Renting Versus Owning a Website:
Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, and Hibu….. If you are a business owner using any of these services, you may not realize you are actually renting your website and paying a monthly fee for a website that is only yours if you stay with that company. If so, this article is for you! Owning your website offers multiple advantages over renting. From taking complete control of your brand to having access to valuable data analytics, there are plenty of reasons why owning is better than renting. Whether you’re just starting out or already established, we’ll explain seven reasons why owning your website is right for you and your business.
Cost Savings
When first starting out, funds are often tight, and it may be tempting to sign up with an advertising company that will provide you with a website for a monthly fee along with advertising. But while tempting, the truth is owning your website can be an excellent way to save money in the long run, and renting provides multiple disadvantages they won’t tell you.
So why not rent? By renting your website, you are essentially chaining yourself to a company you have zero experience with. Often these companies are selling you a package of costly advertising services and building the website for free- or so you think! If you add up the monthly “rent” for your website, you will find that you could have built and owned your website for less than what they typically charge you after 6-8 months. Your monthly rental fee is strictly profit to the provider- an easy way to make money off you for something you don’t even own.
Even worse, what happens if your advertising doesn’t pay off, you have a painful experience with this company, or you decide to change providers? If you don’t own your website, you do not have the option of leaving and taking your website along. You would be forced to rebuild your website with another developer, and depending on the size of your site and what assets must be recreated, this can get costly quickly!
Customization Options
Another benefit of owning a website is its flexibility and customization options. When you own your website, you can customize it to fit your needs and adjust it as needed. This gives you more control over how the website looks, feels, and functions. You can also add new features as your business grows. With a rented website, you will be limited in your design template options and what changes or additions you can make.
Having complete control of your website also means it will be easier to keep up with trends and advances in web design. You’ll be able to ensure your website looks modern and appealing to visitors. Plus, with a custom-built site, you won’t have to worry about competing with other websites built on the same platform as yours because each one will be unique.
By owning your website, you’ll have complete control over every aspect. You’ll be able to determine precisely how much money you are willing to spend on development costs and maintenance fees; plus, there’s no need for extra software or plugins if you don’t want them! This means that your website will look great and function well, giving customers and potential customers an enjoyable experience when they visit your site.
Flexibility
When you own your website, you get the ultimate flexibility. You can move it anywhere and make any changes without consulting a landlord or worrying about being stuck with a company you don’t like or services you don’t need. You can also change the design and features of your website as quickly as you’d like without going through a lengthy process. This makes owning your website ideal for quick-moving businesses with dynamic needs.
In contrast, if you rent a website, you may be tied down by long-term contracts or limited by hosting services that don’t allow customization. Furthermore, if you decide to take your site elsewhere at any point, you could be faced with termination fees and other financial penalties in addition to your rebuild costs.
Owning a website allows you to make changes whenever necessary, which is especially helpful for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition. It lets you remain true to your brand identity and fully express yourself online. Complete ownership brings total control over your online presence – something impossible when renting a website.
Brand Recognition and Control
Owning your website allows you to have complete control over your brand. You have full control over the look and feel of your website, from the layout to the content. You can add features or changes as needed without waiting for approval from a third party or finding out they don’t provide that option. This means that any branding initiatives you want to undertake are under your control, giving you more power in shaping the identity of your business.
Increased Visibility and Reach
By owning your website, you can significantly increase its visibility and reach. When you rent a website, you are limited by the provider’s promotion capabilities. As mentioned, you have zero alternatives if you are unhappy and wish to leave other than starting over to rebuild the site. However, when you own your website, the possibilities for marketing and promotion are virtually limitless. You can use search engine optimization to ensure your website appears at the top of relevant search engine results pages and track and ensure the ROI is accurate. Additionally, you can leverage social media channels and paid digital advertising campaigns to spread awareness of your website and attract more visitors. Most importantly, all the effort you put into your brand and website remains yours and is owned by you!
Owning your website also gives you access to data that can help you understand how users interact with it. This data can be used to craft content that appeals to users and encourage them to visit more often. Furthermore, by using web analytics tools like Google Analytics, you can measure key metrics like page views, bounce rates, and time on site so that it is easier to identify areas of improvement in terms of user engagement. When you do not own your site, you are entirely reliant on the data someone else provides and cannot ensure accuracy.
Professional Image
Owning your website gives you a professional image. It shows potential customers and clients you are serious about your business and dedicated to providing quality services. A website can be used as an online portfolio to showcase your work, a great way to market yourself without spending too much money. Furthermore, having a website can help establish credibility with potential customers and make it easier for them to find you online.
Rented websites often look the same because you are limited by design templates and choices available. If you own your website, you have total ownership of your professional image and the work you put into it.
Scalability
As opposed to renting a website, owning one provides scalability advantages. When you own a website, it is easier to scale up or down based on your needs. You can easily add features and capabilities, such as new web pages, forms, or images. Additionally, you have the freedom to expand in other ways. For example, if you decide to increase the size of your online presence by adding more content or expanding into different markets, it can be done quickly and efficiently when you own the website.
On the other hand, when you rent a website, it can be challenging to make changes other than those your host or provider allows. You may be restricted by limited resources and capabilities unavailable with rented websites. This can limit your ability to grow and expand at your desired rate. Furthermore, it can prevent you from taking advantage of opportunities to increase visibility and sales.
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Website?
Owning a website is an excellent way to establish an online presence and build a successful business. But when it comes to the cost of owning a website, many people are unsure of where to start. It’s important to understand that various expenses are associated with owning and maintaining a website, including hosting, design, development, and more.
The good news is that owning a website doesn’t have to break the bank, even if you’re on a budget. The costs vary depending on the type of website you’re looking for – for example, if you want just a basic website with no bells or whistles, such as e-commerce features or custom visuals, it will likely cost much less than if you want something more complex.
Professional web agencies such as Delaware Digital Media charge a one-time upfront development fee to create and customize the website to represent your brand and services. Then, there is a small monthly recurring fee for them to manage the maintenance of the website. Maintenance includes keeping the software updated and running smoothly, managing the firewall and security functions, and keeping the site backed up and hosted live on the internet. Agencies also can provide additional packages to handle onsite changes for you or additions, as well as on-page SEO and digital marketing campaigns. The best part is owning the website; you are in complete control to make decisions for your business without being forced to stay with the provider.
Conclusion
Owning a website is an investment that comes with many advantages. It has a better return on investment, is more secure, and offers more control over your brand. With all these advantages at your fingertips, owning a website may be the best decision for your online presence.
