MARKETING - 05.07.2011

Get online for free?

Do we really need a website?

Even though having a website isn’t yet a requisite for doing business, it certainly makes sense to have some kind of web presence. So to begin with a simple website or blog will do. Just something that allows your potential customers, business partners, investors and employees to find out more about you quickly and easily.

How much does it cost?

There are two separate cost elements involved in the creation of a website. The first is the registration of your domain name and what you pay the web hosting company. The second is what you pay someone to actually create the site for you. A website project’s cost can vary depending on its complexity and the level of interactivity required, but single page sites usually start from around £250 with shopping cart and e-commerce sites costing anything from £600 to £2,500 for something more elaborate. Additional costs, such as content management systems (around £200) and updates (minimum charge of around £25 a time) also need to be taken into account.

Free website

Getting British Business Online (http://www.gbbo.co.uk) is a campaign by Google, Enterprise UK, BT, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills and e-skills UK designed to help businesses take advantage of the opportunities that the Internet offers. This initiative allows businesses that sign up to be given a free website which will be registered in Google’s search engine, as well as a tool to help them create a basic website in around 20 minutes. The creation and hosting of your website will be free forever. However, your .co.uk web address is only free for two years. After that you’ll only have to pay a few pounds to renew your domain name for a further two years - you’re not tied in to a contract.

E-commerce. Paypal is also participating in the campaign, meaning that you can turn the free website into an e-commerce one.

What do you get?

Businesses are given a free .co.uk address; a free customisable website; free unlimited website updates; an easy to set up business e-mail; built-in online payments; a free self-help tool to attract new customers online; and a bespoke accredited training unit offered through training providers and colleges.

Once you’ve finished creating your site you can go back and change it as many times as you like - again for free. BT also offers free telephone support, but it is rather limited. Note. There are only a few pre-designed templates on offer, so you’re not going to end up with a unique, highly professional looking page layout.