10 Best Cheap Website Builders in 2023
Explore the best affordable website builders of 2023 with pricing, features, and tips to build a stunning site without breaking the bank.
7 minutes
12 May
How To Design a Brand New Website
March 31, 2023
Do people keep telling you that your business needs a website?If you run a successful small business that’s done well, you may be wondering: does my business really need a website?The answer is yes. Whether you're in the private or public sector, the answer is always yes.Without a website, your business is missing out on a huge number of potential customers because many people nowadays compare products and services online before they commit to purchasing them.While your business might be doing well, you can never make too many sales, right?If you’ve never created your own website before, don’t worry. We can also help with 4 steps to create a flawless website, the ultimate checklist to building a website and how often should you redesign your website. For an example of our tailored approach to web design, you can see our guide to building an architect website.We’ll explain the basics of designing your own business website below.
1. Define your website’s purpose
Before you can start designing your website, you need to establish a clear purpose.What is your unique selling point and how will you convey that to visitors to your website?You’ll also need to think about what kind of pages you need for your website because this will determine the amount of protection you need.Some businesses may only need a landing page, a services page and a contact form. Others may need more advanced functions, like a membership login page or payment processing. Then you need to think about how you’re going to keep your customers’ information safe.This will also help you later when you are choosing your content management system (CMS) such as WordPress or Wix.
2. Decide on your branding
Branding encompasses not just your company’s logo but also the colours, fonts and imagery that you use on your website.You should make sure that your branding is consistent across your social media channels and other marketing strategies that you implement.Most brands stick to one dominant colour with one or two secondary colours.Colours evoke different emotions, so choose colours that best reflect your brand.
3. Map Out The Site Architecture
Once you've got your colours, it's time to plan your site architecture.If your business is small, you'll probably only need a few pages which will make this process easier. However, if you're looking to build a website with a large number of pages, then you’ll probably need a drop-down menu bar so users can easily find the page that they’re looking for. You'll also need to think about which pages will link to which. For example, your home page can connect to your category pages, which would link to your products or sub-categories.This helps you plan the customer’s journey, and it also keeps a nice internal linking structure for search engine optimisation (SEO).SEO is crucial for your business to stand out from your competitors because you’ll appear higher than them in search results.When planning your website pages, you might consider including a blog because adding high-quality content is important for SEO.
4. Choose a Website Builder/CMS
By now you should have a basic idea of what you want your website to look like. You've got the structure of pages, the colour, and functions, meaning you have enough to get started.Before you can start, you need to choose a website builder and/or CMS to build your website.There are hundreds of website builders out there with each having their pros and cons. Do some research before picking one to make sure that it’s going to suit your business needs.If you know people that run their own website, ask them for advice on which one you should choose. There are also many online forums where web designers discuss which CMS they like to use and why.Below we’ve outlined some of the most popular website builders.
WordPress (best for small businesses)
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) on the internet with 39.5% of all websites powered by it. It's an entirely free, open-source CMS that you can install and it’s very user-friendly. The great thing about WordPress is that there are many plug-ins that you can download. Plug-ins are software that you can add to your website that can extend functionality or add features to your website.We recommend pairing WordPress with the Divi website builder (the most widely used WordPress theme).
Webflow (Best For Designers)
Webflow is a more visual website builder that has gained popularity in the last couple of years. It's easy-to-use and navigate but isn't an open-source platform like WordPress.While Webflow is not as cheap as WordPress, you can customise more aspects of your website without needing to know how to code.The templates are well-designed and work for a range of different industries.
Shopify (Best For e-commerce)
Shopify is the most popular e-commerce platform on the internet. It has a wide range of features and apps specifically for e-commerce businesses, making it a great choice if you are looking to start an online store. Alternatively, you can also use WordPress + WooCommerce, which is also very popular.Bonus tip: If you are looking to get organic traffic through SEO, make sure to choose an SEO-friendly CMS.
5. Choose a Template/Theme
Next, you'll need to choose a template or theme. This will determine the layout of your website. Think of it like the foundations of a house - it forms the building blocks, but you make it your own by filling it with your possessions.If you decide to use WordPress with the Divi builder, it comes with plenty of preloaded themes you can use and easily edit.However, regardless of which CMS you choose to use, each will have their templates that are ready for you to start designing your website.You’ll be able to filter templates by industry, so that you can find out that suits yours.Once you’ve picked one, you can create the different pages that you planned earlier.
