Digital Media Done Right

In this day and age, everyone seems to be a master of digital media. Digital cameras are everywhere. Photoshop is common. Everyone has a website. But just having the tools doesn’t mean you’re a professional.

As Web Design teacher, I always start my class by telling my students, “Building a website is easy, building a good website is hard.” Anyone can build a website.

All you need is a text editor (such as Notepad) and to learn some HTML. After a few hours you too can have a website. But as we start moving through the classes, my students begin to realize what really goes into making a good website:

And that doesn’t even take into account professional looking design, graphics, and photography. Lets not forget about SEO and Internet Marketing either.

What about DIY websites?

If you just need a personal website to share your interests and hobbies, or need a way to share simple information, you can create a site on your own using a free or cheap DIY website service that is right for you.

Some are easier to use than others, but if they’re free, expect them to use your site as their own personal billboard for advertisements.

Although the cost may be great, the help and customer service isn’t. You may also be limited by what you can change and often you are forced to use a template, whether you like it or not.

You may want to move an image or text to another part of the screen, but how? After hours of trying you find out that you can’t and the template or system won’t let you. Maybe you have a color scheme in your head, but it just doesn’t look right when you publish the site. It clashes. Unless you have a friend that knows design and is willing to spend time and help you, your site may not look as pretty as you hoped.

Even after you get the site together, many people find that without a web designer to update your site for you, you end up wasting hours of your own time and money on your site only to get frustrated. And as time goes on, it’s likely that you will update your website less because of the hassle. Then you end up paying for something you don’t use and doesn’t provide you any benefit. Your time is probably better spent on your own business and not on your website.

When is it time for a professional website?

Usually people start getting serious about their website when they are using it as a marketing tool for an idea or business. At this point it’s a good idea to move alway from DIY websites and get a custom website that fits your needs and allows for expansion. It’s important to come off professional.

Good color schemes, useful content, and professional photography and graphic are some areas that should be considered. Here are some other requirements that go into making a professional website:

• Works with multiple platforms and browsers
• Reliable uptime
• Fast download
• Easy for users to move around site
• And good customer service

Quality vs Cost

If you are a serious business owner, then don’t skimp on your website. It’s the best salesperson/employee you’ll ever have. You’ll spend tens-of-thousands of dollars and up for a good employee, but hesitate to spend when it comes to your website. Smart business owners know the value of having a good website. Your website works for you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It never calls out sick. It never complains. It answers all your customers questions and brings in sales. Some people look at their website as just another expense. They should be looking at it as a long-term investment into their company.