Having aÌýwebsite ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýyour small business isÌýaÌýgreat step towards generating andÌýkeeping upÌýaÌýloyal clientele. Getting started may seem overwhelming, but with theÌýright website design andÌýaÌýthorough knowledge ofÌýtheÌýcosts, you’re just aÌýfew clicks away from aÌýsuccessful online store.
The cost ofÌýaÌýbusiness website can vary according toÌýaÌýbunch ofÌýfactors, including professional website designers, web hosting companies, custom domains, andÌýwebsite maintenance. However, theÌý
What Are Some ofÌýtheÌýCosts ofÌýWebsites ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýSmall Businesses?
IfÌýyou are looking toÌýstart aÌýsmall business website, you will want toÌýlook atÌýtheÌýinitial costs ofÌýwebsite development. This can beÌýbroken down into aÌýfew simple factors, including:
- Development
- Domain name
- Website design
- SSL certification
- CMS (or Content Management System)
These essential services will assist inÌýtheÌýinitial process ofÌýwebsite development andÌýallow ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýcontinued maintenance ofÌýyour small business’ website. Each ofÌýthese factors has aÌývarying cost depending onÌýhow you want your own website toÌýfunction.
Building aÌýWebsite
First, you might consider researching your competitor’s websites toÌýformulate aÌýplan ofÌýaction better. This will give you aÌýgood idea ofÌýwhat features will work best ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýyour specific small business.
The cost ofÌýbuilding your own website will vary byÌýwhich features work best ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýyour business’s intended purpose. For instance, ifÌýyou are looking ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýaÌýwebsite that deals mainly with blog articles andÌýgenerating word ofÌýmouth, you will need anÌýadvanced WordPress.
IfÌýyou are going toÌýsell products orÌýservices online, you might need something like ºÚÁÏÃÅ. ºÚÁÏÃÅ provides aÌýsustainable online shop platform ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýsmall businesses, andÌýour website builder can easily help you navigate this process. Moreover, even ifÌýyou decide toÌýbuild aÌýwebsite from theÌýground up, there isÌýnever aÌýfee toÌýbuild your own website with ºÚÁÏÃÅ. This means that starting upÌýhere isÌý
Best website builders
Many ofÌýtheÌýbest website builders will come with regular fees ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýkeeping your website active. There are many options toÌýchoose from like Squarespace, orÌýWix that are great ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýbuilding your first small business store andÌýwebsite. However, each ofÌýthese comes with subscription costs right from theÌýstart.
When looking ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýtheÌýbest website builder, you must factor inÌýwhat itÌýhas toÌýoffer. You will want toÌýfind aÌýbuilder that helps you:
- find aÌýdomain name that fits your online store
- connect toÌýessential software (like email marketing tools)
- generate traffic onÌýyour website
- remain engaged with ecommerce trends
- connect with multiple social media platforms
Typically, ifÌýyou choose aÌý
Professional web designer
IfÌýyou have theÌýfunds ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýaÌýmore substantial initial
This isÌýaÌýgreat option ifÌýyou need aÌýflashy website with
Finding aÌýDomain
Most often, aÌýwebsite domain isÌýincluded inÌýtheÌý
IfÌýyou plan toÌýuse aÌýtraditional domain (.com, .net, .edu, etc.), theÌýstarting cost should beÌýanywhere between $10ÌýandÌý$20. However, creating aÌýcustom domain ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýyour business (.business, .shop, etc.) can cost anywhere between $200ÌýandÌý$300Ìýannually. Most domains are essentially rented, meaning you will typically pay anyÌýassociated fees yearly inÌýone lump sum.
Free domains
ºÚÁÏÃÅ domains are automatically included with your free website, soÌýyou doÌýnot have toÌýpay theÌýannual fees usually associated with owning aÌýURL. There are many other options toÌýchoose from when finding aÌýdomain. Depending onÌýyour needs, you may even find some asÌýlow asÌý$1.
However, consider what platform you are using when choosing aÌýdomain. For instance, Shopify allows aÌýfree trial ofÌýkeeping your domain active ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýshoppers toÌýtraffic. However, you have toÌýpay aÌýmonthly fee inÌýorder toÌýkeep that domain accessible.
IfÌýyou are unsure ofÌýyour platform’s policy onÌýdomain ownership, beÌýprepared toÌýpay upÌýtoÌý$20Ìý´Ú´Ç°ùÌýaÌýstandard WordPress Site orÌýeasily accessible website builder.
SSL
You will need anÌýSSL certification andÌýlicense toÌýkeep customer information safe andÌýsecure onÌýyour domain. This certification isÌýfree with your ºÚÁÏÃÅ website, soÌýit’s one less thing you need toÌýworry about. Otherwise, you may have toÌýpurchase your SSL certification through services partnered with your website builder.
