Google and MYOB have teamed up to provide 50,000 businesses with a free website.
Due to the large number of small to medium Australian businesses without an online presence Google’s SME Business Leader Claire Hatton said; “We want to address this gap by removing common barriers like cost and time to set up a website. We also want to make it easier for Australians to find the information they’re looking for online”.
But there’s still no such thing as a free website – after the first year a $5/month fee will be charged.
MYOB chief Tim Reed said that they will be able to sign up 50,000 businesses this year.
How much does a free website really cost?
The cost needs to be viewed in terms of the marketing buy cipro 500mg value of a no-frills 3 page website.
- What will prospects and customers think about your business when they see it?
- Will search engines effectively index your site?
- Will you have time to keep the information up to date?
- Is it able to turn prospects into customers?
These are some of the questions a prospective DIY website builder needs to ask. If a website-for-the-sake-of-having-a-website is the only reason for setting one up then it is effectively like placing your corporate philosophy on your bedroom wall – the only people who see it will be the ones you have specifically invited.
By all means have a go, but don’t be disappointed if you build it and no-one comes.