How much does a free website really cost you?

If you run a website or are in the process of building one, you’ve probably come across “free” website builder offers. At first glance, these options may seem like a great fit. After all, who wouldn’t want a website for free? With user-friendly platforms and drag-and-drop features, it’s easy to design a site in a matter of hours. But… have you really stopped to think about how much a free website is likely to cost you? As a developer, I’m all about quality, and I’ve often had to “recover” projects that were started on free platforms. So I can tell you that “free” can quickly become much more expensive than you thought. In this article, I’ll combine my personal experience with observations to reveal the true cost of a “free” website.

Some evaluated cases of free designed websites

1. Mr. Tom and his Wix site:

Mr. Tom decides to create his site for free on Wix without hiring a professional. Everything looks beautiful and functional once the site is completed. However, a few weeks later, during a dinner, his friend asks him to present his site on his mobile. To his surprise, the site is not at all optimized for mobile devices: the text is misaligned, some images do not display correctly, and navigation is complicated. Result: bad impression and frustration for Tom, who realizes that a free site does not ensure a smooth user experience on all devices.

2. Sarah's business and storage limitations:

Sarah, a small craft business owner, opts for a free site with a low-cost platform. She quickly realizes that she’s reaching her image and product storage limit. Every time she wants to add a new product, she has to delete more files or compromise on image quality. This lack of flexibility prevents her from growing her site as she wanted, and she’s forced to migrate to a paid solution that’s much more expensive than she expected.

3. François’ site and the problem of advertisements:

Francois starts a free blog on a platform that includes advertising to finance the free hosting. At first, he doesn't worry about it too much, but a few months later, he realizes that these intrusive ads, which he can neither choose nor control, are seriously damaging the credibility of his blog. His visitors complain about the constant distractions, and Francois sees his bounce rate increase. He ends up losing part of his audience and has to pay a subscription to remove them, which could have been avoided with a more professional solution from the start.

4. Julie and the slowness of her e-commerce site:

Julie decided to launch her online store using a free solution to save on startup costs. However, every time there was a sale or during peak traffic, her site became very slow or even completely inaccessible. Customers left the site without placing an order, and she lost significant sales. Julie quickly realized that her free hosting couldn’t handle a high load of visitors, which directly impacted her revenue. She ended up hiring a professional to rebuild everything on a more robust platform.

What You Don't Get When You Choose to Create a Website for Free

Behind every “free” offer, there are hidden compromises:

• Content ownership : Some free platforms may claim part of the rights to your content, making it difficult to migrate to a more professional solution in the future.
• Security : Free sites are often the first targets of cyberattacks. Without the proper protections, you expose your data, your users’ data, and potentially your reputation.
• Minimal or no technical support : If you have a problem, you're on your own. Support options on free platforms are often limited to community forums or very slow response times.

Long-term consequences

In the short term, a free site may seem like a good deal. But in the long run, the hidden costs add up:

• Costly redesign : Sooner or later, you will want or need to upgrade to a more robust solution. Migrating from a free site to a professional platform can incur significant costs for data transfer, site redesign, and reintegration of features.
• Loss of customers : A slow, unprofessional, or error-prone website can lead to a loss of credibility and discourage your potential customers.
• Missed Opportunities : With technical limitations and poor SEO, you are missing out on opportunities for growth and visibility.

Some recommendations if cost is an issue

If cost is your main concern, it may be wiser to choose a solution with a minimum subscription rather than a 100% free service. Here are some recommendations:

1. Invest in a custom domain : A custom domain name costs around $10-20 per year, but it greatly increases the credibility of your site.
2. Opt for basic hosting : You can find professional hosting solutions for as little as $5 per month. This gives you a more secure, scalable, and ad-free environment.
3. Start small, but professional : Rather than rushing to a free solution, explore website builder offerings with basic plans. With a minimal monthly subscription, you can have a website without major restrictions, and gradually migrate to more advanced solutions as your business grows.

What can investing in a professional web solution bring you?

Investing in a professional web solution brings you:

• Credibility : A well-designed, fast and secure site helps you inspire trust with your customers.
• Flexibility : With a professional solution, you can customize and adapt your site to your needs, and evolve its features as your business grows.
• Security : You benefit from responsive technical support and solid security solutions, protecting you from the risks associated with cyberattacks.

Conclusion

A free website may seem like a good solution at first, but hidden costs and limitations eventually add up. By choosing a professional solution, even a modest one, you are investing not only in the quality, but also in the sustainability of your online presence. Contact us to discuss the best web solution for your needs and budget.