Help! Need to create a business website-cheap!

[JMLBrats]

I am trying to create a website for a small business and I am working with a very small budget. There are a ton of "create a free website" sites on the net, but looking into it, I know to get all the good features, you need to spend at least $100 which is fine but my question is:

can anyone recommend a help/create site they have used that has been successful and didn't cost too much.

Also, one that is relatively simple would be great since I don't have a ton of time. (I am actually doing this for someone else and happy to help but don't want to spend all my time on it)

Thanks!

 

[FlyingBelle]

I've used Weebly.com. They have a free version, and a Pro version. They changed what's included in the free version recently, so I can't comment on that, but the pro version is about $50 a year.

You can you their domain to create a free domain name, or you can purchase one and use it on their site.

Hope that helps. I've used them for several years now. It's pretty easy to use, but I'm sure there are better ones out there too.

 

[MrsDuck]

I am trying to create a website for a small business and I am working with a very small budget. There are a ton of "create a free website" sites on the net, but looking into it, I know to get all the good features, you need to spend at least $100 which is fine but my question is:

can anyone recommend a help/create site they have used that has been successful and didn't cost too much.

Also, one that is relatively simple would be great since I don't have a ton of time. (I am actually doing this for someone else and happy to help but don't want to spend all my time on it)

Thanks!

Another vote for Weebly! It's great!

 

[timmac]

I'll start by offering that I do a fair bit of web work for various clients, so my opinion is from that point of view.

There are a lot of those "cheap site" services available, with a variety of options on ease of use and the like. In general, I love them all. Why? Because eventually they provide me with more clients.

Though many of those sites are great for giving business some type of presence on the web, most dno't do much (if anything) to address the basic questions of what business goals one wants to achieve with their site, or any notion of long-term vision beyond simply "getting something up there for as cheap as possible".

Though I'm offering a bit of cynicism of course, I don't mean to totally steer you away from using such an option, but rather to be aware that it should only be a short term solution. Eventually, if this business does well, you're going to need and want more from your web presence than what a cheap $100 site will provide.

Something you will want to do is to keep in mind a few good principles of site development, particuarly the landing page (e.g home page)... hours of operation, contact information, and any other pertinent details need to be plainly visible right on the first page, without a user having to scroll. There are plenty of other little details too, but the idea is to think long and hard about how to make sure this site actually helps your business by driving customers, etc.

Good luck!

 

[sam_gordon]

Googlesites? http://sites.google.com There are templates and it's WYSIWYG. I used it for a Middle School Team for two years, not a business, but it wasn't hard to get going or keep up.

 

[JMLBrats]

Thanks for all the great replies. I guess have to check them all out and decide. It really does need to be pretty basic. Just need to be able to easily add photos and update photos periodically. Also need to have hours of operation and contact info on first page.

 

[potterfanatic]

Second vote for Wordpress. I just created my first website recently and wordpress has so many different options and help sites.

 

[Kameron Milne]

Sorry for bumping the old thread, but I'm wondering if the OP is still here, can you share your experience please? Have you manage to create your business? How did you start?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry for bumping the old thread, but I'm wondering if the OP is still here, can you share your experience please? Have you manage to create your business? How did you start?

@JMLBrats