Free simple website options for small businesses?

February 29, 2012 6:24 PM

I need a dead-simple static website to promote my real estate services and serve as a landing page for Google AdWords ads. Since I'm just getting started with my business, free is best. What are some good options?

I'm tech literate and know basic HTML.

Would something like Google Sites be good for me, at least to start? I heard something on the news about Google offering free small business sites in Virginia, but this doesn't seem to be available everywhere and isn't the same as Google Sites from what I gather.

Should I just get a cheap webhost plan somewhere and use Wordpress? I've done that before, but never for a business. Again, I prefer free options at this point.

posted by iamisaid to technology (8 answers total)

nearlyfreespeech.net?
They have a really cheap static hosting plan that might work if you're willing to do the coding yourself or use TextEdit's export to HTML or something.
I get a few hundred hits a month to a calling-card-page there and I only have to refill my account with five bucks every two months or so.
posted by ooklala at 6:38 PM on February 29, 2012

Wordpress.com is a great option. Rather than explain all the benefits, just go check it out.

I have a few sites hosted there and have been very happy with it. Just FYI, I am proficient in web design and used Dreamweaver and GoLive for years, but once I started using Wordpress.com I've never felt the need to build from scratch.
posted by The Deej at 6:41 PM on February 29, 2012

Seriously static? Just a flat file?

Put it on Dropbox (or whatever) and post a public link.
posted by LogicalDash at 6:44 PM on February 29, 2012

I just created a website for a friend's restaurant using the minimalist tumblr template. You can buy a domain name (I.E.: myrealestatebusiness.com) and then set the domain so it forwards to your tumblr page.

I too have a basic understanding of HTML and was able to make a couple of changes (like widening the gutter on the page). There was some stuff I couldn't figure out (and have been meaning to make an askme about) but I had a functional website up in about four hours.

In total, the whole thing cost $2.50.
posted by to sir with millipedes at 6:56 PM on February 29, 2012

Apostrophe Now has your specific needs in mind; "Many small businesses just need a simple static page that still looks good and can be easily edited and updated."

Full disclosure: I happen to personally know a bunch of the guys who work on it, and I think they are cool people with good brains.
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:30 PM on February 29, 2012

You can host static HTML from Amazon S3.
posted by rhizome at 8:04 PM on February 29, 2012

+1 to rhizome's S3 mention. If you really just want a single static page served up, you can do this for pennies a month on S3 with never a worry about any kind of overage or downtime.

That said, this may be more work than you really want to put in, but once set up it is certainly about as 'set it and forget it' as you'll get.

Depending on your registrar, you may also have access to some simple domain parking through them, if their setup is agreeable to you (usually absolutely nil customization.)
posted by pahalial at 8:10 PM on February 29, 2012

you should check out weebly. it is quick and simple. it's been a while since I looked at their pricing plan for a private domain name but I recall it being very reasonable.
posted by sylviaunlimited at 7:01 PM on March 1, 2012