Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

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So, if  a site has bad metatags, multiple framesets, no heading tags, tons of tables, loads of font tags, uses keyword stuffing, has no sitemap, has non existent SEO, and has many other areas of deficiency as far as being done correctly, apparently it only takes a slight level of skill to fix it all, make it attractive, and actually make it beneficial to even have online .... but whatever works for you, I guess .....


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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

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Excellent analogy with LegalZoom, Paula...LOL!

I think that if people have the time and ability to learn how to write their own site, then it`s the best option for them (as long as its not too complicated)
If it is too complicated (e.g. a very large site, or one that involves complex services) or they lack either time or money they should consult a web designer
No, I don`t think it`s a commodity. The more professional your look is, the more impression you make. If that means you have to hire a web designer then its worth the while

Jmes



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My LookupPage

I don`t think web design is a commodity, just like I don`t think hiring a lawyer, CPA, or Shrink is.
First of all, I wouldn`t stand up in front of a judge to dispute a case, just because I used a web based or a home-lawyer CD I bought at Best Buy. I wouldn`t do my own TAXES because they are complicated and I wouldn`t consult a shrink just because I read about it on Web MD...

The problem with professionals these days is that "Just because they have some knowledge" they feel like they can tackle any obstacle thrown at them, including the web site end of it, No, it doesn`t make you an expert. "Not even Close"
Yes, hats off to all the professionals with a degree" but I`m assuming it wasn`t in web design.

I believe that if you`re real estate agent stick to what you know best... Sell Homes, if you`re a lawyer handle your cases, and if you`re a shrink... Keep showing me those funny pictures asking me "What do you see?"

I think more than ever web designers are going to be in demand.... As more customers are educating themselves on the internet, they are starting to see the difference between a half-A$$ Job and someone that took the time to get a real web site. Now you are being judged by colors, fonts, layout, presentation of products. You could be the sharpest tool in the shed, but if you`re customers don`t like your web site`s presentation... they are moving on...




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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Hello.

I`ve run across many template websites which provided the base design and structure for how a website is constructed.  Quite frankly, that`s how I started over 10 years ago.  Back then, I also used a code generator that imported HTML code and helped me to understand and customize the code and learn how to create websites.  Therefore, I used a number of avenues including templates to build upon.

Although I have my opinion about various website constructions for various reasons, I think for those just learning or those who can program the guts but lack the design gene, integrating templates to the code can be a good thing.

Template design has come a long way, too.  With Flash technology and other creative software capabilities as demonstrated on websites like Dream Template,  I can`t say that I wouldn`t use templates for a future project since I am a `guts` design-type person.


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i have found that a very effective website can be built and put up on the internet with not much spend.  the key is the "know how". if you (or your designer) knows what works well (how to design a nice, clean site that is easy on readers and engines, how to optimize it, etc) and implement it.  using the right KW and all goes without saying. so whether you pay $$$$$ or $$ the know how is what will get your site on the top and performing well (this assumes your website is user friendly and does not turn off your visitors for "business" or "aesthetic" reasons).

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I now charge anywhere from $7K to $35K for a website.  May take 1 to 3 months to build it, depending on size and complexity.  But it`s not just a website, that includes several databases and a lot of backend processing, and integration with their existing workflow.

 My clients are not small biz but big companies/organizations.  They want something customized, easy to use, and will work even when their site is hammered with thousand of visitors per day (and double that traffic if you want to count the hack attempts).

For small biz sites, I have to say that Joomla and other CMS, coupled with 3rd party mambots and components can make for a pretty impressive site. (Yeah, I use it on my own personal site.)  But I do find that you still have to be fairly technical to configure and setup everything to the way you really like it. It`s not something you can just give the ID and password to the client and say here you go...

Been doing this web development work for 10+ years now, working at home... wish I can show you my own company website... but it`s just a blank homepage with a logo and an info email address. :)  My company website has been that way for 10+ years too.  I get my web design corporate customers through referrals and word of mouth.

Notice I called my work web development, not website design.  "Beautiful" sites, artsy-fartsy sites is not for every business out there.  For some businesses, especially big corporate organizations, having a functional, working, intense database driven sites that can pull up information from various sources and present it to the user in a clear, logical manner is more important than glitzy, blingy, artful "web design."

Like all things in life I guess you get what you pay for. The world and his wife can dabble in photoshop and illustrator to produce a fairly passable image now, especially as the punters expectations are getting lower and lower, a bit like dumbing down on the television.

This means that it is possible to wow the crowd if you can be quite creative or know somone who is or is it going to be the case of casting pearls before swine?

There are some incredibly smart ads that you really like but do you remember the name of the product? This is going to be the dilema for the web designer. Do you keep it simple so as not to frighten away the passing trade or do you hit them right between the eyes.

If you are looking for some neat off the shelf stuff check out classynichegraphics.com they have a set of usefull designs.