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Just like a physical store needs regular upkeep, your website needs maintenance to stay in good shape. What's interesting is that different types of websites need different levels of care. If you're using WordPress or similar platforms, you'll need to keep up with security updates and regular maintenance to keep everything running safely. But if you opt for a static website (built with simple HTML and CSS), you'll have much less to worry about since there's no complex backend to maintain.
The beauty of static websites is their simplicity – they don't have databases or dynamic components that need constant updates. While they still benefit from occasional check-ups to ensure everything's working well with your hosting platform, they're generally much easier and cheaper to maintain over time.
If you aren't expecting regular updates to your websites, static websites may be the better option to consider.
Hosting is essential – it's what makes your website actually visible on the internet. The good news is that hosting costs have become quite reasonable, especially for static websites. Platforms like Vercel or Netlify, and even the large cloud providers like AWS and Azure, even offer free hosting for static sites as long as you stay within their free-tier limits. For more complex sites using WordPress or e-commerce platforms, you'll typically pay between $10-100 per month, depending on your needs, traffic, and the quality of service you're looking for.
Sometimes your website needs extra functionality that's best handled by specialised services. Take online booking systems, for example. While you could build this into your website, it's often smarter and more cost-effective to use an existing service that specialises in bookings. These services usually come with their own monthly costs, but they're generally worth it for the reliability and features they offer.
The legal side of running a website is another important consideration. If you're collecting user data or running an online store, you'll need proper terms of service and privacy policies. The good news is that many small business websites can keep things simple. For example, if you only collect data through a contact form and don't store user information, your legal requirements are much simpler. It's still worth consulting with a lawyer who understands internet business and privacy, but you might find you need less than you think.
Here's something important to keep in mind: when you're getting a website built, you might be offered various "extras" or add-ons. While some of these can be valuable, many aren't necessary for every business. It's easy for web designers to make certain features sound essential when they're really just nice-to-haves that increase your costs.
The key is to focus on what your business actually needs. Every business is different, and what works for one might not work for another. If someone's trying to sell you additional features, ask yourself (or better yet, ask them) how exactly these features will help your business grow or serve your customers better.
The best approach to website costs is to start with what you truly need and add features only when they provide real value to your business. Be wary of packages that include lots of extras you might not use. Instead, look for transparency in pricing and clear explanations of what each cost covers. Your website should be an investment that helps your business grow, not a source of endless expenses.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to business websites. The key is finding the right balance of features and costs that works for your specific situation. By understanding these basic costs and what you really need, you can make better decisions about your online presence and avoid paying for things you don't need.