GetOnWeb
"Get your website with no upfront cost" sounds almost too good to be true. For a small business watching its cash flow, though, a website with no upfront cost can be a genuinely sensible choice. The question isn't whether there's a catch - every business has to make money somehow - but whether the deal is fair. Here's how these offers work and what to check.
How no-upfront-cost websites make money
If you're not paying at the start, you're paying over time. Most offers work in one of three ways:
- A monthly subscription - you pay a fixed fee for as long as you keep the site
- A fixed-term contract - often 12 to 24 months, sometimes with a higher monthly fee
- Upsells - the basic site is free, but features like extra pages, email or changes are charged
None of these is wrong. Problems only start when the terms aren't clear before you sign.
The catches to look out for
Long minimum contracts
A low monthly fee locked into a two-year contract can add up to more than a one-off build. If your business changes or the service disappoints, you're still paying. Look for no contract, or a short one.
Exit fees and "buy-out" charges
Some providers charge a fee to cancel, or ask you to "buy" the site if you want to leave. Ask what leaving costs before you join.
A domain you don't own
This is the big one. If the provider registers your domain in their own name, leaving may mean losing your web address - and the Google rankings and printed materials that go with it. Your domain should be registered to you.
Extras that aren't really extras
Hosting, an SSL certificate, a contact form and basic changes are essentials, not add-ons. If they're charged separately, the "free" setup isn't free.
Quick test: ask "What's the total I'll pay in the first 12 months, and what does it cost to leave?" A fair provider gives you two simple numbers.
When no upfront cost makes sense
A no-deposit website is a good fit if you:
- Are starting out or want to keep cash in the business
- Don't want to manage hosting, updates or security yourself
- Expect to need regular small changes
- Prefer a predictable monthly cost to occasional big bills
If you'd rather pay once and handle everything yourself, a one-off build may suit you better. We compare the two in paying monthly vs buying outright.
No setup fee. No contract. Your domain.
We design, write and run your website for £39.99/mo, and you can cancel anytime.
See what's included →How to choose a fair deal
Line up two or three offers and compare them on the same points: monthly price, what's included, contract length, exit costs and domain ownership. The cheapest monthly fee isn't always the cheapest deal once a contract and extras are added. For more on what drives website prices, see how pay monthly websites work and what cheap website design really gets you.
A website with no upfront cost is not a trick - it's a different way of paying. Choose one with clear terms and an easy way out, and it can be the simplest way to get your business online.