- What are my options if I have decided that my
business would benefit from a Web presence?
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Design the site
yourself.
This is the most widely popular option. There are a lot of Web authoring tools available
that will allow even the most inexperienced individual to develop a sophisticated layout
for their Web presence. While this option is extremely popular, it is also the easiest way
to shoot yourself in the foot. If you are going to be designing the site yourself then it
is vital that you do the proper research before beginning the project. Spend some time
surfing the Web and bookmarking the sites you visit that are impressive and professional.
Study them to determine why they impressed you and try
to use similar techniques to develop your own Web presence. Get to know your on-line
competition. When you're designing the site, ask friends and colleagues for their comments
and suggestions so that you are able to gain a more objective view of your work. Have an employee or a
friend design the site.
If you have an employee or a friend that has offered to design your organization's Web
presence, there are several things you should do before giving them the green signal.
Firstly, make sure that this good Samaritan has some experience with HTML layout and is
skilled in graphics design. After reviewing the pages that they have published on the Web
and finding them to be impressive and aesthetically pleasing, you can be sure that they
will serve your organization well. Do not be afraid to say "No
Thanks" if the person's work is not up to your standards of
excellence. Secondly, make sure that the individual can write professional and eloquent
copy and most important SPELL CHECK. "Frank's French Cafe offers great food and
good prices and we're located on Main St. in Phoenix" is NOT good copy.
Hire a
professional Web site design service. ( If your company qualifies as a PremiereWebsite
Designer click here.)
Hiring a professional site design service is the least popular and most potentially
beneficial means of going about the task of establishing your Web presence - provided that
you spend some time doing research. The first thing to do is to find a list of all
qualified Web site services in your area. Many such lists exist and your ISP (Internet
Service Provider) may maintain one as a service to their customers or you may CLICK HERE. Bookmark each list that you
find and visit the services that are listed, bookmarking the services whose main
page and copy that impresses you. When you're finished compiling your "quick list", visit each of the services contained
within to learn more about their rates and to view some sites that they have designed for
their clients. If you can't narrow your choice down to one service, contact each via phone
or email and ask them why they feel you should give them their business. Since choosing
the service that will design your Web presence is the most important decision to make, set
aside an afternoon (or evening) for this endeavor. If you cannot find a local service that
is capable of producing the quality that you desire then feel free to shop elsewhere; In
many cases it is possible to mail photos, storyboards and layout concepts to an out of
state designer and get great results. Be prepared to take advantage of the digital files
that can be sent via the Internet anywhere in the world. The better
designers will provide a "test site" URL where you can view your presence while
it is being built, allowing you to monitor the progress and report any changes that you
desire. |
- Should I attempt to design my own Web presence?
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You should only attempt to design your own Web presence if you
are confident that you can develop an attractive and effective site that will truly
benefit your business, or if you do not currently have the funds to hire a professional
design service. Remember there are several items that must be covered. Copy, Graphics,
Scripting, Logos, and Photos. |
- Should I hire a professional Web site
design service?
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You should hire a professional Web site design service when it
is important that your site look professional and is easily navigated, and if you have
the budget to afford this additional marketing investment. Experienced Web designers
are familiar with the techniques to use and the pitfalls to avoid when establishing a
successful Web presence; They also know how to ensure that your site gets the proper
attention and traffic. The premiere Web designers are
effective at using images, colors, copy and layout to present your organization well
enough to ensure that your Web presence becomes a routine "pit stop" for many
potential and existing customers. |
