Can you put up a website for less than $100?
As a web professional, I love nothing more than opening my email first thing in the morning and having somebody ask me if I can build them a website for $100. Oddly, this happens a lot so I’ve decided to write a blog entry here on my site to help you do it yourself.
First, you’ll need to register a domain name.
A domain name is your address on the web, you’ll want to make it snazzy but simple. I recommend using a reputable hosting company to register your domain name. BlueHost will charge you $6.95 for a year.
Secondly, you’ll need a hosting account.
Again, I will recommend BlueHost since it’s where I host my website and I’ve had no problems in two years. Their basic hosting package is $6.95 per month which means your new website now costs $90.35.
Next you’ll need a website.
BlueHost comes complete with a service called Fantastico, once you’ve activated your account click the Fantastico link in your profile to install cool scripts on your new hosting account.
Look for WordPress, it’s the best choice to manage your website and is included for free as part of your BlueHost hosting account. Install WordPress in your base directory, when it’s done you’ll get a username and password as well as a link to your website manager.
Making your website look great.
Now that you’ve purchased a domain name, setup your hosting and installed WordPress as a website manager you’ll want to install a theme. Theme’s are what make WordPress websites look different from each other, there are literally thousands of free themes on the web. In fact, if you’d like to use one of mine, you’re welcome to use Minimalist Fixed, a free WordPress theme.
Update: October 18th – I’ve added two more themes in the last couple of days.
Adding Content
You can quickly add new content to your website by adding Pages in WordPress, this will automatically publish your new content to the website you setup earlier.
There you go, a fully functional website complete with a content manager for less than $100.
Great article, I get those same articles from people all the site. I will defiantly refer some of them to this post!
I’m glad you wrote this post Christopher, because it seems like far too many people are under the impression that creating their own website has to cost thousands of dollars.
BTW, your domain name is quite clever ;)
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Yeah I agree. Most people probably think they gotta spend a bomb setting up a website. Seems hard to convince them to start up their own webby.
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It is certainly possible and in fact, it can be done in less than $50 if you opt for a monthly payment.
It’s very kind of you to outline the steps and every doubters should make an effort to read this article.
Great stuff, Chris and I’m impressed with the way you’ve done with the typography on each of your article. Thumbs up…
Yan
A website sure could be put up for less than $100, but the effort to be put in would also have to be taken into account by the site creator. It is not possible to speed through the process without giving up quality.
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Great article, I get those same articles from people all the site. I It takes alot longer to build an online business but with this post one can have a much easier day.
Thanks
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it depends on the hosting , for me i use hostmoster and i think that they gives a good discount or copunes which make you pay less .
also there is much expensive hosting like yahoo , if you used it your budge will be more than 100$ .
bluehost is good but i didn’t try yet ” i will do if hostmonster make troubles ”
Money Academy’s last blog post..Feedburner problem while posting my feed url
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I came a cross a great article this morning called How much does WordPress really cost?.
Thanks for the comment on my site at http://www.walton.com. Yes, our articles are similar. Good stuff! I’ll be reading your blog now.
Conrad Walton’s last blog post..How Much Does Wordpress Really Cost?
Some wordpress Themes are fabulous, others stink and are frustrating and hard to use. Stick with the proven ones and save yourself time and headaches.
Freelance Biz’s last blog post..Moo Cards
Plus, all of this in just one day. Great. Then you have a mountain to climb. To fill it with useful content… not so easy..
Hi
there are lots of people providing website packages under 100$ but most of them gives just static websites and you have to pay afterwards for updates and maintenance… I recently used this package http://www.techtroubleshooters.info/ and good a good deal.. I could do it myself but did not have time… they gave a good cms system so now I can manage small updates on my own,.,..
I recommend users to take into consideration what a provider is charging for later updates as a site is ever changing…
Thanks
Chris
thanks for an interesting post, I really liked how simple it was to read.