Starting With a Cheap Solution

To save money, many new business owners will look for the cheapest solution to get a website up and running as fast as possible, sometimes even opting for a free website. They tell themselves that once there's profit or sales, they'll look for a better solution or hire a professional. There's a few things wrong with that idea.

The problem with this approach is three-fold:

1. From a business development standpoint, you clearly haven't thought about and planned for marketing from the get go. Big mistake – marketing is just too important to be left to cheap, band-aid solutions.
2. The idea of "later, when there's more money" is usually void of the notion that there's a good chance you'll be busier and therefore will have less time to focus on this kind of endeavor. (Nevermind the fact that most people who say they'll update or upgrade later rarely do.)
3. Unless the cheap solution is very good and actually takes your business image – current and future – into consideration you're tarnishing your brand before its even had a chance to be established.

Somewhat understandably, the thinking behind all this is that money will be saved on what is viewed a necessary expense. The fact is, a business website isn't an expense. It is a marketing tool, and as such, it is an investment. An asset. Sounds trite, sure, but it's true. A website – when done correctly – will give you a good return (multiple times over usually). That's the very definition of investment.

The Solution: Do it right the first time

If you're setting up your business in an organized, well thought-out manner, an initial marketing budget should automatically be part of your plan. And that, while it will likely mean doing your homework, should include branding, a website and possibly more. But building all that in to your business plan will help get you get off on the right foot. You'll be spending your money wisely as opposed to just spending it because you think you have to.