MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Just really need a yes or no...
My partner is setting herself up as a business, and running a couple of different services, so needs a couple of website.
She's used [url= http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/consumer-websites/multi.aspx?xnav=TsrItem&xnid=aLMWebsitesStringGifts+%26amp%3b+Fun&dng=Gifts+%26amp%3b+Fun ]Vistaprint[/url] to setup the first, as it's only info and contact details.
Now £3 a month isn't hitting the pocket hard, but can it easily be done cheaper with out much hassle? (moon on a stick?)
We don't have any web space to use, as BB is provided by her current work (don't mention I'm using it), and obviously neither of us a web designers, but I'm sure we could produce 'something' in front page if pushed... basically is it worth the hassle when the 'cost' is currently only £3
I'd use Wordpress, or even Posterous at a push.
Can do lots for little.
are you saying your too tight to spend a few hundred quid on a professional looking site?
If you need hosting or a competitive rate then I can supply both, or point you in the right direction if your not looking to spend much and just need advice.
al
[i]are you saying your too tight to spend a few hundred quid on a professional looking site?[/i]
No were saying she got a 'temporary' free site that look ace from vistaprint, for what sounds like a bargain @ £3 a month, is it though?
When web space is cheap(?) and you can get free tools to help you create nice looking sites, should we spend some time @ it?
Seriously, for a great many consumers, the website is the first point of contact with you. It's worth spending a few quid or time on making it look decent, having the domain name etc.
A dodgy business website is the equivalent of sending out your CV as a list of everything you've ever done, in size 10 Times Roman.
I'd say Brant with Shedfire & Ragley is a good example of how to do online marketing - there's a buzz around his products and an astonishing amount of customer generated content created at very little cost to him.
Obviously, how much of what he does can be applied to your business would depend on what you do - if you're offering B2B consultancy, you're not going to be able to get the same kind of customer created content as if you were selling consumer products / services.
£3 a month sounds cheap enough to me. Normally the free website hosts will have some catch - usually ads - which make your website look unprofessional.
£3 a month whilst you knock up something more appropriate yourself is pretty good if all you're after is a 'brochure' site. Does that include hosting?
show me the site and i'll give you some impartial advice if you like?
ygm Alexx, don't particularly want it ripped to piece by stw...
Woffle, all in...
Pay peanuts, get monkeys.
A lot depends on what she's using her website for - it sounds like it's just a small online brochure. I'd second Brant's recommendation of using Wordpress. The new version is pretty sophisticated and it's very easy to self-maintain.
I'd recommend Google apps for domains for email. Reliable email with IMAP which means you can keep your account syncronised (including sent items) across multiple machines, webmail and mobile. Shared/collaborative documents are also excellent.
Currently having ours done too. In an odd position where we don't need any more business but have had a number of people ask what our website it - a bit embarrassing when we don't have one!
So all the money is going into making it look good (think Howies style) with little needed for keyword stuff.
Should be ready in about a month and costing us about £3k.
Can I ask what you sell Mat?
with little needed for keyword stuff.
If it is built proper and you aren't actively trying to attract business through search engines it should rank well enough anyway (assuming you aren't in an ultra-competitive market and you have reasonable expectations).