Creating Your Website: DIY or Go With a Pro?

in Forum: Building a Website that Works

Source of this discusssion: /media/episodes/3799/p2-create-website-diy.asp Page description: Listen in to get perspective from an expert whose clientele includes over 350,000 website customers (and growing). We talk with Michael Schultz, US team lead for Microsoft Office Live marketing about how to know if you're better off building the website yourself, using templates, reaching out to professional web developer/designer/marketer types, or a combination of both.

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Apr. 25 2008 at 10:18 AM
Posted by: al3018 “Quote Reply
I have begun to explore office live small business web design tool, as well as the templates within expressions web, I also have a hosted site with a thirdparty that provides site-builder, .. My question is can I publish with the office live small business web design tool to my existing hosted site?
Apr. 25 2008 at 1:21 PM
Posted by: Webline “Quote Reply
Some site builders require certain hosting criteria for the resulting site to work/display properly. Pages made in Yahoo site builder probably won't work on other hosting set ups other than yahoo hosting, as an example. I've never used Frontpage, but I believe Frontpage built sites require hosting that allows frontpage extensions. Your best bet is to get a template or custom made site that will work on any Linux based web server, as they're less hassle to create and set up, and can easily be moved to other hosts if needed. M Hall MichianaWebline
Apr. 25 2008 at 3:32 PM
Posted by: brent281 “Quote Reply
front page is a web editing tool like dreamweaver. it is not necessary to have front page extension compatible hosting to use. there are free templates online, search google.
Apr. 26 2008 at 12:13 AM
Posted by: EntrepreneurialMex “Quote Reply
If you can do it your self then you should do it your self (To Save money and sometimes time) but if you have to go with a pro make sure they can get the job done when you want it to be done and that they have good customer service and listen to your needs
Apr. 26 2008 at 12:31 AM
Posted by: ImagingBuffet “Quote Reply
I like the blended approach. I would first do some research into which technology to use, and then have someone polish it. You can then pay for training or consulting so that you can do the upkeep. It's amazing what a good designer can do to make a site look great from the start. Hope that helps, Andrew Andrew Darlow, Consultant & Editor The Imaging Buffet Author, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques: An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers - InkjetTips.com
Apr. 26 2008 at 2:12 PM
Posted by: Loren “Quote Reply
If your objective is to get good at internet marketing and getting traffic it pays to be able to put together and edit websites. In some industries it's the OFFER that you make that gets the business, not the packaging - and just because a person is good at designing nice-looking websites doesn't mean they know how to make websites that make money. If you want to make money with your site your site needs to communictae lucidly what the value of your product and service is. A pro designer will generally be far more concerned with putting a feather in his cap and building his portfolio than he is in making you money with your site. It's a good idea to get clear about what you want and be familiar with site money-making strategies. This way if you work with a designer you can steer the design to get teh results you want. You might be surprised at the selling power of good website copywriting. Your message and what you offer should first and foremost be clear to a visitor very quickly. If design and graphics do not support your selling message in a clear way you can easily shoot your own foot. A Useful Blog About Marketing Income Opportunities Online Think and Succeed! My Million Dollar Marketing Course The system for getting more leads and traffic for your home-based business
Apr. 30 2008 at 1:50 PM
Posted by: MarkR “Quote Reply
Great question. Going with a designer - a good web designer, atleast - can cost you thousands of dollars. However, will you be sacrificing design and usability if you create one yourself? Plus, keep in mind the time that it takes to build a great looking site - do you have that much time to devote to creating your own site? That was my dilemma too. I eventually went with an ecommerce store platform. WebStore by Amazon (the one I chose), has customizable templates to choose from, and you can set up your online store pretty easily.