At a glance
Quick summary
- Your Goals Are Your Guide: Before diving into budgeting, establish clear goals for your website. Do you want to showcase your shows, sell merchandise, or build a fan community? Maybe it’s a mix of all three! These goals will guide your budgeting decisions and help you focus your resources effectively.
- Starter vs. Pro Budgets: A stellar website doesn’t have to break the bank! Start with a domain from Google Domains and hosting from Cloudways – that’s all you need to pay for at the start! As you progress, you might want to invest in other resources, but remember, there are high-quality free tools available to help you achieve your goals.
- Beware of Hidden Costs: From website maintenance to marketing efforts, there are potential costs that can sneak up on you. Factor in these hidden expenses into your budget from the beginning to avoid surprises down the line. With careful planning and mindful spending, your fabulous future is just a website away!
Show-stopping Sites on a Shoestring Budget!
Ever dreamed of having a stellar website for your drag persona but got cold feet because of the cost? I totally get it. At first glance, website creation can seem like a pricey affair, right?
But here’s some good news: It doesn’t have to be!
I’m here to help you pull back the curtain on website budgets.
Together, we’ll explore how picking the right tools and doing a little planning can make building your online presence not just achievable, but surprisingly affordable!
Let’s dive in and start making those dreams a reality. 🌟
Defining Your Website Goals
Before we start budgeting for your website, let’s first get crystal clear on your goals.
Defining your goals isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. It will guide your budgeting decisions and help you focus your resources where they matter most. Plus, having clear objectives in mind makes the whole website-building journey more exciting and purposeful.
Ask yourself: What do I want to achieve with my site?
Maybe you want to promote your fabulous shows, or you’ve got some merch that’s begging to be showcased. Perhaps you’re all about building a glittering online community where fans can connect and share the love. Or hey, maybe it’s a mix of all three!
If you need a little inspiration, check out my post From Tipping to Booking: 19 Fabulous Features to Consider for Your Drag Website. It’s full of ideas to help you brainstorm what’s most important for your own site.
There’s a section in that post called Choosing Your ‘Marquee Three’. If you follow those steps, it’ll make identifying your goals very easy!
Starter Budget Breakdown
Now that you’ve got your goals in mind, let’s talk numbers:
To get started, you really only need to worry about paying for two things:
First, you’ll need a domain. This is your website’s address on the internet. I recommend Google Domains, where you can secure your domain for around $10-20 per year. Not too shabby, right?
Next up, hosting. This is essentially renting space on the internet for your website. I’m a huge fan of Cloudways, which offers plans from $11/month (at the time I write this post). I recommend you start at that price point, too! No need to pay for more when you’re just starting.
And the best part? Everything else at the beginning can be done for free! You read that right. Zero, nada, zilch! 🎈
There are plenty of free tools and resources out there that can help you build a knockout website without emptying your pockets.
In fact, if you’re just getting started, I recommend that you stick to this Starter Budget! There’s no need to invest lots of resources up front; you can always add things later.
Pro Budget Breakdown
You might be curious about how much it could eventually cost.
So, to give you an idea, I figured I’d share what I’m spending on courageandgrow.com as of the time I wrote this.
| Item | Cost | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | $46 | Per Month |
| Domain | $12 | Per Year |
| Divi Menus | $29 | Per Year |
| Divi (Premium Theme) | $249 | Lifetime |
| Divi Areas Pro | $49 | Lifetime |
Note! When you’re just starting, there’s no need to pay for anything but Domain and Hosting. There are high-quality, free tools that will help you achieve almost any goal.
Potential Hidden Costs to Know About
Now, let’s talk about something less glamorous but utterly important: potential hidden costs.
These are expenses that may not be obvious at first glance but can sneak up on you if you’re not prepared.
- Website Maintenance – Keeping your website running smoothly might require some upkeep. This could include software updates, regular backups, or fixing any unexpected bugs. Some of these costs can be mitigated with a bit of DIY spirit, but don’t forget to factor them in.
- Marketing – You’ve built your fabulous website, but how do you get people to visit? You might want to consider a small marketing budget for social media ads or search engine optimization (SEO) to help attract an audience.
- Learning Resources – Whether it’s a course on website design or a book on digital marketing, learning resources can add up. Remember to consider this, especially in your early days of website building.
- Time Investment – As they say, time is money. The time you spend creating and maintaining your website is a cost, even if it doesn’t directly come out of your pocket.
With careful planning and mindful spending, you can avoid being caught off guard.
Remember, building your drag website is an investment in your fabulous future, and every dime spent wisely brings you one step closer to that sparkling spotlight!
Your Budget-friendly Website Awaits!
And there we have it!
From setting clear goals, breaking down starter and pro budgets, to unveiling those sneaky hidden costs – we’ve strutted down the entire runway together. 💃
With a bit of planning, smart spending, and a whole lot of fabulousness, you’re now well-equipped to craft a stunning website that won’t break the bank.
It’s all about creating a platform that showcases your unique style and talent, aligns with your goals, and serves your vibrant community – all while staying within a budget that makes sense for you.
The spotlight is yours, and your audience is waiting. So, step into the limelight, and let’s start creating a website as unique and fabulous as you are!
Slay The Web 101: Enroll For ✨Free✨
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to getting started with creating your own site, check out my FREE (seriously, it’s free!) workshop, Slay The Web 101: The Building Blocks of Creating Your Own Drag Website!
In Slay 101, you’ll learn the essentials of creating your own simple, beautiful, and functional drag website with minimal technical know-how!
Click here to learn more and to enroll for free!
Others? Questions?
Any thoughts or questions? Anything with which you disagree? Anything I missed?
0 Comments