Creating a website may seem like a difficult, money-draining job, but the truth is, you don’t have to be the next Mark Zuckerberg to get a website up and running. Not to mention, without breaking the bank. The most basic rule of business is that lower expenses mean higher profits. Of course, your website doesn’t have to be an entrepreneurial endeavor which is why in this quick read; we’ll show you how to build a website on a tight budget.
Budget Planning
First of all, we need to stress the importance of pre-planning. Before you head out and try to purchase a web host or a domain name or even content management software, you need to do something – grab a piece of paper and jot down everything you’ll need to purchase and the budget you have.
Then, determine which of the items you need is so critical for the success of your website that you’re willing to spend more on. This will help you stay more organized and focused during your research.
Find a Web Host
There are many hosting services out there, but the key is to find one that provides good service rather than a mediocre host that may cause your website to crash every couple of hours. For those who don’t know, a web hosting company is one that provides an online server for you to upload your data and a way for your visitors to access it.
Out of the many types of web hosting, if you’re aiming for a small website; with not much data load and a moderate amount of web traffic, it is better to go with shared hosting packages. This type of hosting is highly recommended by bloggers because it is inexpensive. You may also consider expert companies; like Bluehost and HostGator, since they often provide long-term deals. Before you go on to the next point, keep in mind that finding a web host can make or break your website. So, when coming up with a spending plan, make sure you allocate enough funds for a good web hosting package.
Don’t Forget About Copyrights
Using external sources and building upon other people’s work and data can be a quick and easy way for you to generate content. Not to mention, using trusted sources can give more credibility to your website. However, it is essential that you keep in mind one critically important point; copyright laws.
Most people – especially those new to the world of content creating – overlook this concept when creating or researching content for their websites. According to louder.online’s article on how to cite a website, stealing content is, in fact, a legal offense that can cost you up to $50,000 in punishment fees. Which is why it is essential that you properly credit your sources if you use any material that isn’t fully yours.
After all, paying a huge amount of money in legal fees isn’t what anyone would call, “on a budget.” Plagiarism issues can also be harmful in other ways. If readers discover that your content is plagiarized, you’ll lose their trust, and eventually, them. Plus, stealing content is not an ethical thing to do.
Find an Inexpensive Domain Name
So, now that you have your content and your hosting service all ready to go, it is time to choose an available domain name. This will be how people remember you, and one of the main factors that determine your website’s placement on search result lists. With that in mind, make sure you visit a couple of domain purchasing services and browse through the extensions before you make a decision. Different services offer different features, packages, and price ratings. Not to mention, different extensions can cause a massive price difference; from the $12 yearly cost of the ‘.com’ to the $120 cost of purchasing an extension like, ‘.accountants’.
What’s the Secret?
To create a website without spending a fortune means that you need to benefit from the deals, the packages, and the perks. Yet, the main aspect you need to set your eyes on is quality VS price. It can be tempting to get a dirt cheap hosting service, but will your website crash all the time? Are you going to end up paying for the cheap service and the new service that you switch to? The answer is, most definitely, yes.
So, if there is a piece of final advice we would like to send you off with, it’s don’t sacrifice decent quality for the price; it’ll backfire. If you’re afraid of spending too much money and going over-budget, just do your research and do your best to get a general idea of how much you will be spending.