6. Add Content
Website content is what is going to set your business apart from others. Unfortunately, this is where people can have the most issues because content can alter the format of your website, especially when you’re adding images.Depending on how big your website is you can write the content yourself or hire a professional copywriter to assist you. The advantage of having a copywriter do this for you is that they know how to optimise your content for SEO purposes.If you are unfamiliar with SEO, then terms such as ‘meta description’ and ‘alt text’ will be quite foreign. However, when SEO is done correctly, your website will start to rank higher in search engine results. While content alone won’t rank you higher, it’s a great starting point.When creating content make sure to include images - and videos, if possible - to engage with the user. However, make sure large images and videos are compressed because they can slow down the speed of your website.The language should be kept simple and written in short chunks so the reader isn’t overwhelmed. Break up your content with clear headings so that visitors can scan to find what’s useful to them.
7. Publish Your Website
It’s almost time to publish your website. But just before you hit ‘publish’, ensure your website is fully functional; test out the links, buttons and any other functions. At this point, you should also test your website on different devices and make sure everything runs smoothly.Another thing to double-check is that all your content is readable (on all devices). Get a friend to look over your website, just in case there’s something you’ve missed.
Final Thoughts
Designing a website for the first time can be difficult and time consuming. However, at any point that you get stuck, there are thousands of people who have experienced the same problem or similar that you can read about online.You will reap the benefits of having a user-friendly website because the easier people find it to use, the more likely they’ll stay on your site and potentially purchase your products or services.Having a website isn’t just something you set up once and forget about. You need to refresh it with new content and ensure all software is up-to-date.If you’d like to learn more about SEO or website design, please check out our other articles below:Why You Need To Update Your Website Regularly4 Steps To Creating A Flawless WebsiteWhat Is Internal Linking? How Can It Help My Website Performance
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Who is Digital Treasury?
We're a Melbourne-based digital agency with extensive experience helping Australian businesses build stronger online presences. Our team specialises in web design, development, hosting and SEO services - everything you need to get found online and convert visitors into customers.
Over the years, we've worked across different platforms and industries, giving us the insight to know what actually works for businesses like yours. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing website, we focus on practical solutions that deliver real results for your business.
What types of businesses and industries do you work with?
We work with a wide range of Australian businesses, with particular expertise in healthcare, B2B services, SaaS companies, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), professional services and e-commerce brands. Our team offers tailored SEO and web solutions that are customised to fit your industry, target audience and business goals.
Where is Digital Treasury located and do you work with businesses Australia-wide?
We are based in Melbourne but we work with clients throughout Australia. Our work is mostly done remotely by video conferencing and emails, which makes collaboration easier regardless of where your business may be based.
What services does Digital Treasury offer?
Our key services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Design, Website Development, Website Maintenance and Website Hosting. They are provided either separately or combined, ensuring that we provide you with one reliable source to help establish your online presence for your business.
How do I get started with Digital Treasury?
Getting started is easy. Just contact us for an initial conversation about what you want, your budget and timeframe. We will talk to you about what you need, give advice about the best way forward and provide you with a detailed, upfront proposal.
What makes Digital Treasury different from other agencies?
We integrate our technical skills with honest communication and a strong emphasis on results that will benefit your company. Being a small team allows us to give you personal attention, upfront costs and all the support we would give to our own project.
Do you work with small businesses and startups?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are small businesses and startups looking to establish or improve their online presence. We will make suggestions based on your particular situation and budget needs, providing useful services at affordable prices.
How do you communicate with clients and report on progress?
We are convinced that clear communication should be maintained consistently during any of our projects. In accordance with the chosen service, you will be updated about your project through emails, meetings and detailed reports. We maintain constant contact with you, answering your queries along the way.
How does Digital Treasury structure its pricing?
We keep our pricing straightforward by providing a complete project quote rather than breaking it down into confusing line items. This approach gives you a clear understanding of exactly what you'll pay for the entire scope of work.
Every project is different, so costs depend on your specific requirements and the complexity involved. We'll assess your needs and provide transparent pricing that reflects the full value of what we'll deliver for your business.
Am I locked into a long-term contract?
We believe in earning your trust through quality work rather than tying you down with restrictive contracts. For specific projects like website builds, we'll provide you with a clear upfront quote so you know exactly what to expect.
Our ongoing services like website hosting, maintenance and search engine optimisation work a bit differently - we discuss these on a flexible arrangement basis that suits your business needs and budget.
Can you provide case studies or examples of previous work?
Yes, we can provide case studies and examples of our previous work. Potential clients frequently request these to see concrete evidence of our past successes. They want to understand how we’ve helped similar businesses achieve their goals through SEO and website development. Our case studies typically highlight our clients’ challenges, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results we achieved, such as increased traffic and higher conversion rates. This builds trust and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promises.
What types of SEO services do you offer?
