5 easy ways to save money when launching a new website
Here is the thing: anyone embarking on a website design project will approach it with different budgets. Maybe you have been saving for a custom-designed website that is uniquely created just for your business by a professional. Maybe you are just starting out and you want to spend the least amount of money possible right now. Or maybe you find yourself somewhere in the middle.
This blog post is for you if you are in the **saving** phase of building your business. Below I cover five easy ways for you to save money when designing your website.
1. DIY your website design with templates
If you are looking to save money, you probably will not want to hire a professional designer right now. Instead, look for website templates to kickstart your project. I recommend using templates over designing an entire website from scratch. The latter will take up too much of your time - and instead of focusing on growing your business, you will be too busy trying to figure out how to code something.
Squarespace* is the platform I use to design all of my client's website. They have numerous template options for you to choose from.
TIP: If you do go for Squarespace*, don't get too worried about finding the perfect template to use. All of their templates have the same editing abilities. Templates are just a way to make your life easier. My suggestion is for you to choose a template that is the closest to the overall design you want. Look at the colors, fonts, and page layouts. All of those can be tweaked once you start using the template, but choosing one that is close to what you want your final result to look like will save you time down the road.
While Squarespace templates are free with your hosting, they are not truly tailored for wellness entrepreneurs. That is why I started my template shop. These templates include everything you would want for your wellness business website: a sales page focused on displaying your coaching services, shop pages designed to sell ebooks or affiliate links to health brands, a calendar on your site for clients to book calls with you, to name a few.
2. Get your domain name for free
If you do host your website with Squarespace*, they will gift you a free year of your domain name when you choose their annual payment plan.
Domain names usually range between $15 - $60 /year. With Squarespace, you would get the first year free, and then $20/year after that. If you would like to get your domain name separately, then I recommend using Godaddy.
3. Ask a friend to photograph you
You have probably heard me talk about how important great photography is for your website. I truly believe that professionally taken photos are SO important. So, if there is one place you are willing to invest money on, this is it!!
BUT, if you really can't afford hiring photographers right now, then ask your partner/family/friends to take photos of you. There is always that one person in your inner circle that owns a nice camera. Ask them to take photos of you, and treat them to dinner in exchange.
4. Use free stock photography
Stock images are a great way to populate your website aside from your personal photos. Websites like Pexels and Unsplash have beautiful high-quality photography that is also copyright-free. For more free stock photography website, read this blog post.
5. Sign up for the free version these tools
As a wellness entrepreneur, two tools are a must for your website (even if you are just starting out):
An email marketing tool (allows you to collect emails, promote a freebie, and send out newsletters)
An online appointment scheduling software (allows you to add an appointment calendar to your website so clients can book calls and appointments with you)
Below are my favorite options that offer a free plan:
Email marketing:
Online appointment scheduling tool:
I hope you guys found value in these tips! If you follow all of the steps above, the only expense you will have to launch your website is to host your website. On Squarespace, that would be as low as $16/month!!! ;]
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Note: Links with a * are affiliate links of business I support and purchase from. If you use these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! ;]
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