It is possible to create your own web page without spending a dime. If all you need is a personal site for yourself or to share with family and friends, there are many online services that will allow you to make a site for free. You won't have to pay for hosting, domain name registration, or design.

If you choose to create your own web page this way, note that there are some disadvantages. In exchange for free hosting, the company may require you to have other people's banner ads on your site, and you will have no control over whose ads they place there. Also, URLs can be long and confusing when you don't select them yourself.

It is not a good idea for businesses to use free services for e-commerce websites. They are easy to use; but they don't always look professional. Also, if you use their templates to design your site, you might not be able to move it to another host later on. Sometimes there are hidden fees for credit card transactions. The best way to avoid this is to ask upfront.

But if you want a simple, easy to use site, you can create your own web page using the free tools. It's also a great way to practice if you are new to web design. Make your own pages and share information with family and friends. Soon you will become an expert at creating web sites.

Many business people are tempted to save money in their web design or redesign project by hiring someone in the staff, a programmer friend or computer science student to do the job. Often, these are people with whom they have a friendly or family relationship. While you may be getting a cheaper deal, this may be the worst solution for your business, unless the person in question is a full-time professional web designer, and you are paying them their usual professional fees.

They may not have the tools, the experience or the knowledge to complete your project in a timely manner. Designing and programming are very distinct tasks that require very different skills. If your friend or acquaintance is that good, it is great. Make sure you ask to see a few samples of their work before committing to a decision.

If the individual you are considering hiring to design your web site has another occupation, and is a web designer on the side, who will help you when they are at school or at their real job? If your acquaintance or friend is a professional web designer, ask them about their availability to update, maintain or assist you in keeping the site up and running smoothly.
If you hire a friend or acquaintance to design or redesign your web site, make sure you are getting into a mutually beneficial relationship. Working with friends and relatives can be stressful, create problems and even build up resentment, especially if you are not paying them what they feel they are worth.

Finally, if your friend, employee or acquaintance is not a professional web designer, consider the pros and cons of saving a few hundred dollars now versus hiring a professional web designer or web development company. Even if it initially costs you more, it's likely to be the best way to save money in the long term. Remember that you are not spending, you are investing in your business and you need to keep productivity at the highest possible level.