Creating a website for your business for free can be done using website builders that offer free plans. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a website for your business without any cost:
Step 1: Choose a website builder
1. Research and compare different website builders that offer free plans. Some popular options include Weebly, WordPress.com, Wix and Google Sites.
2. Consider factors such as ease of use, available templates, customisation options, and additional features to determine which website builder best suits your needs.
3. Most of these free website builders are very limited in what they offer for free. It is worth ensuring that the features that you will require are both possible and available for free. In many cases what you thought would be free actually ends up costing you money and you may prefer paying a web designer in the first place.
Step 2: Sign up and create an account
1. Visit the website builder’s official website and sign up for a free account. This usually requires providing your email address and creating a password.
2. Some website builders may ask for additional information, such as your business name, industry, or website category.
Step 3: Choose a template
1. Browse through the available free templates provided by the website builder.
2. Select a template that aligns with your business type and aesthetic preferences. Templates often come pre-designed with layouts and styles that you can customise later.
Step 4: Customise your website
1. Once you’ve selected a template, you can start customising your website.
2. Use the website builder’s intuitive interface to edit text, add images, and modify the layout.
3. Customise colors, fonts, and other design elements to reflect your brand identity.
Step 5: Add pages and content
1. Create pages that are essential for your business, such as Home, About Us, Products/Services, Contact, and any additional pages you require.
2. Fill each page with relevant content, ensuring it is informative, engaging, and easy to read.
3. Incorporate images, videos, and other media elements to enhance your website’s visual appeal.
Step 6: Optimise your website
1. Pay attention to search engine optimisation (SEO) to improve your website’s visibility on search engine results.
2. Add relevant keywords to page titles, headings, and content.
3. Write unique meta descriptions for each page.
4. Ensure your website has a clear navigation structure and is easy to navigate for visitors.
Step 7: Preview and test your website
1. Before publishing your website, preview it to ensure everything appears as intended.
2. Test the website’s functionality, such as links, forms, and interactive elements, to ensure they work properly.
3. Look up your competitors websites and compare them with your own. Ask yourself honestly if your website looks as professional as your competitors websites, and if in fact it looks better than theirs? Remember you want your customers to choose your website over your competitors.
Step 8: Publish your website
1. Once you’re satisfied with your website, it’s time to make it live.
2. Follow the website builder’s instructions to publish your website. This usually involves selecting a domain name (e.g., yourbusinessname.websitebuilder.com) or using a subdomain provided by the website builder.
3. If you already have a custom domain name, you may be able to connect it to your free website builder account, depending on the platform.
Remember that free plans offered by website builders usually have limitations, such as displaying ads, limited storage space, or restricted access to advanced features. If you eventually want to unlock more features or use a custom domain, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
In reality websites that have been built by yourself for free often look cheap and unprofessional. It can be fun to have a go, but in the end if your website needs to look professional it may be better to pay a professional website designer rather than risk making your business look unprofessional to your customers.