2. Who is the real owner of the website?

One of the most important questions that many entrepreneurs ask only when they want to change service provider is: “Is the website really mine?”

At first glance, the answer seems obvious – if you have paid for the creation or regularly pay for a monthly subscription, it is logical to expect that you are the owner of the website. In practice, however, this is not always the case.

With some models of free website creation, the service provider retains certain rights over the project. This may mean that the website is located exclusively on their hosting, that they use their own platform or that they contractually limit the ability to transfer the website to another provider.

This does not necessarily mean that it is an unfair commercial practice. Such models may be fully legitimate if the terms and conditions are clearly stated prior to the conclusion of the cooperation. The problem arises when the user Only after a few years find out that Web site transfer is not possible or yes for him has to pay an additional fee.

This is why, before accepting an offer, it is important to find out the answers to several key questions:

• Who is the owner domains?
• Who owns the content (texts, photos and other materials)?
• Do you get administrator access to the website?
• Can you at any time move the website to another hosting or leave the maintenance to another company?
• Is there a fee for the transfer or purchase of the website?

If a website is created in WordPress or another open source system, transmission is generally possible, provided that you have access to all the necessary information. On the other hand, for proprietary platforms or subscription-based contractual models, the transfer may be limited or completely disabled.

The best approach is not to seek an offer that promises the most, but one that clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties. A transparent company will have no problem explaining in advance what happens to the website if one day you decide to terminate the cooperation.

In the end, it is worth remembering a simple rule: The website is not just the design you see on the screen. It includes domain, content, database, files and access to administration. Before accepting any offer, check what of it really becomes your property.

At our company InsertioWeb, you are the owner of the site, content, you have access to the admin and you can move the site to another hosting every moment.

3. Hosting as a source of income – what do you actually pay for?

One of the most common ways companies generate revenue when offering free website creation is through hosting service. Hosting is the space on the web server where your website is located and without it, it cannot be accessible to visitors.

When someone offers you to create a website without a starting fee, it is very often a condition that you use hosting right with that company. In this way, the service provider does not generate income through the creation of the site itself, but through a long-term monthly or annual fee for the accommodation and maintenance of the website.

Such a business model in itself is not problematic. Hosting is the actual cost and quality hosting can significantly affect the speed, security and reliability of the website. Professional hosting includes modern servers, backups, attack protection, site monitoring and technical support. For many users who do not want to deal with technical details, this approach can be very practical.

However, it is important to understand the difference between quality hosting services and the situation in which hosting is used as a way of long-term bonding of the client. Some offers can have a significantly higher hosting price from the usual market price, especially when hosting includes the “free” creation of a website.

For example, a client may receive an offer:

• Creating a website: 0 €
• hosting and maintenance: 30-60 € per month

At first glance, the offer looks favorable because there is no initial investment. However, after a few years the total amount can be significant. That is why it is important to calculate the total cost throughout the period of use, and not just look at the initial price.

Before accepting such an offer, it is good to clarify a few important issues. Check where your website is physically located i what characteristics of hosting you get for the price you pay. It is also important to find out whether hosting is reported separately; in the offer or included in the total price. Find out if you can easily move the website to another hosting provider in the future and get access to all the data needed for a successful migration. In the end, be sure to check whether the price remains the same after the first year use or increase after the end of the initial period.

A distinction should also be made between professional hosting and ordinary “server space”. Websites of business users require stability, security and good support. The cheapest hosting is not always the best solution Because slow operation of the site, frequent interruptions or security issues can negatively affect the business.

In conclusion, hosting is not a hidden cost or something unnecessary – every website must have it. The key question is not Do you pay for hosting?, but Do you know what you get for that money and do you have the freedom to decide on your website. The transparent offer clearly separates the costs of production, hosting and maintenance so that the client can make an informed decision.

4. Website maintenance – cost or investment?

Once the website is created, the job is not actually finished. Like any other digital system, the website requires regular maintenance to remain safe, fast and reliable. That's why many companies offer free website development they earn their earnings through the monthly maintenance service.

Maintaining most often includes updating WordPress, topics and plugins, making backups, monitoring the operation of the website, removing possible security problems, technical support and minor changes to the content. Depending on the package, maintenance may also include speed optimization, SEO support or help with adding new functionalities.

For many entrepreneurs, this is a very practical solution. Instead of taking care of the technical details themselves or asking for help when a problem arises, they have an expert or a team who cares that the website works without interruption. This saves time and reduces the risk of more serious problems that may arise from outdated software or security flaws.

On the other hand, it is important to know exactly what is included in the maintenance price. Not all packages are equal. While some include only basic updates and backup, others include unlimited technical support, regular content changes, security monitoring, and additional services. It is therefore not enough to compare only the monthly price – it is also necessary to compare the scope of the service you receive for this price. With us, the price of standard maintenance is completely transparent and is shown here.

Also, it is worth checking if you are obliged to use the maintenance service precisely with the company that created the website or you can entrust maintenance later to someone else. If the website is created on standard platforms such as WordPress, in most cases maintenance can be taken by any professional person or agency. With proprietary systems, this is often not possible.

The maintenance of the website should not be seen as an unnecessary cost, but as an investment in the security and stability of your business. However, before agreeing it is good to know what maintenance covers, how much it costs and whether you have the freedom to choose who will perform it in the future. A transparent offer should clearly answer all these questions and allow you to make an informed decision.

