Do you need a website? DUH!

Of course you do! Consider all the advertising you do with the phone book. Most, not all, but most people are connected to the Internet with the touch of their fingertips with laptops and cell phones. With so many of these and others on the go, it's quicker to jump online to grab a phone number or address (with an App or Widget to even point you in the right direction) than it is to look up the info in the phone book. Granted, this info can be accessed as long as you've uploaded said info to the Internet but why stop there?


Instead of paying upwards of $600/MONTH for advertising in the phone book and on various "phone book" websites, consider the number of people you can reach with a well designed, well written, user friendly website.


When contemplating your website venture, keep in mind a few do's and several do nots.


DO Set a budget for this expense. While many companies can offer specialized pricing, others will not. You don't want to get your hopes set on one designer and then realize later you cannot afford their services.


Do NOT Set an unrealistic budget. If you were already paying money out for advertising you plan to nix, use that money as a basis for a budget. Designers range in (realistic) prices from $1,000-$2,500 for basic sites. Some are more affordable, such as Stinky Web Designs, while others hit the higher end.


DO hire a professional. Whether you've just started your business and a website is one of your first major investments or you're an established company who has decided to take the technological plunge-hiring a professional web designer is the easiest, most affordable route in creating your website.


Do NOT be tricked into doing the site yourself on some freebie template based site. Yes, it's cheap, but your website will not be yours. Any one can choose the same template and add their information to it. Your website should be a direct reflection of your company. Even if you are one of ten on the block, YOUR business is different from the other 9. Stand out from the crowd with a unique design, instead of a template!


DO Get it in writing. Regardless of who you choose, get a contract...for your protection and theirs. AND, if they are registering your domain name, be sure it is IN your name, not theirs.


Be on the lookout for more "choosing a web designer" info soon!