Do It Yourself or Have It Built For You ?

Ok , now you have all your web pages planned, you have chosen your domain name and host for your website.

The next thing to decide is whether or not you want to build your own website or have it built for you. Of, course I am sure you realize that each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. So what is the right choice for you?

First ask yourself what is my time frame for putting up this website? Does it have to be up and running as soon as possible or do you have time to build it yourself without worrying about a time table?

Second, what do I know about building a website?

Third, do I have the time not only to build it, but to thoroughly test every aspect of it, to make sure all parts of my website are functional and working properly.

Fourth, besides knowing how to build and test the website, do I know what "infrastructure" I need for my website and do I know how to make it work as a stemless part of my website?

So, if for example, you are going to have a dating website, do you REALLY know what such a site needs to be successful? Take a look at the major dating websites, like e-harmony and match.com. What do they have?

You will notice both have a billing section, both have membership profiles and both have pictures and numerous other features. Can you implement those features on your website? Chances are unless this is not your first website, you probably cannot.

So now what? Well if you have not all ready done so, now would be a good time for determining what your budget is for building the your website. If you can afford to have the work done, then you are probably better off having someone who is a knowledgeable professional build it for you, and show you , once it is up and running how to maintain it yourself or give you an estimate of what it will cost for you to maintain the website yourself.

In my next post, I will tell you what else to consider in making your decision, no matter what your budget is.

Basic Web Pages Part Three------Footers

The bottom of your website's Home Page is where you place the "footer" pages. That is not to say that they are any less important than the Header Pages, but with the exception of the site map or index page, they will be accessed less frequently.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER PAGE

This page is very important to protect both you and your business. You can either retain an attorney to write one for you, or look around and various sites similar to yours and copy a legal disclaimer that you like and think is appropriate. But do not copy it word for word, unless you have the permission of the website's owner in writing to use it.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER PAGE

Here is where you state that the examples quoted are not typical and do not constitute any type of guaranty. The same way to create this page is the way you create this one.

Now there is one more disclaimer page I forgot to mention, but it is very important if you are recommending any product, service or service provider. That page is the Earnings Disclaimer page.


EARNINGS DISCLAIMER PAGE

On this page, you state the earnings of people mentioned are not typical and are not a guarantee of what you will make by using a particular product, service or service provider. You create this page the same way as the other two disclaimer pages.


SITE MAP AND OR INDEX PAGE

This is your visitors guide to what is on your website and how it is organized. Make sure all your pages are listed here, and if you use an index page, list all the pages and topics that are on your website.

CONTACT US PAGE

This is how you enable your visitors and members to contact you.

FAQ PAGE

This page can be in either the Header or Footer section. You want to set it up in a question and answer format to deal with the questions you anticipate that your members and visitors will ask, and of course the questions you get asked most frequently.

In my next post, I will give you some more tips about how to build your website and what should be on it.