Pros and Cons of starting a custom website for my Texas small business
As a Texas small business owner, should I start my own custom website? Today, I'm being bombarded with all kinds of information when it comes to selling my products and services online. I get offers from various companies but I also know there are cheaper and better options out there for me. Where should I begin? How do I know building a custom website for my business is the right direction for me?
Using a free website builder
Pros
Free is always best! But by using a free website builder, I'm aware that there are plenty of limitations against my business. I'm always tempted to accept free trials from many website companies online. I would be allowed to use a website builder service for a month, then I would get charged after that. The good thing about this, is that I can assess whether such a custom website builder will work for me or not. Of course, I can opt for the truly free website builders (I found Weebly and Wix.com very useful) but I have to use a subdomain. If I want to be taken seriously, however, I would have to upgrade to a real domain.
Cons
What I don't like about using free website builders is the fact that really, there's no such thing as a free meal. Every one of us should invest in a website that truly connects with our customers. If there are two things you have to pay for to be online, that's domain name and web hosting. Those things are never free -- especially if you own a business. That's why when using free sitebuilders, the best option is to get a domain name that reflects my company as well as a reliable web hosting that comes packed with features I could use.
Building my own website
Pros
Building my own website with sitebuilders that I pay for are obviously a better option than free sitebuilders. I would know for sure that there are no hidden charges or catch involved. The good thing is that building my own website with the help of website providers like Godaddy, Web.com, or Hostgator, I go through step-by-step process that is very easy to follow. It is very intuitive and it gives me freedom to experiment on how my website will look. Also, a lot of these paid custom website builders are equipped with search engine optimization add-ons that my Texas small business needs to enhance my visibility online.
Cons
Since I'm not a web designer myself, I may have doubts about my capability to design my own website. The main problem about building my own site is that unlike real web design professional, I may lack a few skills to fine-tune my site for my customers. Thankfully, I can use the Helpdesk or call customer support if I'm having problems with building my site.
Hiring a professional web designer
Pros
Hiring a professional web designer to help build my Texas small business website online means I have to put my trust in that firm or individual that will handle my site. If I make the right choices, then I know I will be able to sell my products and services online confidently. And since I'm not a web designer, I don't have to worry about layouts and content -- it will be provided for me. Also, since a web design professional is working for me, I expect quality output at a set amount of time.
Cons
Expenses are the main concern when hiring a professional website designer for my Texas small business. I have to use a cost calculator, make inquiries, and set a budget in order to get a good service from a web designer. I also need to know about maintenance of the site and of course, do background check on the individual or company. But if all goes well, investment on this option should be worth my dime.