5. SEO and digital marketing – the most common extension after website creation

Many companies that offer free website creation use site creation as a first step in creating a long-term business relationship with the client. Once a website is created and placed on the Internet, it is often followed by the offer of additional services such as SEO optimization, Google advertising, managing social networks and creating marketing content.

The reason for this is simple – the website itself, no matter how high-quality it is, does not guarantee that potential customers will find it. In order for the website to achieve its purpose, it is necessary to attract visitors and allow them to find the products or services you offer.

SEO and AI Optimization, i.e. optimization for search engines and artificial intelligence, includes a series of activities that improve the visibility of a website on search engines such as Google. This includes keyword analysis, content optimization, technical page optimization, improving upload speed, creating quality texts, and other activities that can improve the website's position in search results in the long run.

In addition to SEO, they are often offered and paid forms of advertising like the Google Ads Campaign or social media advertising. Unlike SEO, where results usually come gradually, paid advertising can instantly bring visitors to the website. However, Campaigns require continuous management and extra ad budget.

Such a business model is not uncommon or necessarily negative. The company that created the website already knows the project, the client's business and the technical basis of the site, so it can offer quality additional marketing services. For many entrepreneurs who do not have their own knowledge or time for digital marketing, this can be a practical solution.

Still, it is important to distinguish between real professional service and promise That sounds too good. For example, no one can responsibly guarantee first place on Google for all keywords because search results are influenced by a number of factors: Competition, content quality, domain authority, technical status of the site, and changes to Google's algorithms.

Before you contract an SEO service, it is important to clearly understand what it includes and what activities will be carried out from month to month. Check whether you will receive regular reports on the work done and the results achieved. whether advertising costs are included in the price; or charged separately. Also, ask yourself who will be the account holder for Google Ads, Google Analytics and Google Search Console This is important for long-term control of your digital marketing. Finally, make sure that you can hire another SEO expert or agency without restriction in the future if needed.

7. Standardised website development – price advantage, but with some limitations

One of the reasons why some companies can offer “free website creation” is the use of standardized processes and pre-prepared solutions. Instead of creating each website completely from the beginning, ready-made templates, defined design elements and already existing technical structures are used.

This way of working allows faster workmanship and reduces costs. If one company has developed a particular system, Design or template that can be adapted to multiple users, the time taken to create a new site may be significantly shorter than for a completely individual project.

Before opting for a standardised solution, it is important to assess whether it fits your current and future needs. For small entrepreneurs, craftsmen and users who need a simple presentation website with several subpages, basic business information, contact details, gallery and modern design, this approach can be a very high quality and affordable solution.

However, standardized solutions often come with certain limitations. Design customization options may be less, the choice of functionality limited, and the website itself may depend on the system used by the service provider. This can make it difficult to adapt to specific business processes and limit the possibilities for later development.

For example, a company that only needs a basic presentation page in two years may want to add a webshop, online booking system, connection to internal business systems, or advanced marketing functionalities. If a website is created on a closed or restricted platform, such upgrades can be significantly more complex or costly than expected.

Therefore, before accepting the offer, it is advisable to check which customization options are available, whether there are limitations to the system on which the page will be created, whether the website can be easily expanded in the future, and whether you will have access to all its elements. Also, it is important to find out if there is a possibility to migrate to another system or other hosting provider if your needs change over time.

Standardized production in itself is not a disadvantage. Large global platforms and many professional agencies also use templates and ready-made components to increase efficiency. The key question is not whether a template is used, but whether such a solution meets the real needs of your business;.

A transparent offer should clearly explain what you are getting, what are the limitations and options for future development. The best website is not necessarily the one that is the most expensive or completely created from the beginning, but the one that is technically quality and adapted to the business goals.

Conclusion – Is the creation of a website free of charge what appears at first sight?

Offers like “free website creation” they can look very attractive, especially for small businesses, craftsmen and all those who are just starting a business and want to reduce initial costs. However, it is important to understand that in the business world there is rarely anything that is completely free. Most often, it is a different billing model in which the cost of production is distributed through monthly subscriptions, hosting, maintenance, additional functionalities or marketing services.

This does not mean that such offers are bad or unfair. On the contrary, for certain users they can be a very practical solution. Someone who does not have technical knowledge, does not want to engage in site maintenance and wants to have a predictable monthly cost can greatly benefit from such a model. It is only important that the user knows in advance what he receives and what his obligations are.

The most important thing is not just to look at the starting price, but Total value and long-term cost. The website is not a disposable product that is made and forgotten. It is a digital tool that requires hosting, security, maintenance, customization and occasional development. That is why it is necessary to understand the whole model – from website ownership and domain ownership, through hosting and maintenance costs, to the possibility of future expansion.

The best choice is not always the cheapest offer nor the one with the highest starting price. The best choice is the one where there is a clear relationship between price, quality, ownership and development opportunities;.

A transparent service provider will not hide the way it generates revenue. It will clearly explain what is included in the offer, how much additional services cost and what happens if the user decides to change provider one day. It is this transparency that distinguishes quality business cooperation from an offer based only on an attractive initial message.

Before making a decision, it is therefore not necessary to ask only:

“How much does it cost to create a website?”

but also:

“How much will this website really cost me over time and will it suit the needs of my business?”

A well-informed user makes it easier to make the right decision, and a quality service provider will always support such an approach because long-term trust is worth more than short-term sales.

If you have any questions with this topic, feel free to contact us!!