Six Reasons Why A "Free" Website Isn't Really Free
If you do a Google search on "free website" you'll get plenty of search results. You've probably even seen TV ads from companies offering you a stunning, professional website at no charge. These companies assure you there's no catch—it really is free. And it is—if you want to spend considerable time and effort building a website few users will ever discover or visit.
Here's the big question: How do these companies stay in business giving away free websites? The answer is, they generate revenue from (a). the advertisements they put up on your free website, (b). upgrading you to a paid premium plan after you discover the limitations of your free site, and (c). selling your information to other companies on the Big Data market (which they do whether you keep the free plan or upgrade to the paid premium plan).
Here are six reasons why that free website is essentially useless:
1. You can't use your own domain
Your domain name is a crucial part of your website for both branding and SEO purposes. Free website companies require you to use their domain name or pay for a premium plan that allows you to use your own.
2. Ads on your website
Chances are you wouldn't expect to see Ford advertisements on Chevrolet's website. Free site builders place ads on your web pages, potentially from your competitors, that entice visitors to click away from your site. Unless you're willing to pay to have them removed, you now have a website that looks like a Nascar race car.
3. Limited pages
A professional website needs a healthy number of content-rich pages to attract visitors, but free site builders allow you a limited number of free pages. They charge a monthly fee to increase that limit.
The freemium business model offers you a limited, essentially useless website that you can upgrade—for a price. At the end of the day you'll find the best decision is to invest in a professionally designed website that will be integral to serving and growing your business.
4. Limited storage
Images, video, and rich content are essential to modern web design but they require storage space. Free website builders will charge once you exceed your limited allotment of free storage.
5. Limited bandwidth
If you plan on using your website to grow your business you'll need traffic, which requires ample bandwidth. Free website builders will increase your bandwidth, but there's a charge for that.
6. You're under their logo
A favicon is the icon that appears at the top of your browser when you visit a branded website. With free site builders you're stuck with their logo as your favicon when users visit your website—you can use your own branding only under their paid premium plans.
The catch is you get what you pay for.
The freemium business model offers you a limited, essentially useless website that you can upgrade—for a price. At the end of the day you'll find the best decision is to invest in a professionally designed website that will be integral to serving and growing your business.
Lost Highway Media can help lift your brand out of the white noise and into the vista.