Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Developing Your Website: 10 Tips for Getting Started

1. Be clear on your purpose . Building a website can be a long and arduous procedure if you are not sure what you are doing. However, if you have a clear focus as to what you expect your website to do for your business/organization, things will...

Free Website Templates - Top 10 Things You Need to Know
When building your website you might not have a large budget to devote to website design or a designer, so the best option for you might simply be to use free website templates. However, consider the following benefits as well as drawbacks before...

Starting Your own Website (c) Cheryl A. Crossan 2002.
Starting Your Own Website by Cheryl A. Crossan. Everyday thousands of new people are looking for online business opportunities. When they first start, one of the most common mistakes they make is signing up for every opportunity that they find...

Website Template usage, beyond what you already know.
When it comes to search engine ranking "cute won't cut it". While search engines can generate a mind staggering volume of traffic what they feed off specifically is content. Search engines utilize software known as crawlers or spiders. Unfortunately...

Why Dot-Coms Fail - a Webmaster's Perspective
Why Dot-Coms Fail - a Webmaster's Perspective ----------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright 2002, Daniel Bazac Everyday we hear that another company goes out of business. When and why does a dot-com become a dot-bomb? ...

 
The Straight Truth about Web Site Building Tools

Most business owners today know that having a web site is an essential component of marketing. In the past, the choices were to hire a professional web designer, hire a local teenager to create a site for mall money, or learn to do it yourself. Often the last two options, which were the least expensive, were how small businesses had to go. The results are often not what businesses need to grow, reach, and impress new potential customers.

In the last few years, the options for small businesses to get a site developed have changed dramatically. There are now sophisticated “site builder” tools available to small business owners, bundled with many web hosting packages. By using templates, and a content management system to manage updates to the site, it became easier to set up and maintain a web site, and many development companies have canned this functionality, for a fee. Hosting providers are increasingly offering tools to automate the web site building process, and with good reason. This new option has many benefits, as long as the business owner recognizes that there are trade offs and limitations to getting a web site this way.

One of the biggest attractions for site building tools is the cost. It won’t necessarily cost less to get your site this way, but it does provide a way to spread the cost over time. It still costs money - for example, you can pay $50 per month for the next two years, or $1,200. But this cost very often includes hosting, and a domain name, along with a lot of features which would cost more individually, so it really can save money. For a small business wanting ecommerce, it can be even more attractive because to have a custom built, full featured e-commerce site can easily cost thousands of dollars.

For the “do it yourselfer,” site building tools are a boon because they make web site building seem so easy – just click here, enter that, and voila – you have a web site. At least, that is the perception! Of course, professional web designers know there are a few more things to know, but we do find some irony in the fact that web developers, in their quest to improve and better the web, have made themselves optional. Most site building tools today are very robust, making it simple to add forms, searching, maps, guest books, calendars, and a whole variety of elements to a web site. Even better, the hosting company sometimes offers an entire suite of services – the site builder, email marketing, search engine optimization and statistics, all in one package along with the hosting.

So, why would anyone hire a professional? First, the site building tools, though increasingly robust, often lack in design and layout flexibility. For example, they might depend on a standard layout that has a banner across the top, menu down the side. If you want to have your navigation across the top and perhaps a sub banner under it, you might not have that option. Many businesses have already outgrown their first or second site, and want something customized to their business. Since all site builders differ, it is possible that you could want features and functionality within your site which is not available within the system. Still, some site builders support development languages like PHP, making it possible to customize the site with the help of a programmer. Some site builders include ecommerce, but they do not all do it the same way. A few utilize PayPal™ – but not credit cards. Some use


a particular credit card processing service and won’t accommodate anything else. The bottom line is that it is important to look at sites that were built using the tool you’re considering and research all of the features that are included; to be sure that everything you want to do is possible.

There is also a possibility that the service will require you to keep some branding on the site telling people that you used their tool. This is more common with the free site builders – which pay for themselves by putting ads on your site. If your goal is to build a business web site, it’s really not worth sacrificing your professional image by getting something free, which screams CHEAP.

The biggest downfall to using a site builder and doing it yourself is that it really isn’t quite as easy as they say it is, to do it right. A tool can make things happen – but if you don’t know what to make happen, it is either a useless tool or a dangerous one. There is a learning curve to knowing how to present information online, as well as for using the site builder. In other word, the fuller featured the tool; the more there is to learn. If you aren’t familiar with color theory, use of typography, information architecture, layout and design, you can potentially make something that will hurt your business more than help it. So, unless you are already computer and web savvy, figuring out all the features within your web hosting and site builder package can be time consuming and frustrating.

