costs.

Think about it - how much work would you do for free?

So should I get a free website?

It can be a perfectly workable solution in certain situations:

  • The most important thing is to have 'something'
  • You're not fussy about the design, as long as it looks OK
  • You really, truly have no money
  • You have time to research and then create compelling content
  • You're doing it for practise.  Or a laugh.  Or a school project.
< Prev   Next >