Turnkey Websites – An Online Marketer’s Heaven or Hell?

Turnkey websites have been around for years and just as long as they have, people have been debating about their pros and cons. Of course, both sides have equally good points, but is there a way that you can pick a turnkey website which will allow you to reap all of the benefits while avoiding the negatives? Let’s take a look at each side and see if we can answer that question.

What Is A Turnkey Website?

I know most of you will already know, but for those that don't, a turnkey website is one that is already pre-built. This website should be a completely operational and functioning site that comes with scripts, affiliate programs, pre-written content and images already built in. In essence, it is the fastest and easiest way to get a website up and running today. But is it the best?

Are Turnkey Websites an Online Marketers Heaven?

To answer that question, we must first take a look at who a turnkey website benefits the most. Of course, the most obvious answer is those who are just getting started on the Internet and may not have the time or skill set to set up and develop a website. It takes a lot of time and effort to learn how to properly develop a website on your own, and purchasing a turnkey website can eliminate that.

A turnkey site can also benefit the average entrepreneur that is just looking for a new way to communicate with their clients and branch out into the Internet. If this is their first foray into the online world and they are just looking to test the waters, a turnkey site might just be exactly what they're looking for due to the low time and monetary investments involved. This is especially true if their real area of expertise is marketing, promotions, sales or communications.

Besides just being a first, kind of experimental site, a turnkey website can be used for many other things including backlinks. For instance, let’s say you already have a site that’s up and running; one that you’ve had done professionally or done yourself. A turnkey website can be a great way to generate links back to your main website. Not only that, you will be sending customers directly to your main site from your turnkey site.

Are Turnkey Websites an Online Marketers Hell?

Now that we have taken a look at the positive side of turnkey websites – it's time to look at the negative.

When purchasing a turnkey website you should remember that just because it is advertised as being set up and ready to go, that doesn't mean you will get lots of traffic and income straight away – or even at all. You will still need to market your website in just the same way as you would if you had built it yourself.

As mentioned earlier, a turnkey website will already be pre-loaded with content and images. However, if the website is sold multiple times, this content will not be unique. In order to get the most out of your purchase you will need to edit the articles and images to make your website different from the rest.

Some turnkey website providers mislead first time buyers into thinking that they can make $1000's overnight just from purchasing a single website from them. Perhaps this is what has given turnkey websites a bad rep.

However, for those that are interested in turnkey websites, you can avoid the above pitfalls by searching for a reliable and trustworthy provider.

Things To Look Out For In A Turnkey Website Provider

1. Avoid vendors who sell unlimited copies of the same website. This will flood the market with your exact design and content. While a turnkey is meant to be patterned on a design, it is not meant to be parroted.
2. Look for providers that sell limited copies of each type of website. This will ensure that your unique vision and input on the site will be enough customization to make your site singular.
3. Avoid purchasing bulk turnkey websites. Some places will offer you a discount on 100 or more websites. These sites have been floating around the web for ages and are owned by hundreds of other people. Your website will get lost in a sea of sameness.
4. Look for a reputable seller who offers support. Make sure that there is some form of comprehensive support team, most preferably live and unlimited, that will be able to help you through any problems or questions you may have, especially if this is your first foray into the online world.
5. If you need web hosting, make sure your provider offers it. This is an even more “hands-off” benefit for those trying out experimental sites.
6. Look for a seller that will allow you to view and test functional turnkey sites that they provide. Most will offer a link to preview the website in advance. Play around with the site and see if it is aesthetically pleasing as well as has an ease of functionality. After all, this is what your customers will be seeing as the face of your business.

Have Turnkeys Gotten A Bad Rep?

In conclusion – are turnkey websites all they’re cracked up to be? Or is their time up in an online world where search engine rankings have come to recognize unique content as the key to being relevant?  

Let us know what you think!