Outsource or DIY – what are your options for a business website?
Need a website for your business? Should you build it yourself or outsource the work? We look at four options to build your business website.
It’s never been easier to start your business on a low budget. However, for aspiring entrepreneurs the cost of getting online successfully can quickly add up.
Anybody who’s ever tried to start an online business with a low budget has quickly discovered that, for the best exposure, you need to pay for several premium features on most web building platforms.
Basic and free features often give you little control over your site, control which ads are displayed and only include a sub-domain name. Naturally you will want your website to appear more polished and professional. So, which budget-friendly options are available?
Outsource or DIY – what are your options for a business website?
To help you decide which way to go, we look at four options to build your business website.
1) Outsource the work
It might have the highest price tag, but outsourcing your web design work is often worth it if you have little to no experience of creating websites.
If you’d rather focus on the other aspects of your business, you can pass the work to somebody who brings websites to life on a daily basis. For example, MonthlyWeb offer pay monthly websites to allow business owners to spread the cost of creating and managing this crucial online space for their brand.
2) Do it yourself with a user-friendly website builder
If you’re hoping to spend as little as possible, a user-friendly website building tool such as Wix or WordPress could be a suitable option for you.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that to get the most out of these website creators, you’ll usually need to upgrade to their premium or business package. This comes with a fee, but you’ll be able to enjoy necessary business features such as a custom domain name, e-commerce options and the ability to create user accounts and allow reviews.
3) Hire a freelancer
You may be able to get a good deal for a basic website design on freelancing platforms such as Fiverr. If you’re unsure where to start when building your own website using a tool or CMS such as WordPress or Wix, you can pay a freelancer a small fee to put it together for you.
Or, if you’re looking to expand your budget further to cover a fully custom website, a freelance developer can bring your ideas to life from scratch.
4) Build it yourself
So, you’re hoping to be a successful entrepreneur and you know some code and can navigate your way around the backend of a website. If your strength lies in web design, you might want to consider cutting costs by doing it yourself.
However, bear in mind that it’s always worth weighing up the pros of outsourcing – make sure that you’re still able to keep up with the other essential processes of getting your startup off the ground.
Content management systems such as Joomla and Drupal are popular choices amongst entrepreneurs with some coding and web design experience. If you are seeking further skill enhancement, visit Debug Academy for specialized Drupal courses.
Today, the most important part of a business is quickly becoming its online presence. A well-designed, user-friendly website is a crucial part of any brand’s online strategies, so carefully consider your previous experience in web design before heading down the DIY route.
Read more tips on building a business website
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