Not all that long ago it took a professional web designer and development team to design, program, and implement a website. Prices were expensive and not guaranteed. They needed to be experts in graphics and manipulation, FTP software, C Panels, and search engine technology, even though it was in its infancy. Fast forward to the 21st century, and we find there is more than one easy way to make a website for free.
The entire concept of high level websites has been completely changed over the past few years. Most of the programming has become automated and behind the scenes. Software and “executive programs” have replaced what web designers were originally meant to do decades ago.
The advent of template based websites took over the industry. Small companies, large companies, sole proprietors, and stay at home moms offering babysitting services learned how to build their own websites that included everything from pictures, graphics, animation, newsletter generation, autoresponders, RSS feeds, and fully integrated user friendly shopping cards. For free.
Companies that allow you to build free websites are easy to find. Anyone familiar with Microsoft and Windows Live has probably taken advantage of building their website there for free (for one year). You have a choice of whether you want to buy your own domain name, or have a free URL which would include not only your company, but theirs as well. Depending on why you have a website should help you decide if you want to pay for a domain name. If you are a babysitter, or you simply want to be able to share family activities with others who live far away, you probably don’t need the added expense of having your own domain.
The difference would be similar to this: www.yahoo.freesites.yourcompanyname.com vs. Having your own domain name, which would be www.yourcompanyname.com. Either is acceptable, but it all depends on what you’re selling. There’s a certain level of professionalism that is expected, and your domain name is very important.
Another option is to use a blog site as your website. Some blogging sites are better than others depending on how much you can manipulate it or add your own code. Certain blogs provide a variety of templates, and each one can use certain gadgets or widgets that can be customized to your needs. Other than that, most of these websites will be very similar.
If you don’t want to use a blog, then you can use a free template provided by one of the many companies out there who do this, but then you’ll need to find a reliable and cheap hosting company.
Many small businesses have discovered that it’s cheaper and equally if not more effective to fire the people who were responsible for daily website upkeep, and do it themselves. Anyone who ever used a web designer to upload simple photos or change prices or edit a home page knows about the unreasonable monthly charges to do these simple tasks. “Cheap” and “free” can still turn into beautiful and functional websites that can save you a small fortune, free up some capital, and allow you to get things in real time without waiting for someone else to do it for you.
Dhruv Patel is a customer of DreamHost. He has created site to help new DreamHost customers and to promote DreamHost by giving DreamHost coupon.