Fortunately, there are ways that a small business can take advantage of these new options and still create a functional and professional web site. One way is simply to take the time to research the available tools, and find the one that has the most features and flexibility, meeting your functional requirements. The internet is a massive library of “how to” information, where you can literally teach yourself anything – and with enough time spent, you could potentially learn how to layout information, what colors and fonts work well together, how to conduct your marketing online and optimize the site for search engines. Another approach would be to hire a professional designer simply to get you “off the ground” by handling the administrative set up of your new site package, creating the look of the site and developing the initial structure. That person could also teach you how to manage the content and make changes yourself going forward. This middle ground approach ensures that your site benefits your business and puts a good image forward, while taking advantage of the “pay as you go” budgeting and easy content management features of a site builder.

The first step for a small business owner thinking about having a web site needs to be an honest assessment of how much time, money, talent, patience and computer savvy he or she has, with a clear understanding of the available options. Once this is determined, any small business which needs to be online can be.

###

© Eileen Parzek, SOHO It Goes! 2003

About the Author

Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek is a veteran web designer and an online marketing & communications consultant who has been working from home and virtually since 1995. Her first business, Turtle's Web, was responsible for approximately 250 web projects. Her current business, SOHO It Goes! (www.soho-it-goes.com) functions as an online marketing department for small businesses and organizations.


 

Web Development
This web summarizes the complete life cycle methodology for web development: planning, analysis, design, implementation, promotion, and innovation.
www.december.com
 
Web Development
Professional Web site design, graphic design, and Internet development services.
webdevelopment.com
 
Web Developer's Virtual Library: Web Development Tutorials and ...
News, tutorials, and reference material focusing on technical web development topics.
www.wdvl.com
 
Open Source Web Development Tutorials - Dev Shed
Open Source web development tutorials, forums, and tools. Topics covered include PHP, Apache, mySQL, Zope, Roxen, Jserv, Zend, XML, DHTML, and Javascript.
www.devshed.com
 
WebDeveloper.com
Hello all, I am new to web development. I have an understanding of website development, but no scripting experience. I have heard of JavaScript, PHP, ...
www.webdeveloper.com
 
LevelTen Web Design | Professional Website, Flash & Graphic ...
Offers logos, web sites, multimedia presentations, and custom media. Quote form. Based in Dallas, Texas. [Requires Flash]
www.leveltendesign.com
 
Web development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For larger businesses and organizations, Web development teams can consist of ... Since the mid-1990's, Web development has been one of the fastest growing ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Web Design - HTML XML - Web Development - Web Site Design
Web Design and HTML are all about creating a great Web site. Use Web development and Web site design to build Web sites that customers return to over and ...
webdesign.about.com
 
Agile Web Development with Rails—Second Edition
Dave Thomas, Mike Clark, David Heinemeier Hansson, Leon Breedt, Thomas Fuchs, Andrea Schwarz; Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2006, ISBN 0977616630.
www.pragmaticprogrammer.com
 
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - Welcome to CYGAD’s WebDevelopment! - The ...
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - The finest Resources for WEB-Design, WEB-Master and WEB-Developer!
www.webdev.cygad.net
 
Web Development Bookmarklets
Includes tools for viewing and testing CSS styles, viewing scripts and variables, and showing the structure of a document.
www.squarefree.com
 
SGI - Freeware - Web Development
Links to freeware web development tools, browsers, software, etc.
www.sgi.com
 
Webmonkey: The Web Developer's Resource
Resources for web site developers including how-to guides, code libararies, server technologies and authoring resources.
www.webmonkey.com
 
Web Development Tools - Web Developer's Journal
Tips on Web page design and development, HTML, graphics, scripting, favicon, development tools, Java, sql basics, building web sites, and much more for ...
www.webdevelopersjournal.com
 
Web Developer's Handbook | CSS, Web Development, Color Tools, SEO ...
Web Developer's Handbook is a list of essential web-sites, which make the life of web developers easier. Compiled and updated by Vitaly Friedman.
www.alvit.de
 
Ceonex Web Development & Web Design - Full Service Digital ...
Web design, web development, online branding, application development and other full service business solutions focused on prospect conversion and customer ...
www.ceonex.com
 
Cayenne Web Development - web design agency, Oxfordshire, UK
Specialist web design agency based nr Banbury, Oxfordshire, offering a complete website design and development service.
www.cayenne.co.uk
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
When I visit a website, especially if it’s the site of a competitor or a prospective client, I like viewing…
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
Articles and news on web standards, accessibility, usability, and other things related to web development and web design.
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Anil Dash: Web Development Trends for 2006
Here, then, is a random assortment of new web development trends to be ready ... Web Development trends 2006: Überblogger Anil Dash maakte (een paar weken ...
www.dashes.com
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 helpful tips to follow when switching web hosts

