| How do you decide what option to choose when | | | | - Create an unprofessional looking website |
| designing a website? | | | | - Create a website that is not search engine friendly |
| If you don't know the pros and cons of each option | | | | 3. Professional web designer |
| you could make a big mistake that will affect your | | | | Although a professional web designer costs you |
| long term business success. Often the easiest and | | | | money you have the satisfaction that you're getting |
| cheapest method is not the best one. It may work | | | | a design from a person or company that designs |
| well in the short term but you'll run into problems | | | | websites for a living. They live a breath website |
| later. | | | | design (and probably website marketing) every day. |
| Let's look at the pros and cons of three options for | | | | Pros |
| web site design: | | | | - Experienced professional |
| 1. Free template | | | | - Has extensive knowledge of current design |
| If you search Google you'll find hundreds of free | | | | technologies and how to use them effectively |
| templates available to you but how do you know if | | | | - Knows how to design a website that is search |
| these are any good. | | | | engine friendly |
| Pros | | | | - Knows how to design a website that is profitable |
| - Easy to build a website | | | | - Obtain a unique custom design that reflects your |
| - Inexpensive | | | | online business |
| - Easy to customize | | | | - Receive ongoing technical support |
| - Freely accessible | | | | - Design flexibility: easy to make design changes in |
| Cons | | | | the future |
| - Contains proprietary or bloated code | | | | - Takes care of website maintenance so client can |
| - Code errors ie html/xhtml code doesn't validate | | | | focus on attending customers and building the |
| - Must not remove links to template owner's website | | | | business. |
| - Doesn't present unique image for your business | | | | Cons |
| - Template may look the same as 100s of others | | | | - Initial design costs can be expensive |
| sites | | | | - Takes time to build a professional website the client |
| 2. Do it yourself | | | | is happy with |
| The do-it-yourself kind of person likes to learn, get | | | | - Ongoing maintenance costs if you don't maintain it |
| their hands dirty and makes time to do the work | | | | yourself |
| themselves. | | | | - If the designer disappears or closes down you'll |
| Pros | | | | need to find alternative solutions |
| - Build a customized website | | | | My recommendation |
| - Learn how to code html/xhtml, css, javascript or | | | | - If you don't need a unique design or simply want a |
| learn how to use html software ie Dreamweaver | | | | blog to add content to...get a free template or use |
| - Easily update, modify and/or maintain the website | | | | WordPress dot com to get a free blog. |
| yourself | | | | - If you can afford the time and money to learn the |
| - Save money | | | | skills needed to build a professional website select the |
| - Attain skills that can be used for future projects | | | | do-it-yourself option. |
| Cons | | | | - If you're looking for a unique design that you'll be |
| - You're not a professional web designer who has | | | | happy with and want a person who knows all the |
| many years of experience | | | | intricacies of designing and marketing websites, hire a |
| - Learning curve: it can take weeks or months to | | | | professional web designer. You'll be glad you did. |
| learn how to code or master html software | | | | |