Login / Register
The internet is the best channel to find and interact with customers today. That’s why many businesses are investing in their online presence. Recent statistics show that 71% of enterprises have a website, and developers worldwide build a new one every three seconds.
If your business doesn’t have a website, now is the right time to invest in one. It’ll help you effectively serve your customers’ needs and attract more potential clients.
However, this project can be costly if you don’t know the hacks around it. Here are some practical tips and tricks to cut expenses while building a professional website:
- Use a website builder
How you choose to build a website has a significant impact on your budget. The four main options you can select from include:
- A website builder
- Content management software (CMS), mainly WordPress
- A programming language, such as HTML and JavaScript
- Hiring the services of a professional website designer
If you employ them strategically, these four options will achieve desired results. But if the budget is your main concern, then a website builder is the best choice. It’s one of the most effective ways to save money. A website builder, which is a tool for creating websites without coding skills, offers pre-designed templates and a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to customize and add content to your site.
While hiring a professional may result in a more custom and unique design, it’s the costliest option. You could spend up to USD$10,000 on the services of an expert web designer.
On the other hand, a website builder may cost just USD$6 per month, and it comes with a range of optimized templates. Using WordPress may increase that monthly charge to around USD$50.
In addition to their cost-effectiveness and ease of use, website builders offer a variety of features and integrations. Many have SEO tools, e-commerce functionality, and integrations with popular services like Google Analytics and social media platforms. These features can help you increase your website’s visibility and reach a wider audience.
- Look for coupons and promo codes
Another money-saving trick when creating a website is to find relevant coupons and promo codes. Many hosting providers, website builders, and other website-related product dealers offer discounts occasionally.
But how can you enjoy these offers? You can start by doing a quick online search for web development products. It’ll help you find sites specializing in advertising coupons and promo codes related to various cyber tools.
Often, companies will send out exclusive discounts to their subscribers, which can be a great way to save money. So, the best way to take advantage of these deals is to sign up for your favorite brand’s email newsletters.
Once you’ve found a coupon or promo code that you want to use, make sure to go over the terms and conditions. Some coupons may only be valid for a limited time or designed only for new customers. Others are suitable for specific products or services, so ensure your voucher is relevant to what you’re buying.
When using the coupon, simply enter the code at checkout. The discount should be applied to your total, reducing the amount you have to pay. Double-check the final price to see if the deal was successful before completing your purchase.
- Use free or low-cost stock photos
Professional photography is expensive. Plus, downloading some stock photos without paying for them can put you in legal trouble.
Fortunately, many websites offer free or low-cost stock photos. Most of them are high-quality and will still enhance your site’s graphics. But it’s still important to read the usage rights before using any of them just to be on the safer side.
- Use a budget-friendly hosting provider
Web hosting services can be pretty costly, depending on your chosen provider. The good thing is there are many options to choose from in the market; you just need to know what to consider.
The first factor to remember is your business needs, including storage space, bandwidth, and uptime. You can find your ideal provider by consulting your friends or searching the web and social media.
Once you have a list of providers that fit your needs, research each candidate for a cost-effective one. Consider competitive pricing and value for the services you want.
Remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best, as it may come with limitations or poor service quality. It could be expensive in the long term.
You can also opt for a shared hosting plan. It’s always cheaper than dedicated hosting plans, as the cost is shared among several clients. However, it has limitations in terms of storage and bandwidth. Hence, it’s ideal for small websites or those just starting.
- Use cost-effective marketing strategies
Of course, digital marketing is among the most critical aspects of website creation. You need to advertise your brand and site to a potential audience to increase its online visibility. It can be expensive, especially for start-ups.
Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs until your business starts raking in profits. First, you can leverage the power of social media. Actively interact with your prospects on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or other relevant platforms. Post regular updates and links to your site on your business’s social media accounts.
Alternatively, you can hire influencers. But find those willing to work within your budget to avoid unnecessary financial issues. Their job will be to push relevant hashtags and convince their followers to visit your website.
Conclusion
Creating a website is excellent for any brand in today’s business environment. It builds your business presence but can also be expensive if you’re not careful.
You may want to try a few budget-friendly tactics to offset related expenses. Start by using a website builder instead of hiring a professional website developer. Cost-effective stock photos, marketing strategies, and hosting providers may be ideal as well.
But coupons and promo codes are the best way to cut costs. Find websites that specialize in posting available offers or subscribe to your favorite brands’ newsletters.