  • 10 shocking secrets nobody will ever tell you about having a successful business web site

  • 10 things you should be monitoring on your website

  • 10 tips for better web site usability and profits

  • 12 essential web site design tips

  • 12 tips for creating an artist website that sells

  • 13 ways to destroy your website

  • 15 website elements that attract visitors

  • about web applications

  • adding flash 4 to your website

  • add graphics to your website without losing your mind

  • aesthetics and web marketing

  • are web graphics stealing your money

  • asp web hosting

  • attract buyers to your web sitewith power words

  • a custom icon for your web site

  • a webmasters toolkit and tricks

  • a website design checklist

  • a web site to have or have not

  • bad web design activex

  • basics of web design principles

  • beginner guide to web hosting

  • beyond web usability web credibility

  • bring to life your ideal web pages

  • building an effective furniture sales web site

  • building a successful web site what not to do

  • building the website of your dreams not your nightmares

  • building websites using web templates

  • building web sites using web templates

  • building your own web site here are two critical points to consider

  • business benefits of the web standards

  • business web site content strategy

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building all in one package nightmares

  • can they use your website in a tv broadcast about scams

  • can your web site win the tour de france

  • cheap website design dangers of cheap web design for your business

  • cheap web design

  • checklist for a successful web site design

  • choosing the right website designer

  • choosing the right web site designer

  • choosing your web design

  • cookies how to improve your website and learn from your visitors

  • create and deploy a website from start to finish

  • creating your first web site part 2

  • creating your own website for free

  • creative offline website marketing techniques

  • custom web site design strategies

  • designing a successful web site

  • designing professional web pages

  • designing your web site for all browsers

  • determine your popularity on the web

  • developing and optimizing your website let flash help you

  • developing an effective physical therapy web site

  • developing your website 10 tips for getting started

  • developing your winning web site strategy

  • dirty web promotion tricks 1 legitimate and malicious javascripts

  • do not drop your web site off the search engine cliff

  • do you really need a website

  • do you really need a web site

  • easy steps to website development and promotion

  • ecommerce web design solutions

  • effective web design

  • eliciting constructive website feedback

  • empower web clients increase your profits

  • find a hidden fortune in your website stats

  • first rate tools for your web authoring

  • five core elements to a successful website

  • five pieces of information you must include on your website to generate sales

  • flash deadly sins that can kill your web business

  • focus your web site or get out of business

  • forums should you have them on your website

  • four easy steps to establishing a website

  • free website templates top 10 things you need to know

  • getting professional website a cheap and easy way

  • getting your own web site quickly and cheaply

  • get it all with good web content

  • get your web site noticed

  • good web design the importance of navigation

  • good web design what is it

  • graphics for the web gif format

  • graphics for the web plug ins

  • hiring a custom website designer

  • how a custom designed website can help your business

  • how do we know when its time to redesign our web site

  • how much does a website cost

  • how not to be ripped off by your website designer

  • how to build a website

  • how to build your own website more steps

  • how to choose a website designer

  • how to choose a website design company

  • how to choose a web site designer

  • how to create a professional website in less than a week

  • how to create a website in less than a week

  • how to design and setup a website

  • how to find good web hosting

  • how to get more hits on your website

  • how to hire the right web design firm

  • how to keep your visitors 10 times longer on your web site

  • how to make your website a big hit

  • how to prepare images for your web site part 1

  • how to prepare your project before you order website design

  • how to save money on a website

  • how to set up a professional website on your own using web templates

  • how to set up your own website

  • how to shop for a web design firm

  • how web design can affect search engine rankings

  • html tips easy ways to make your website sizzle

  • if its done its done for make your website part of your business before you build

  • if you build it they will come not without web marketing

  • increase sales with easy to read web pages

  • increase the efficiency of your web design business

  • independent consultants take over web design

  • index

  • initial factors of web page construction

  • interactive content blogs forums and feedback what does your web site need

  • in search of webhosting first understand the industry

  • is there benefit to green in web design

  • is your site too slow why image optimization is critical when you create a web site

  • is your website legal

  • is your web site ready for its visitors

  • is your web site unfriendly parts 5 6 of 9

  • is your web site unfriendly part 2 of 9

  • learn from the masters of web design

  • make your artists website sell

  • make your website scream with excitement with java

  • make your web site super sticky

  • making better web graphics that grab your attention and load fast

  • making the business case for web standards

  • manchester united top of the web accessibility league

  • maximising web site viewability browsers

  • maximising web site viewability resolution

  • microsoft and webmasters

  • mini site or content based web site

  • mobile accessibility your website in the year 2005

  • my mother never had a website

  • my top ten list of extremely annoying web page design elements

  • new customizable javascript menu for web applications

  • new support for website and graphic design firms

  • now you have a web site have you ever heard of accessibility

  • optimal website design

  • optimized web page template

  • optimizing a website with flash

  • overview of web content management systems

  • part ii planning a website

  • pegasus infocorp pvt ltd offshore professional website design and software services provider based in india

