Google announced they’ll be shutting down Google Sites starting here in March of 2024, leaving a lot of small businesses without the website they probably depend on and looking for google website alternatives.
If you were using Google sites, honestly I get it. Websites can get expensive! Many agencies will charge somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000 for a fairly simple website. I don’t think small businesses need to be spending that kind of money. I also don’t think Google sites was the best option for your business. I think there are better ways of building websites.
I recently heard someone compare a website to a brick and mortar store. Brick and mortar gets you in front of customers, helps you sell stuff and unfortunately: cost money. But it’s an investment, and it’s worth it! Why don’t we look at websites the same way?
- Websites are your home-base on the internet. Not having one is the digital equivalent of being homeless.
- 76% of consumers look at online presence before physically visiting a business
- A good website helps you get discovered via search engines and now increasingly AI and voice search.
Most common website alternative: All-in-one website builders like Squarespace, Wix or Webflow.
Cost: $16-27/mo
Time: 10 hours
Effectiveness: 3/10
You pay a bit of a monthly premium with sites like these, but they make the back end very simple for you and all the technical stuff is hidden. Squarespace and Wix are pretty user friendly, whereas Webflow is geared for people with a better understanding of design and technical tools.
Drawbacks: you still have to write on your content and the design is limited to the templates they offer. Many of the designs are cool, but if you really want to customize how it looks, it can get pretty frustrating. (I’m pretty technically savvy and I get pretty angry using these when I have to.)
Advances website alternative: Build and host your own WordPress site with a template or template builder.
Cost: $5-$20/mo
Time: 20 hours
Effectiveness: 3/10
Less expensive than website builders, and a lot more customizability but more work. Plugins and themes on WordPress have to be updated pretty often. You can host on sites like Godaddy, Bluehost, (or my personal favorite web host Flywheel / WP Engine.) If you settle for a cheaper host, just know they can get pretty slow and bogged down.
P.S. If you want to build the site on your own, but don’t want to deal with the technical part, I can host it for you!
Done-for-you website alternative: Skymouse One-page website
Cost: $3000
Time: 2 hours
Effectiveness: 8/10
The websites I build are designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They are simple, clean and the process is near effortless. I handle the writing, design and development for you and you get a professional website that you are guaranteed to love.
These websites emphasize messaging. The goal is to engage and convince your website visitors that you are the best at what you do.
Are there free google website alternatives out there?
Short answer is no. Not all websites are created equal. These google website alternatives will cost you money, but the free website you were getting from Google just wasn’t a good product. In fact, I would say most websites are clunky, hard to use and altogether ineffective. Lucky for you, I created a free webinar outlining the 3 core aspects of what makes a great website. You can watch that for free here.
If you have any other questions or want more information on what your options are, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
