So you’ve decided you need a website…
The first question is – why do you one?
The next question is, what do you expect from having a website?
Have you done your marketing research to determine that a website is a cost effective method of marketing your company?
Once your website is built, how will you market it AND who will you get to build it for you?
Should you try to do it yourself, get a friend to do it or go to a professional?
Here are some tips to help you choose:
1. D.I.Y Websites
This is the least expensive option, however, least expensive does not always equal most cost effective. If your website is just a ‘fun family blog’ type thing – go ahead have a go. If it is part of your business marketing strategy – think again!
Consider – if you think you can effectively build your business website, do you also – film and produce your own TV ads, fix your own cars and trucks, do all your own accounting, paint your own offices etc? If you do all those things, when do actually get time to work ON your business and just when is it right to bring in the professionals?
Okay, so you do have some spare time…
Do you understand these terms: HTML, PHP, Googlebots, FTP, SEO, Applet, CGI, CDF, CSS, dpi, kerning, marquee, DHTML, XHTML, SOAP, W3C – all web programming terms.
This stuff (below) is some of the real fun stuff you get to build your site with:
function hs(el) {if (window.RegExp && window.encodeURIComponent) {var ue=el.href;var qe=encodeURICom ponent(document.f.q.value);if(ue.index Of(“q=”)!=-1){el.href=ue.replace (new RegExp(“q=[^&$]*”),”q=”+q e);}else{el.href =ue+”&q=”+qe;}}return 1;}//
…and you thought web designers just pushed around pretty pictures?
If you are not sure, consult a pro. You may only have to go back later and hire one to do it over again.
2. Get a friend to do it for you
So everyone has a ‘friend’ who can build websites… That’s great. But a word of caution – make sure your friend has the expertise and the experience to do the job right.
Do you consult other ‘friends’ to get your teeth fixed? They may not be a professional dentist but have done a bit of this and that… or how about a getting a friend to build your home extension? This one is a dentist and managed to throw down a concrete slab and pop a shed on it!
If you are about to market your business 24/7/365 to 4.57 billion internet users in the world (or just a mere 86% of the Aussie population), this is not a potential market to be sniffed at!
3. Hire a professional web development firm
Firstly – do some research.
- Look at their portfolio of past work or request it.
- Find out who else they’ve worked with and what their experience has been like.
- Meet with them and make sure they have the credentials to know what they’re doing and the communication skills to be able to work together with you to achieve your goals..
- Also, ensure that they include an SEO service.
Get a website that works!
