Once you understand the nature of your target audience and
what you need to present to them,
your next step is to consider your website design alternatives.
2. How do I get my website
created?
Basically, you have three alternatives. First, you or one of your
employees can do it. Second, you can pay an internet service provider
(ISP) to do it. Third, you can hire an independent website designer to do
it for you. Let's examine these alternatives in some detail:
- You or one of your employees can do
it. There are several software packages that are
excellent at making website design and creation easier. In addition,
virtually every major word processor and presentation program has the capability
of saving material in the HTML (HyperText Markup
Language) format. Unfortunately, the
capabilities claimed usually exceed that which is experienced. : Make no
mistake ... in the hands of an accomplished user, these applications can do an
excellent job in many respects. However, they each have shortcomings that
can leave you without an optimal website solution. There is much more to
creating a professional website than merely filling in stock layouts or
converting a text or word processor document to the HTML format.
Will these applications create stunning graphics for you? Probably
not. Will they design forms so your customers can order your product and
provide you feedback? Unlikely. Can they teach you good website
design techniques? No.
This alternative puts the greatest burden on you or your company to develop
additional "in-house" expertise to support the creation and
maintenance of your website. Much like you would use a professional
printing service to satisfy your printing needs, you should leave website
design to trained professionals.
- You can pay your ISP to do
it. Most ISPs offer website design services too. You
can easily hire your ISP or hosting service create your website. However,
there are two potential disadvangates to this approach. First, website
hosting services tend to be very expensive website designers, charging fees
that are often at least double those of independent designers. Second,
the primary business of internet providers and hosting services is not website
design. You will not likely receive from them the same personal attention
that an independent designer will provide at a much lower cost.
- You can hire an independent website
designer. An independent website design service should provide
you with the programming, graphic art, and website design experience required
to create a highly professional and customized website at a reasonable
cost. You will not need to concern yourself with training your employees
or waiting in a queue to be served by a large ISP.
If you have a limited budget or are intrigued with the appeal of a
"do-it-yourself" approach, then you are likely to try to design and
create your website "in-house." Be cautioned that this approach
often leads to the ultimate selection of one of the other two alternatives ...
at a cost to you of a delayed website presence for your
company. Furthermore, you will generally find it advantageous to
out-source your website design services much as you might out-source your
professional printing requirements.
If you want a professionally developed site with the advantage of personal
attention and custom support for the least cost, then you will get the most
value for your money if you choose an independent website
designer. If your designer provides website hosting services, so much the
better as this assures complete integration of your design and hosting
services.
If you should choose to hire website design services, then review
"How to Proceed."
Regardless of which alternative you choose, you must ultimately determine
where your website will reside.
Return to "Getting Started"
