As the digital age progresses, having a website is no longer a luxury but a necessity for small businesses to succeed. According to a survey conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in 2020, only 42% of small businesses in the UK have a website. The same survey found that 25% of small businesses without a website had no plans to create one in the future. A separate survey by Lloyds Bank in 2019 found that 30% of small businesses in the UK did not have a website, with the most common reasons being the perceived cost and lack of time or resources.
However, the importance of having a website for small businesses in the UK cannot be overstated. According to a study by Google and the Boston Consulting Group, small businesses with a strong web presence grow four to eight times faster than those without one. In addition, a study by GoDaddy found that small businesses with a website are 68% more likely to have their revenue grow year on year compared to those without a website.
Fortunately, there are many tools available that allow small businesses to get a website for free or nearly free. Here are some of the best tools:
- Wix: Wix is a website builder that offers a free plan with basic features. With Wix, you can choose from hundreds of templates and customize your website using a drag-and-drop editor. Although the free plan comes with limited features, you can upgrade to a paid plan for additional features and functionality.
- WordPress: WordPress is a popular content management system that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. WordPress offers a free plan that allows you to create a basic website with a limited number of features. However, you will need to purchase a domain name and web hosting to get your website online.
- Weebly: Weebly is another website builder that offers a free plan with basic features. With Weebly, you can choose from over 50 templates and customize your website using a drag-and-drop editor. You can also upgrade to a paid plan for additional features and functionality.
- Google Sites: Google Sites is a free website builder that is part of Google Workspace. With Google Sites, you can create a simple website using templates and drag-and-drop tools. However, Google Sites has limited functionality compared to other website builders.
- Shopify: Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to create an online store. Shopify offers a free trial for 14 days, after which you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. With Shopify, you can choose from hundreds of templates and customize your online store using a drag-and-drop editor.
- Squarespace: Squarespace is a website builder that offers a free trial for 14 days. With Squarespace, you can choose from over 100 templates and customize your website using a drag-and-drop editor. After the free trial, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan to continue using Squarespace.
- Webnode: Webnode is a website builder that offers a free plan with basic features. With Webnode, you can choose from over 100 templates and customize your website using a drag-and-drop editor. You can also upgrade to a paid plan for additional features and functionality.
Getting a website for free or nearly free is possible with the help of these tools. However, it is important to note that the free plans come with limited features and functionality. To get the most out of your website, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan or purchase additional services such as a domain name and web hosting.