SSL Certificates can beÌývery cheap. Pick theÌýone that fits your business needs. .
Some builders, like WordPress, include theÌýprice ofÌýanÌýSSL certification inÌýtheÌýmonthly fee. However, many certification sites charge between $70ÌýandÌý$300Ìýper year. AnÌýexpensive SSL certification can help attract more clientele. However, this may not beÌýsomething needed inÌýtheÌýbeginning stages ofÌýyour small business.
Website Design
Themes andÌýdesign are aÌýbig part ofÌýtheÌý
Designing your business website will also include graphic design elements andÌýadded pages. These added pages could beÌýproduct listings, customer support, blog posts, etc., andÌýeach page will add extra fees when going through professional website builders.
ºÚÁÏÃÅ ecommerce websites come with free designs. Check them out!
Overall, you can expect toÌýpay between $1,100ÌýandÌý$3,800Ìý´Ú´Ç°ùÌýaÌýweb designer’s initial fee, plus around $600ÌýtoÌý$2800Ìýper year inÌýmaintenance costs. The best way toÌýnegate these costs isÌýtoÌýfind aÌýfree website builder that allows you toÌýchoose your small business website details with noÌýhidden fees.
Content Management System
While weÌýhave listed above theÌýessential basics ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýanyÌýwebsite, theÌýmost important element ofÌýyour site will beÌýyour Content Management System. With aÌýCMS program you can add content toÌýyour website such asÌýblog posts, landing pages, etc.
Nearly every CMS isÌýcomprised ofÌýaÌýfront end andÌýtheÌýback end. The front end isÌýtheÌýpart that your visitors interact with. InÌýother words, it’s what you see onÌýtheÌýcomputer when people view your website andÌýisÌýstyled toÌýmatch your company’s branding.
The back end ofÌýaÌýCMS isÌýtheÌýpart that you use toÌýpost new content toÌýaÌýwebsite. The process begins byÌýaccessing aÌýweb interface toÌýeasily add, create, andÌýpublish content toÌýyour CMS’s front end. Rather than knowing code, you use aÌýsimple editing interface, much like Microsoft Word which isÌýthen stored inÌýtheÌýdatabase andÌýpublished toÌýtheÌýfront end ofÌýtheÌýwebsite.
WordPress andÌýJoomla are popular content management systems that are also completely free.
Most small business websites will need anÌýonline word processing system like WordPress inÌýorder toÌýdirectly edit thei content without aÌýthorough understanding ofÌýwriting code. The cost ofÌýaÌýWordPress site can vary byÌýweb hosting companies. However, ifÌýyou plan toÌýbuild your site from theÌýground up, you can expect toÌýpay around inÌýone flat fee orÌý$33Ìýper month.
Digital Assets
Digital assets are things that are electronically stored inÌýyour website, such asÌýdocuments, photos, videos, audio, products andÌýgoodsÌý— inÌýshort, anything that has value andÌýcan beÌýbought, sold, transferred orÌýtraded.
Typically, Content Management systems offer powerful capabilities toÌýmanage all your digital assets ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýuse inÌýdifferent marketing channels, including websites, marketing materials, email campaigns, online stores, paid search, andÌýblogs. For example, ifÌýyou want anÌýonline store, your assets would consist ofÌýtheÌýproducts that you sell online.
Content Management ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýdigital assets provides aÌýcentralized hub ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýall your assets, where you can organize them into categories andÌýcollections andÌýcreate rules andÌýworkflow toÌýdefine how theÌýcontent can beÌýused andÌýwhere.
Website Maintenance
OfÌýall theÌýthings discussed soÌýfar, website maintenance isÌýprobably theÌýmost important aspect ofÌýhaving aÌýwebsite andÌýaÌýcurrent online presence. Often overlooked, lack ofÌýregular maintenance can cost you ranking, visitors, conversions andÌýsales. Just imagine, every minute your site would beÌýdown due toÌýnoÌýorÌýlow maintenance, isÌýaÌýminute ofÌýlost income.
Maintenance ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýwebsites isÌýtheÌýprocess ofÌýkeeping aÌýwebsite
After you launch your site, it’s important toÌýregularly perform web maintenance toÌýprevent anyÌýtechnical issues, improve user experience, andÌýensure your site continues toÌýrank high inÌýsearch engine results.
Website maintenance isÌýprimarily aÌýtechnical process ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýwhich knowledge ofÌýtheÌýdifferent software functions isÌýessential soÌýits cost heavily depends onÌýtheÌýwebsite size andÌýcomplexity andÌýcan goÌýasÌýhigh asÌýhundreds ofÌýthousand dollars.
