The Hidden Costs of 'Free' Websites: Why Professional Support Pays Off
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Nothing in life is free.” Well, in the world of websites, this is spot on! Sure, that “free” website offer might look tempting - shiny and promising with no upfront cost. However, they don’t tell you that “free” usually comes with hefty headaches, limitations and eventually, surprise bills.
Let’s take a look at the hidden costs of free websites and explain why a small upfront investment in professional support (yes, like us!) can save you time, stress and money in the long run.
Hosting Fees
The Party That Wasn’t Free After All
While many free website builders lure you in with a "no-cost" approach, they often fail to mention the add-ons. Hosting, SSL certificates, and domain registration, which are crucial to running a professional website, are not always included for free.
Suddenly, what seemed like a budget-friendly option starts adding up quickly as you find yourself paying for basic features just to keep your site running.
IT'SEEZE TIP
We provide free hosting, SSL certificates and domain management because why make life more complicated than it already is?
Design and Functionality
Wait, You Wanted More Than 3 Pages?
Free website platforms typically come with significant restrictions on design and functionality. At first, you might think the free version covers all your needs, but you’ll quickly hit a wall when you try to add a fourth page, customise your shop, or even integrate basic features like contact forms.
Suddenly, you’re paying extra for each additional feature, and your “free” website starts looking more like an "all-you-can-eat buffet" where even the plates and cutlery come at an extra charge.
Website Support
The Void Where Help Should Be
One of the biggest hidden costs of free website builders is the lack of real support. When something goes wrong (and it will), you’ll be left scouring forums, watching endless YouTube tutorials and trying to make sense of tech jargon like you’re deciphering ancient hieroglyphs. Worse still, you could end up stuck in a never-ending call centre queue, where actual help feels like a distant dream.
When choosing a website provider, make sure to ask about support. Real, human support - not just call centres, which can save you hours of frustration when things inevitably go wrong.
IT'SEEZE TIP
Kat and her team provide direct, responsive support and are proud of it. You won’t be stuck yelling at a chatbot. Just pick up the phone, send a WhatsApp or email us and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
SEO and Speed
Google Doesn’t Like Slow, Generic Websites
Most free website builders won’t mention that their sites are often slow and not optimised for search engines (SEO). Google dislikes slow websites and so do your potential customers. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, you’ll lose visitors faster than you can say "free website."
In addition, many of these platforms don’t give you full control over SEO, meaning you’ll be stuck on page 15 of Google while your competitors are getting all the traffic.
IT'SEEZE TIP
We not only help optimise your site for speed and SEO but also ensure that it is set up for success from day one!
The Cost of Fixing It Later
The Real Price of "Free"
Many people who start with free websites come to us later, frustrated by the limitations, the extra charges and the lack of support. They end up paying to fix a problem that could have been avoided in the first place.
And here’s the truth - the cost of fixing or rebuilding a poorly functioning “free” site is often higher than the cost of doing it right from the start.
IT'SEEZE TIP
Skip the frustration and let us get it right for you from day one. You’ll thank yourself later when you realise you’re not losing sleep over why your website isn't performing.
In Conclusion
Free Isn't Really Free
The moral of the story? Free websites are rarely free when you factor in hosting, functionality limitations, lack of support and the cost of fixing the inevitable issues. Investing in a professionally built website service will save you money, stress and a few grey hairs!
Let's chat if you’re ready to skip the hidden costs and start with a site that works for you. I promise there will be no hidden fees, no jargon, just straightforward service that works.
This article was written by Kat James, a website consultant and content creator for businesses in Kent.
If you're looking for a modern, effective, and professionally designed business website that can work wonders for your online presence, don't hesitate to contact Kat at it'seeze Gravesend. Our affordable web design services are tailored to help businesses like yours grow online.
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