Tip: As you create your website, make sure to include the name of your business, its location, and what it is you do. This step will help your website appear in search results. However, it can take a few months for your business to appear on the first page of search results, so patience is vital.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is most well-known for its domain registrar services, but they also offer web hosting services (i.e., website creation) that are easy to use and relatively affordable. GoDaddy offers numerous templates for a quick and easy website setup, while they offer personalization tools like one-click app installation, such as linking your WordPress to your website. However, beyond those features, there is little room for individualized design. That said, their interface is easy to use and accessible to those who have not created a website before.
While there are limitations to the features that GoDaddy provides, they are one of the oldest and most well-known domain registrars. Their website hosting services are a newer feature to their company but have had great reviews because they offer pricing based on the domain you are looking for. For instance, domain extensions like ".com" can be priced as low as $2.99 but require a 1-year commitment. After the first year, the cost is $19.99 for the second year. There are a variety of domain extensions you can purchase, such as ".org," ".net," ".shop," etc., but the cost will vary. With some domains being more expensive than other hosting services, GoDaddy allows you to choose servers in the United States, Europe, and Asia so your business can gain brand recognition worldwide.
GoDaddy allows you to own your domain name, but you must read the fine print under "Terms of Service" because clauses can hinder you from transferring your domain to another hosting service, such as Wix. If you wish to change your hosting service, you will need to contact GoDaddy's customer service team.
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Wix
Wix is one of the top website creation services because it allows much more flexibility in designing your website how you want it to look. The cost of creating your website starts at $16 a month for a personal account; the prices begin to rise if you choose to go with a more advanced plan, such as the Pro plan, which gives you more storage for your content and videos that you may want to be displayed on your site. Wix also offers features through their app store, allowing customers to purchase additional items to add to your site to help with its functionality, like widgets. It also utilizes apps like Instagram to sell your products or services and gain greater brand exposure. Overall, Wix is an excellent option for an eCommerce business because of its ability to expand your reach to different markets. It can also create multiple websites in other languages, making them accessible globally.
Wix may be for you if you want something easy to use and customize while reaching a larger audience. Like other sites, it is essential that you read the Terms and Conditions before purchasing a domain because you want to be sure that you own the domain and can easily switch hosting services if needed.
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Weebly
Weebly is a popular website hosting service, primarily due to its accessibility for new customers and low prices. They offer a free plan which allows you to create your website for free but with limited features. However, if you choose to purchase a plan, the personal plan costs around $6 a month, professional plans are about $12 a month, and performance plans are $26 a month. The personal plan is the most basic and offers little room for personalization but comes equipped with security and the ability to embed 3rd party codes (i.e., adding widgets that can connect customers to customer services or a chat function). However, customers have complained about outdated templates and limited performance growth.
With all this being said, it is a good option for businesses that want to remain small and focus less on expanding their business nationally or globally. Yet customers and review websites have noted that there are better options for beginners even though Weebly is easy to use and offers a free plan. Read your account's Terms and Conditions to ensure you can retain your domain if you switch hosting services.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a recognizable hosting site because of its advanced features, like easily integrating blogs, email campaigns, and customizable designs. Reviewers have found it relatively easy to use (though more straightforward than hosting sites like Weebly) and offer an app to edit and customize. The pricing plans are like those of other sites, with the 1st year being free and advanced plans ranging between $20 to $50, depending on your chosen plan. The Personal Plan, which is the most basic, begins at $16 a month, while the Business Plan (which offers much more features such as shopping carts, widgets for social media, and much more) is $23 a month. However, there are more advanced plans, such as the Basic Online Store, starting at $27 a month, allowing you to sell online without transaction fees and is best for simple eCommerce sites.
There is also an advanced version of the Online Store plan for $49 a month, which includes advanced add-on features to maximize customer accessibility and data tracking. The more advanced plans can set up features such as appointment scheduling, announcements, photo galleries, and links to social media. Like Wix, you also can select languages for your website so it can be accessed in other countries. There are also features with the Business Plan which allow you to integrate your site with other selling platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Instagram. These plans also allow you to incorporate blogs from other hosting sites like WordPress. Though one of the most widely used hosting services, consider looking into their policies to ensure you own your domain and can change services as needed.
Shopify
Unlike the other hosting services, Shopify is a one-stop shop for setting up an eCommerce site. Shopify allows you to build an online store for people to sell their products in minutes. Like other sites, Shopify offers a variety of themes for your website and tools such as payment processors and features for email marketing and blogging. To give perspective, Shopify hosts 3.8 million stores and is a reliable service but is more expensive than other hosting services. The Starter plan starts at $5 a month, the Basic plan is $29 a month, the Shopify plan is $79 a month, the Advanced plan is $299 a month, and the Shopify Plus is custom pricing. Your first-year subscription offers discounts between 10 to 50 percent off, while choosing to pay in advance for a 2 to 3-year plan gives customers discounts between 20 to 25 percent overall.
All Shopify accounts allow users to have a complete product catalog, payment processors (ability to accept credit card payments), offer gift card purchases, provide discount codes, and connectivity to third-party apps. However, the Starter plan only allows you to create a store sold through third-party apps such as Instagram, while the Basic plan allows customers to access "point-of-sale," which will enable users to sell goods in person. Data reporting regarding sales and site activity is available to those who subscribe to the Shopify plan or higher. With most Shopify plans, users to designate products to retail locations, warehouses, etc. Transaction fees are connected to all sales, but these costs are lower the more advanced a plan users choose to purchase, and this is the same with shipping discounts. Users can also manage international sales, such as tax importation at checkout. Unlike other hosting services, Shopify can host your products and sell through third-party entities, but it is essential to read their terms carefully to maintain brand ownership.
Additional Resources:
Rich Gannon is an SBDC Rural Business Advisor at Great Falls Development Authority and provides coaching and training for established and early-stage entrepreneurs. He works with entrepreneurs in Fergus, Cascade, Glacier, Judith Basin, Pondera, Teton, and Toole counties.
