When you start thinking about creating a website, one of the first questions that come to mind is: Can I do it for free? The short answer is yes, but the long answer is a bit more complicated. While some platforms offer free website-building tools, there are often hidden costs or limitations that come with these options. In this blog post, we’ll break down the realities of free website creation, its benefits, and some of the challenges you may encounter.
Several platforms, such as WordPress, Wix, and Weebly, offer free plans to get you started. Here are some of the advantages of using these services:
• No upfront cost: You can sign up and begin building your website without paying anything.
• Easy-to-use templates: Many free platforms offer drag-and-drop functionality, making it simple to build a basic website without needing coding knowledge.
• Good for testing: If you’re just getting started, a free website is a great way to test your ideas without committing to a financial investment.
Despite these benefits, creating a website for free has its limitations:
• Limited functionality: Most free plans come with restrictions on customisation, storage, and advanced features such as e-commerce, which can hinder your site’s growth.
• Advertisements: Many free platforms place ads on your site, which you have no control over. This can create a less professional experience for your visitors.
• Domain limitations: Free websites often include the platform’s branding in your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.wordpress.com), which may not look professional.
• SEO limitations: Free websites might not provide the same level of SEO support as paid options, limiting your visibility on search engines when trying to engage with customers. If your competitors are using robust website builders or using a web design company, they are likely going to steal customers from your business.
• Time-consuming: Building a professional-looking website with free tools can take much longer than expected. Limited templates and customisation options may cause delays, potentially taking months to create a website that matches your vision. This delay could affect your ability to publish your site in a timely manner, ultimately costing you more in lost opportunities & revenue.
While free options might seem attractive, there’s a lot of value in investing in a paid website, especially if you’re serious about growing your business or brand. Here’s why paying for a website can be more beneficial:
• Custom domain and branding: A paid plan allows you to have a custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com), which looks much more professional.
• No ads: You get a clean, ad-free experience for your visitors.
• Advanced features and plugins: Whether it’s SEO tools for optimising you in search results, security features, or e-commerce capabilities, paid plans offer far more flexibility and functionality.
• Faster development time: With a professional web design service, you can avoid the long wait times that often come with building a free website. A paid service ensures that your site is designed efficiently and launched on time, allowing you to get online and start attracting customers faster.
At Divergent Network, we understand that creating a professional, fully functional website is a major investment for any business. That’s why we offer a fully customised and responsive website that includes up to 7 pages and necessary plugins for £0 deposit and a monthly fee of only £149. Unlike free platforms, our service provides:
• Custom designs tailored to your business to help scale your brand & continually get you customers.
• Responsive layouts that work perfectly on all devices of all sizes and shapes.
• SEO optimisation to help your business rank higher on search engines for faster growth.
• Ongoing support to ensure your website runs smoothly.
By partnering with Divergent Network, you can avoid the common pitfalls of free website builders, such as limited customisation and lengthy delays. We provide a professional, fast, and efficient service that helps your business get online quickly, making it easier for you to focus on what matters most—growing your business. Whether you’re based in the UK or anywhere in Europe & America, Divergent Network is here to help you achieve your online goals.
