Recommendations sought

[cilla4progress]

I am starting up a new professional small business. Are there any reliable, competent free website development services available, or should I pay GoDaddy to help me build it? I registered my domain name with them.

Thank you!

[ManiacJoe]

1. When it comes to software development,

(good quality, fast schedule, cheap price) : pick any two.

The old recommendation was to always keep the registrar and the host separate for your website as it keeps the conflicts of interest at a minimum. I have no reason to think that this recommendation is not still valid.

[DaveJ]

2. Can you hire GoDaddy to build your site?

Do they actually build your site, like human beings responding to your requests, or are you building it with their templates?

There are lots of ways to promote your business without having your own custom website.

I'm a software developer, so obviously I'm biased. I think every business of substantial size should have a full time software developer. This would allow you to focus on the core of your business.

If you are making money, but only enough for yourself, not enough for a full time software developer, then that is a delicate balance. You don't want to waste your time doing software development. In that case, I would hire a freelancer to take care of these things so you don't have to spend time on them. If you start making big money then hire a full time developer.

[cilla4progress]

3. I think building it with their templates.

The business is so small, I'm the only employee!

Thanks.

[DaveJ]

4. I'd still get a 'human' involved

Personally, I'd look at sites like freelancer.com and others where you might find people to help out. These sites have ways you can check their reputation and past work.

I can give you more opinions, but if you talk to another developer, it will be their opinion that matters. If I were a freelancer, I'd do little projects that only took a few hours and try to give you good results, so hopefully there are people like that out there.

Sorry for the delay but I didn't see the tab turn yellow.

Edit: sorry I don't know of a good website for creating a website. The GoDaddy templates might be good, I just have not used them.

[JennyD]

5. I'm in the same boat

I'm also looking to do the same. I already have my business on social media sites but wanted a web host that would help me create a professional looking page for customers to refer to. I've done a bit of research myself and there are loads of options. Wordpress always seems to come up in forums. GoDaddy comes up now and again. I've also heard good things from a few people I know about 1and1 (http://website.1and1.com/make-your-own-website). But I guess it all depends what you want, really. I'm still deciding myself. Hope you find something.

[cilla4progress]

6. Me too.

Thanks!