It's easier than ever before to create your own small business website, but if it's not something you've done before it can seem intimidating.
In this guide we'll look at the three main options for creating a small business website by yourself, and how easy (or difficult) a particular method is.
The hardest option: Building a small business website from scratch
In the early days of the web if you wanted a website of any kind you'd either have to learn to code yourself, or find someone with the knowhow who was willing to build it for you.
And although it's true that someone who already has the skills to create a website could probably build a functioning small business site in a matter of hours, it's actually gaining the required skills in the first place that's the hard part.
You'll need to start by learning the coding languages HTML and CSS, and you'll probably need to learn JavaScript too.
It's possible to learn the skills required to build websites in two to three months, but that's if you're able to attend an intensive in-person training course known as a bootcamp.
So that means two to three months where you can't focus fully on your business and/or day job.
If you can't commit to an intensive course, then you're probably looking at a period of 9 months to a year before you have the skills you need to create websites.
You should also bear in mind that while there are free coding courses out there, it's likely that the most effective courses will charge a fee.
Now if you're considering launching a career as a web designer then investing time and money in learning the ropes is a good idea.
But if you're only planning to build one website (your own), then learning to code may not be a worthwhile use of your resources.
The easier option: Building a small business website with WordPress
Even if you've never heard of it, the chances are you've visited a website that has been created with WordPress.
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows people to create a basic website quickly and easily.
If you use WordPress you don't have to code your site from scratch, and you can change your site's appearance or add new content with a few clicks of your mouse.
Even if you have no technical skills, you can get a basic WordPress website up and running in an hour or so.
Using a package like WordPress Websites from GoDaddy will allow you to take advantage of pre-built sites and a drag & drop page editor, making things even easier.
WordPress also allows you to add in extra functionality by using WordPress plugins. You can learn more about plugins in this guide.
Although it's easy to get up and running with WordPress, it's a platform with advanced features which do require technical skills.
For example, as well as using pre-existing templates to dictate the look of your WordPress site, you could also create your own bespoke look for the site from scratch. You'd need coding skills to do this, however.
WordPress is a great choice if you're comfortable with the fairly gentle learning curve required to get a basic site up and running, and if you're looking to develop your skills you could always tackle the more advanced aspects later.
The easiest option: GoDaddy's Website Builder
Want to create your business website in under an hour? GoDaddy's Website Builder is the tool for you.
Whether you need a one-page brochure-style site, a fully-fledged ecommerce site, or something in between Website Builder has you covered.
You can create your site using one of our high-quality templates and then modify it so it suits your needs using the drag & drop editor.
There's a whole host of other features available including social media integration, online appointment booking, and online payments.
With GoDaddy Websites + Marketing, you can also get access to a range of marketing tools including email marketing and SEO.
You'll also get tailored action plans with guidance about what you can do to improve your website.
As an added bonus, you'll also benefit from 24/7 support from GoDaddy Guides, meaning that you'll always have someone to help you if you get stuck.
Summing up
If you want to create a small business website quickly and easily, then GoDaddy's Website Builder should be top of your list.
You can even get started for free, so you can get to grips with the platform without having to spend a single penny.