Security updates
Keeping theÌýsecurity ofÌýyour website updated isÌýessential toÌýaddress anyÌývulnerabilities that may exist orÌýmay occur later. These updates keep your site safe from hackers andÌýare toÌýbeÌýdone frequently toÌýstay ahead ofÌýanyÌýattempts toÌýhack your site.
Plugin andÌýtheme updates
Themes are theÌýplatform ofÌýyour site andÌýdetermine theÌýlook andÌýfeel ofÌýyour content. Plugins are small utilities that extend theÌýfunctionality ofÌýyour website. Both need toÌýbeÌýregularly updated toÌýensure compatibility with theÌýlatest web browsers andÌýsecurity patches.
Content updates
Keeping content current andÌýupdated isÌýimportant inÌýterms ofÌýSEO andÌýranking. Search engines like updated andÌýinformative content. This includes adding new blog posts, updating your product catalogue, andÌýkeeping your prices andÌýdescriptions upÌýtoÌýdate. Nothing isÌýworse than showing outdated content asÌýthis will turn potential customers. InÌýthis case, more content isÌýbetter!
Backup andÌýrecovery
Backups are important inÌýcase some sort ofÌýserver crash orÌýother calamity damages your site orÌýeven destroys it. Backups ofÌýyour site typically remain available with your hosting provider andÌýcan beÌý
InÌýmost cases you can even download aÌýbackup ofÌýyour site andÌýkeep itÌýsafe onÌýyour own computer. Recent backups will also ifÌýit’s ever hacked orÌýcorrupted.
Performance monitoring andÌýoptimization
Monitoring your website’s performance isÌýanother key aspect ofÌýsite maintenance. ItÌýwill help you detect potential problems soÌýthese can beÌýremedied toÌýkeep your site running smoothly. This includes optimizing your site’s performance inÌýterms ofÌýspeed andÌýresponsiveness. ItÌýentails theÌýtasks ofÌýimproving web page loading times, optimizing image sizes, andÌýminifying code.
User management
Specifically ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýonline stores orÌýmembership stores, user andÌýcustomer accounts form theÌýbackbone ofÌýyour site administration. These need toÌýbeÌýmaintained, updated andÌýasÌýneeded, deleted. This includes resetting passwords andÌýmanaging permissions, cleaning out theÌýusers’ list andÌýremoving bots andÌýspam accounts.
Accessibility management
Your website’s accessibility isÌýimportant soÌýthat everyone can use your site. This includes people with disabilities, people using mobile devices, andÌýpeople with slow internet connections. Updating andÌýmaintaining these accessibility options are essential.
Uptime monitoring
Your website needs toÌýbeÌýavailable 100% ofÌýtheÌýtime when people try toÌýaccess it. Monitoring will keep theÌýsite available atÌýall times.
SEO monitoring
Monitoring your website’s SEO isÌýimportant toÌýkeep itÌývisible inÌýsearch engines. This includes tracking your site’s ranking, backlinks, andÌýwebsite traffic. SEO monitoring helps toÌýtimely isolate potential problems andÌýtake theÌýnecessary steps toÌýfix them. ItÌýwill also show how successful your website is, andÌýhow toÌýeven make itÌýmore successful.
ºÚÁÏÃÅ Helps You Save Money onÌýBuilding andÌýMaintaining Your Website
ºÚÁÏÃÅ offers aÌýfree starting option, allowing you toÌýcreate aÌýbasic website capable ofÌýhandling unlimited traffic andÌýaccepting payments through PayPal.
Transitioning from aÌýfree toÌýaÌýpaid plan only enhances your savings. ºÚÁÏÃÅ isÌýdesigned toÌýsave you both time andÌýmoney byÌýproviding opportunities without theÌýadded responsibilities.
Here are some tasks that ºÚÁÏÃÅ manages ´Ú´Ç°ùÌýyou:
- Security maintenance andÌýupdates (even payments)
- Backups
- Uptime andÌýaccessibility
- Assets storage
- Design
- SEO
- Taxes
- Free company.site domain
SoÌýit’s definitely worth giving aÌýtry! NoÌýcredit card required toÌýsign up.
Get Started Today!
Starting your own small business website can beÌýanÌýexpensive process. However, there are certain steps you can take inÌýorder toÌýensure you are getting theÌýbest value.
After assessing theÌýneeds ofÌýyour online store, try ºÚÁÏÃÅ toÌýsee how easy itÌýisÌýtoÌýget started andÌýhow well they meet your needs. With ºÚÁÏÃÅ, your brand new free website orÌýonline shop isÌýjust aÌýfew clicks away.
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