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The
Website Dilemma
These
days a website is a must for small business professionals,
but often they don't know where to turn to get started.
The options can be dizzying.
The
biggest mistake I think the small business professionals
make is not thinking beyond the point of getting the
website up. Websites should not be static--they need
constant updating to serve their purpose. With that
in mind, there are three options for the small business
owner:
1.
Do it yourself from scratch.
2. Do it yourself with a template.
3. Hire someone.
Do
it Yourself from Scratch
This
is a viable and cost saving approach and many people
do it. Be prepared to learn HTML, a web editor (e.g.,
Dreamweaver, Front Page), a web graphics program, and
something about graphics design. You don't want your
site to look unprofessional.
Do
it Yourself with a Template
Just
as there are ezine services that have ready-made templates
that produce HTML emails, you can create a website using
templates. You select an overall color scheme, upload
your logo, and then add the text.
I'm
familiar with two website template services: QuickBizSites
(www.quickbizsites.com) and Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com).
They range in price from $3-$20/month. I prefer QuickBizSites
because they have an HTML toggle option so I can get
down to the code level. In Go Daddy's favor, they have
excellent customer service. I just wish that I didn't
have to call them so often. Both services have their
limitations and frustrations, but they are a good option
for the semi-technical entrepreneur on a budget.
Hire
Someone
If
you're not up to the task of creating a website yourself
from scratch or with the help of templates, you'll need
to find a pro. It's a rare talent to be able to combine
the left brain skills of HTML and programming languages
with the right brain creativity of design. Word spreads
quickly of great developers/designers and sometimes
they don't get to the minor updates your site needs
as quickly as you'd like. Rates for having a website
created by a professional are all over the map; some
charge flat rates and others charge by the hour.
Summary
There
are pros and cons to each method of creating a website.
If you are a quick learner, technically and graphically
minded, and have lots of time, create one yourself.
If you have more money than time, hiring a developer/designer
may be the way to go. Maybe you're somewhere in between,
and if so, consider trying a template based site. Whatever
you do, make sure you have a website and that you keep
it updated.
(Note:
Of course the unmentioned fourth option is to work with
a virtual assistant on an ongoing basis to create your
HTML or template based web site for you.) |
