Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

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

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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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.

It depends on what you want to do with your website, or what the customer wants to do with their website I guess?

There are a lot of good site builders out there now that allow people to create their own websites and also handle the domain name and hosting solutions for their customers. I think that the "all in one" remotely hosted site builder companies will take much business from web developers and web hosts in the future because they are very user friendly. All the customer has to do is  pay a monthly fee and they can update their own website when they need to.