When you begin managing a brand or business and feel that you “need” a website, it’s a good idea to first ask yourself: Why do I need to set up a website? At this point, you might also consider: ”How much does it cost to build a website?” “Is there a minimal-cost but viable option (a free website) I can use?”
Startups and personal brands alike need a website. The reasons you might feel the need to build a website typically include:
Brand Management and Marketing Objectives
- A Communication Channel: Another avenue to connect with and engage the market.
- Increased Brand Exposure: Enhances opportunities for brand visibility.
- Professional Brand Image: Elevates the professional image of your brand.
- Systematic Resource Presentation: Allows consumers to systematically learn about your brand’s resources.
- Building Trust: Helps establish consumer trust in your brand.
Long-term Sales Cost and Risk Considerations
- E-commerce Independence: Running your online store independently saves on fees from other sales platforms.
- Content Storage: Storing all your brand’s resources and content on your own website mitigates risks if other platforms suddenly cease operations.
- 24/7 Operation: Your website works for you even while you sleep.
However, when you think about it, in the early stages of your business, you might just need a single link where you can direct traffic from social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter, or LinkedIn to a new page that presents various brief pieces of information or additional links. If this is your basic need, you indeed have plenty of free resources to use.
Zero-Cost Solution for Small Businesses_1: Social Media + Multi-Link Tools (Micro-Sites)
:: Free Multi-Link Tools (Micro-Sites) ::
Multi-link platforms serve as simple and convenient portals that solve the problem of placing only one URL on social media platforms or fan pages. With free multi-link tools, even if users can only click on one link, they can see multiple links through that webpage. Moreover, multi-link platforms are like micro-sites where you can place more information and multiple links on a single page.
Different platforms offer their own paid plans, providing more customizable designs or helping you gain more traffic reach. You can choose a plan that fits your brand or project needs. If you’re unsure which platform to use, the simplest way is to sign up for a free account and try it out, as it’s actually very easy to operate!
Carrd
Portaly
Linktree
Taplink
Pros: Easy to use, easy to manage, free, consolidates all brand resource links on one page.
Cons: Can only display basic information and various links; more customization tools require payment.
Many brands, besides building their official websites and managing social media platforms, also typically create a free account on these platforms to host links and increase exposure.
Zero-Cost Solution for Small Businesses_2: Social Media + Free Website
If your needs go beyond simply providing multiple links and you wish to present more information and content, you can use the following free website setup platforms. Even if you don’t understand programming or design, you can use templates to complete a basic website.
For small businesses in their early stages, using social media platforms to accumulate traffic, combined with a free website to provide more information, can meet basic needs at zero cost.
:: Free Website Platforms ::
➠ For beginners or those who need to publish articles:
➠ For visual-centric users who require more attention to aesthetic details or want to publish portfolios:
➠ For advanced users who already have basic knowledge or experience in web design:
The free plans of these platforms usually come with the premise that your URL will include the platform’s address, meaning your traffic will accumulate on that platform, and to some extent, you’ll also be promoting them. However, if you don’t like having the platform’s address attached to your URL, you can purchase your own domain, but that requires paying platform fees.
Here is a comparison of the lowest price plans for custom URLs across platforms as of August 2024: (For the latest pricing information, please visit each platform’s official website.)
| Wix | WordPress.com | Framer | Portfoliobox | Webflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 USD/mon | 4 USD/mon | 5 USD/month | 3.9 USD/mon | 14 USD/mon |
Wix
WordPress.com
Framer
Portfoliobox
Webflow
:: Free Blog and Content Publishing Platform ::
If you just want to regularly publish creative articles or create a simple blog, many free platforms are available that require no worries about backend management or website security from hacker attacks.
➠ For content primarily in Chinese:
➠ For content primarily in English:
➠ Many companies also use Notion to publish official documents, such as recruitment files. If you need to regularly post a large volume of articles, Notion allows for a more systematic presentation.
Pros: Free, convenient for uploading new articles, easy backend management, simple operation, no need to worry about website maintenance, benefits from the platform’s SEO, and provides an additional traffic source.
Cons: Traffic is accumulated on the platform rather than on your own site; you must bear the risk of the platform suddenly shutting down (like what happened to Wretch).
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Then you might wonder: Why not just use free social media or website platforms instead of spending money on a professional website?
Actually, before deciding whether to invest in a website, you should first clarify your traffic sources and business model.
If your traffic primarily comes from social media pages or if you plan to invest heavily in new media and focus on its management, then an independent official website may not be as crucial for you because your battlefield is already clear, and your professional image will be solidified on social media or new media.
However, if you’re considering diverse channels in the future and the long-term management of your brand, a professional website is essential.
There are many free resources available online, but free always comes with a cost.
Some new brands might initially rely on social media, but as the business develops, the need for an independent website will become increasingly apparent. A website’s irreplaceable role in SEO optimization, traffic control, and data tracking is something that many social media platforms cannot offer. Moreover, if a social media platform’s algorithm changes, advertising costs increase, or features are reduced, it will directly impact your brand’s digital marketing effectiveness.
Using free website platforms is an option, but free plans often come with many limitations, which are often inadequate for sustained use. Some platform templates may be limited in design, lacking expandable features. And after choosing the lowest-price plan and paying the platform fees, when you start planning your website structure, you’ll find there are many details in website design that require attention. Sometimes, it’s even unclear if you’ve created a website that adds value to your brand or business.
Free or low-cost plans on website platforms often have restrictions on SEO, website speed, and security, which can seriously affect a website’s visibility and user experience. Most importantly, you don’t control your brand’s data, so you must consider whether you can effectively respond if data privacy issues arise.
You need a well-designed website that can deliver long-term, maximized benefits!
A good website will significantly enhance your brand, helping you establish the brand recognition you want in consumers’ minds, while also opening another communication channel in the digital world to reach more potential customers.
Most importantly, you’ll accumulate your own traffic, retain control over your audience data, and be able to systematically manage and utilize your brand’s content assets and data.
An independent website is crucial for brand building, SEO optimization, user trust, and data tracking. While free platforms may offer short-term cost advantages, they are weak compared to the long-term potential benefits of building your own website.
Whether you handle it all yourself or hire a professional web designer, you need comprehensive planning and strategy, which might involve business layout, market segmentation, and consumer research. More importantly, your website needs to offer a good user experience and meet your business needs. After the website is created, regular maintenance and updates are essential to maximize benefits for your brand.
In short, if you are serious about your business and genuinely want to build your brand, you’ll definitely need a professional to help design or manage your website. As an entrepreneur, you should focus your energy and time on business strategy and management rather than on executing these marketing details. Only then can you achieve the greatest operational efficiency!
➤ ➤ Read this article: How to Create a Successful Website? 10 Checkpoints for Website Design
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