Creating A Business Website On A Budget

The modern small business is completely spoiled in comparison to companies of 20+ years ago. Back then, you had little chance of cracking your niche and becoming a big name because you simply couldn’t afford the necessary level of advertising. To create a business website on a budget, all you really need is a reliable and fast broadband connection because building a website for free is a possibility. There are numerous free website builders on offer though the end product will be low-key, unoriginal and probably bland. To be seen amid the millions of websites, you need to create something special and that isn’t easy on a budget.

Beginning the Process

You need to have a realistic budget limit for your website because the process can get every expensive if you don’t pay attention. To be honest, you should consider investing in a professional template which can cost as little as $200 or as much as $2,000. Choose a free content management system such as Drupal and start developing content.

You could write your own material though it is possible to get a qualified native English speaking writer for around $10 an hour or less if you catch them at the very start of their career. Otherwise, this price will be $40+. Keyword research is important as you need to find the phrases that are searched for by online visitors. Google Adwords Keyword Tool is free and you can take out a monthly subscription on a program like WordTracker for as little as $20 a month. Be sure to avail of any free trial offer they may have. Then there are the twin issues of web hosting and domain name registration, neither of which are expensive.

Promotion

Aside from ensuring that the site is well optimized for SEO, you can promote it on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook for free. Simply set up accounts on these sites and create business pages. Every piece of content you post on your site should have social buttons on the bottom of the page to encourage visitors to share with friends on social networking sites. Begin posting content on these networking sites and link it back to your website. Prepare to answer questions and reply to comments in order to improve brand recognition. As an added bonus, social networking sites are featuring more prominently on search engine results so if you have a significant social presence, it will be reflected on Google.

Don’t underestimate the value of adding videos to your website. You can record yourself with a Smartphone and create a short introductory video explaining who you are and what your company does. Put the video on Vimeo, YouTube and your website’s home page. Videos are great ways of connecting with visitors so consider creating a video blog every few weeks and focus on an area you are passionate about.

The advent of the Internet means that small businesses can become a big deal. Creating a website on a budget has never been easier and if it’s done correctly, it can significantly improve your company’s visibility as it welcomes new visitors and customers.