We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services designed to boost your online visibility. Our core services include technical SEO fixes, on-page and content optimisation, local SEO for Melbourne businesses, thorough keyword research, detailed SEO audits, strategic link building, and ongoing performance tracking.
Can you guarantee first-page or number-one rankings?
No reputable SEO agency can guarantee specific rankings because search engines like Google use complex algorithms that change frequently. These changes are completely outside anyone's control. What we can promise is our commitment to using proven, white-hat strategies that give your website the best possible chance of ranking well.
Rather than making unrealistic promises, we focus on sustainable SEO practices that build long-term visibility and drive genuine business results. Our approach is about maximising your opportunities for success, not making guarantees that simply can't be kept.
Do you offer local SEO for businesses targeting specific areas?
Yes. Local SEO ensures that your business is found in location-specific search results and map results, making it perfect if you offer your products or services within specific suburbs or locations. We ensure that we optimise your Google Business Profile and your website content for local search.
Do you help with content optimisation?
Yes. Quality and relevant content plays a very important role in effective SEO optimisation. We can optimise your current webpages as well as provide you with some suggestions for creating content based on your keywords.
How much does SEO cost?
Pricing for SEO is determined based on your specific business goals, how competitive your industry is and the amount of work needed to achieve results. We will customise pricing plans depending on budgets while giving you a definite quote right from the start.
How do you decide which keywords to target?
We do extensive keyword research to know how your prospective clients search for information on the internet. After analysis of various parameters like search intent, relevancy, competition and commercial value, we shortlist keywords that resonate well with your products and services.
Do I need to change my website's content for SEO?
Yes, quite often. We recommend refreshing existing content frequently or creating new pieces that better match what your potential customers are actually searching for online. Of course, changes should be carefully implemented with regard to your company’s tone of voice.
What is the contract length for your SEO service?
We ensure that our SEO agreement remains flexible as opposed to being committed to long-term contracts. Even though SEO is most effective when conducted on a continuous basis, we do not mind discussing agreements that work for your benefit.
Is it necessary to hire an SEO agency or can I do SEO myself?
You can surely do basic SEO on your own and we are happy to point you in the right direction. However, SEO is very time-consuming and keeps changing frequently. Hiring an experienced SEO agency will ensure that you get more out of it without having to think about it anymore.
How does backlink building contribute to SEO success?
Backlinks are simply links to your website from another website. Search engines consider backlinks as an indication of credibility and authority. Our approach is to build links to your site through ethical and sustainable methods, building up the reputation of your website in the process.
What does your website design process look like?
We start by understanding your business goals and target audience to ensure your website truly connects with your customers. From there, we develop a web design strategy and create initial designs that we refine based on your feedback. Once you approve the designs, we go ahead to the development phase.
When should I consider redesigning my website?
A redesign is worth considering if your site looks outdated, performs poorly on mobile, loads slowly, is difficult to update or no longer reflects your brand. A modern, well-built website can improve user experience, credibility and your ability to attract customers.
Which CMS platforms do you build websites on?
We specialise in Webflow and WordPress, selecting the most suitable platform for you. WordPress allows for versatility, whereas Webflow gives you a sleek design with easy maintenance. We will suggest the most appropriate choice for you.
Do you provide SEO with your website builds?
Yes. All our websites are developed using SEO guidelines like a clean layout, quick loading speed, mobile optimisation and solid on-page foundation. In addition to that, we have professional SEO service packages that help businesses increase their online presence.
Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?
Yes. We offer website maintenance services to ensure that your website is safe, up-to-date and working properly. This encompasses software and plug-in upgrades, security protection, backups and basic changes to give you a hassle-free experience so that you can concentrate on your business.
Can I migrate my existing site to your hosting?
Yes, we can absolutely handle the complete website transfer to our managed hosting platform without any hassle on your end. Our team manages the entire migration process, ensuring your site moves across smoothly without downtime or disruption to your business.
Can we provide feedback throughout the process?
Absolutely and we actually encourage it. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to review our progress and share your thoughts at every stage. It ensures we're building exactly what you have in mind, rather than guessing what might work.
Will I own my website once it's built?
Yes. After completion of your project, the website will be yours. We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to issues of ownership and accessibility and would gladly take care of your requirements in this respect.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeline for your website project really depends on what you're looking to achieve. A straightforward business website typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, while more complex builds with custom functionality or extensive content requirements will naturally take longer.
We'll give you a clear timeline estimate once we understand your specific needs during our initial consultation. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan your launch accordingly.
What kind of support do you provide after my website launches?
We don't go away once we've launched. We provide continuing support, maintenance and hosting to ensure that your website runs at optimum capacity. If you have any queries about how to develop your website, we will be there for you.
