The real price of a website: Analysis of free sites

The real price of a website: analysis of free sites. A website today is no longer worth as much as 10 years ago. It does not offer the same results either. Today, to see an attractive website, a website that brings customers, you must additionally set up

The real price of a website: analysis of free sites. A website today is no longer worth as much as 10 years ago. It does not offer the same results either. Today, to see an attractive website, a website that brings customers, you must additionally set up Internet techniques that include Search Engine Optimization, content marketing, efficient use of social networks and presence on many sites in addition to yours.

The fact that you have a website that is cheaper… and even free sometimes. Free site offers are common today. What does it really mean? How do they really earn their living?

In short:

When you use a FREE site tool you have to pay in addition:

A domain name absolutely!

A statistical module or the right to use Google Analytics if you have a professional approach and need the commercial benefits of your site;

A designer if you want to have a professional result;

A professional for site creation if you do not want to spend several days of time;

A SEO professional if you want to have a site optimized for search engines.

The bill?

Domain name + design + ergonomics + Good editing software + internal referencing + coordination at all + hosting + Maintenance = …

… no answer!

The price will depend on the number of pages on your site to begin with. It will then have to look if you a designer job is needed or if your logo is enough.

For a small site (5 pages), if you have a logo and do not want any important graphic personalization, it is necessary to count at least $500 to put a website in place. Then add the subscription that includes access to the site management software, domain name and maintenance whose prices vary from $25/month to much more depending on the features offered.

In any case you will have to spend time writing content in order to present your messages, your offer and your business.

Less brief:

  A free site does not include a domain name

Free site offers do not include your domain name. They offer you sites on subdomains.

Your brand image will be associated with that of a free site provider. On your business card or your website, it's not professional.

But most importantly, all your work on the Internet is an investment associated with your domain name. If your domain name does not belong to you or you change provider, you lose all this work. Every time someone talks about your site on the Internet, it brings value to your domain name.

Creating a website with a domain name associated with your brand is a priority!

The first step for any company that wants to create a very small presence on the internet is to buy its domain name. A domain name costs about $10 a year. Free site offers often offer this service by making more money for other add-on services.

  A free site does not offer or very few statistics

Statistics are essential to measure the impact of your company's presence on the Internet.

Google Analytics, the reference tool for statistics, is free. However, most of the free site offers do not include it and offer their own statistical modules for an additional fee.

These modules are often of a much lower quality than Google Analytics. If you are relying on SEO or paying, using a Google tool will bring you a lot more interesting statistic.

 With a free site it is up to you to realize the ergonomics and the design

Free sites are sold as fully customizable. Some of the tools push this concept very far and offer you many possibilities to edit your site. You can make the design of your website and modify the structure without computer skills.

Yes but … structure and design are a profession and most of us have limited skills in this area. To get a pro result for your business you will have to involve a professional in your design and your structure.

 A free site it takes time

The more flexible a site Creation tool offers, the more time it will take to create a website.

It will take time to make your content. This is the most important and the work that you can only delegate to someone in your business.

It will take time to put your content online and specially make the layout of each of your pages by including the images.

It will take time to design your site, put the right colors in the right place and spread it on all your pages.

It will take time to learn how to use the software. You will do several page layout and design tests before you find the one that's right for you.

You can find an internet professional who will be able to create a professional website starting from $500 for a small website (5 pages) if you have a logo and it includes SEO (be careful to read your offers, many at this price do not include SEO).

 Search Engine Optimization of a free site is not done by itself

In free site offers, you will often see a line indicating “SEO included”. It doesn't mean much…

Some tools for the creation of a website are well developed. That is to say, they allow you to optimize your site.

Yes, but… Do you know how to optimize your site? You have to choose your keywords, then place them in the right place and optimize certain tags on pages and images.

Once again, you will need a specialist to do this work or to accompany you. Or you'll have to spend time training.

Companies that offer free site offers earn money by selling additional services. These important services for a company are subject to a fee.

Creating a professional website is much cheaper than it was 10 years ago, but you still have to plan a budget or a lot of time.

And don't forget, once the site is created, you'll have to spend time or money again to attract visitors and convert them into loyal customers. It is in this phase that the majority of your resources must be used because they are the ones that will bring you customers. The site is the right foundation on which this work will be done.

How much did your site cost you? Is it efficient, and the investment was worth it?