  • pitfalls of web redesign

  • planning a web site

  • planning a winning website

  • plan your web site for profits

  • printing your website the right way

  • quality web site language

  • quick web site start up and promotion guide

  • rotator

  • search engine optimization and web site usability

  • sell your freelance web services to businesses that dont have a web site

  • should i make my own web site

  • should you bother learning html to build webpages

  • simple steps to finding a web designer

  • simplify your web site for clarity and ease of use

  • spice up your web site with javascript

  • starting your own website c cheryl a crossan 2002

  • steps of a project for a freelance web builder

  • switching web host

  • tapping into the visual stimulus of your web site visitors

  • templates website templates free website template newwebimage com

  • ten basic steps for building a web site that works

  • testing your web application a quick 10 step guide

  • the 4 deadly sins of business web design

  • the 8 most important website design principles

  • the core elements of a successful website

  • the critical importance of good web graphics to internet marketing profits

  • the future of web design what is dotnetnukee

  • the ideal web design firm

  • the importance of web standards

  • the need to have website design services

  • the newbies guide to small business web design

  • the new fa‡ade of web designs

  • the pros and cons of using templates for your business website

  • the straight truth about web site building tools

  • the topic of your website

  • the top 5 roadblocks to web accessibility

  • the top seven strategies for website success

  • the web site is not the end all of internet marketing strategy

  • this is why your website isnt making you any money

  • tips for choosing a web developer

  • top 10 ways for web designers to find new clients

  • top 10 ways websites makes me suffer

  • top mistakes first time web developers often make

  • top ten fonts for website design

  • top ten things to ask yourself about your website

  • translate your web site and expand your market

  • translating your web

  • user friendly website hints tips

  • user lab to host west midlands web accessibility workshop

  • use cgi to automate your web site

  • victoryvisions the php mysql company complete website development company

  • want a sticky website that sells forget content

  • weave your own web

  • webjunxsion is foraging its way through the muddle

  • webpage tips

  • website accessibility

  • website accessibility explained what you can do

  • website designing web site design new jersey newwebimage com

  • website design info part 1

  • website design info part 2

  • website design strategies for internet marketer

  • website design website development flash design services

  • website development become your own expert

  • website maintenance what does it take to manage your website

  • website template usage beyond what you already know

  • web accessibility and your business

  • web accessibility making your pages friendly to people with disabilities

  • web accessibility myths

  • web accessibility the basics

  • web analytics getting it right

  • web content case study

  • web content how much should i pay

  • web designers beware

  • web design 7 key things to avoid

  • web design for the no talent artist

  • web design integrating e commerce

  • web hosting shared or dedicated which should you choose

  • web hosting to switch or to stay

  • web page real estate 101

  • web site designing pillars part2

  • web site design focus focus focus

  • web site design things you should avoid

  • web site monitoring is a global necessity

  • web site must haves

  • web site optimization how to optimize pdf files for web sites

  • web site optimization how to speed up your web site by minimizing your gif and png image bit depth

  • web site start up and promotion guide for professionals

  • web source web design tips

  • web source web design tips adding an image background to your tables

  • web source web design tips cascading style sheets

  • web source web design tips close a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips creating an automatic drop down navigation menu

  • web source web design tips decreasing a websites load time

  • web source web design tips dont forget your meta tags

  • web source web design tips highlighting free for all links

  • web source web design tips how to make your background image stationary

  • web source web design tips open a new window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips open a web page in a new window

  • web source web design tips open a window on page load

  • web source web design tips reload a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips selecting the perfect background for your website

  • web source web design tips using an image to create a line

  • web source web design tips using meta tags for search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent browser cache

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to redirect

  • web standards part 1 what are web standards

  • whats really going on with your web site

  • what color is your website

  • what to avoid to make your website design effective

  • why a css website layout will make you money

  • why dot coms fail a webmasters perspective

  • why hire a professional to design your web site

  • why not to use web design templates

  • why resources added to a web site increase revenue

  • why use a web design template

  • why your business needs a website

  • why you need a web site

  • writing benefit driven web copy 4 steps to more sales

  • writing for the web four steps you cant ignore

  • www hosting web development empathise and create not bad p websites

  • your web site do it yourself or get serious

  • you too can have an amazing website