Jonathan Mohr

How to build a website for less than $100

Actually, it cost me a grand total of $65 (give or take a few cents) to build this site. Granted, it’s not the most fantastic site on the World Wide Web, but it isn’t bad for a country boy with no background in web design.

The bottom line is this: if you want your own website, you can have it. I reserved the URL jonathanmohr.com for two years at a total cost of $15 (thank you GoDaddy.com), and 400MB of server space and 10GB of bandwidth for one year for $50 at A Small Orange. WordPress.org has all the free software you need to get started building the site.

I’m not going to lie: as I mentioned in a previous post, I did have assistance from Adam Roach, a freelance web designer. He did the technical work that I didn’t know how to do. On the other hand, WordPress.org works with several hosting site to make all the technical stuff as simple as possible, so someone who knows their way around a computer and has a little patience could probably figure it out. And WordPress can do more than just help you build a blog: their blogging software, combined with the loads of free software, themes, and other goodies available online, can help you build any type of site you need. Well, just about any.

A website is obviously an invaluable resource for churches and businesses of all sizes. (What a revelation, huh?) When people my age (I’m 31) decide to attend a new church or use a new product or service, the first place they usually go is to the web to find more information. In the past, having your own website could be a costly, time consuming proposition that took loads of technical expertise. That is rapidly changing, and as a result, churches, businesses and organizations of all sizes can have their own online presence.

I make no claims to being a web expert, and would recommend that, if possible, you find someone who is and is willing to give you a hand. That can save you a whole lot of headaches. I’m still stumbling around, but I am learning a little as I go. And to borrow a line from former UPCI Home Missions Director Jack Cunningham, “If I can do it, anybody can.”