How often in your life have you been ripped off? If you’re like me it’s probably more times than you care to admit, or indeed, remember. And it doesn’t stop. Not for a moment.
Let’s take as an example the simple matter of wanting your very own website. Simple? You should be so lucky. You see the whole business of website creating has become a kind of mystery, some sort of “Magic Circle” – entry to which is denied you. Website building, they would have you believe, is an arcane art. Cross grubby palms with silver and enlightenment is yours.
The result being that a vast majority of website owners (or webmasters as they’re now magnificently tagged) are duped into forking out too much cash for a less than thrilling website.
How do they get into this position? Quite simply, they don’t know where to start. Here’s where the floundering around begins. Some find it impossible and give up the ghost; others jump into the first thing that comes along. One thing I can tell you is that you’ll find your options are surprisingly limited despite the millions of websites out there offering “solutions” to your quandary.
So, what are these options and are they suitable for you?
(1) Professional Website Designers
The favorite first step seems to be to consult with a Website Designer. Fingers pore through the Yellow Pages. They contact one with an impressive sounding name; explain what they want and whether he can help. Unsurprisingly he can.
But at a hefty cost! These guys don’t come cheap. My honest assessment is that they are over-priced and under-qualified. Plus, the chances are gloomily high that the site you get bears little or no resemblance to your pre-conceived notion – despite the hours of meetings and discussions.
(2) Go-It-Alone
If you’ve got what it takes to learn HTML you can buy books on the subject – by the ton-load – and away you go.
But for the average person this approach is probably not an option. You see, it’s fair to say that the vast amount of people don’t possess any HTML knowledge, let alone FTP, CGI, graphic or programming skills. Nor do they possess the time or aptitude to learn it.
Most are unlikely to master it and won’t even attempt it! Having said that, if you do have the required aptitude – and you’re still pretty young! – it is an option.
(3) FrontPage
This is an MS HTML editor with which you create web pages yourself. The big problem is that unless you’ve some HTML know-how it’ll take you forever to figure how the software works. Furthermore the editor does not produce what are considered generally accepted results.
(4) Dreamweaver
Even Dreamweaver, the really big name when it comes to website-creating software, comes with disadvantages. One is that they’re not cheap. In fact they’re downright expensive. The other is that the program is devilishly difficult to use.
Dreamweaver includes so many advanced features, bells and various whistles that the average newcomer feels overwhelmed and unable to use them. Why else are there so many books, tutorials and websites out there devoted to instructing you how to use it!
The time for buying Dreamweaver is, ironically, when you actually know how to build a website! Then, it’s pretty cool!
(5) Website-Building Software Programs
These are available by the wheel-barrow load, all offered on a pay-till-you-drop basis. Helpfully, they’ve got all kinds of plans for you. They’ve got $5.00 plans, $12.95 plans, $19.95 plans and super-dooper, enhanced plans for $49.95, that sort of thing. Bear in mind, by the way, that’s monthly!
Yep, you’ll be paying these fees for as long as you’re in business. And you’re totally dependent on that service. For ever! What happens to your site if you want to go elsewhere? Or what if the company stopped trading? If you can form a sentence using the words “Creek”, “Without” and “Paddle” you’ll get my drift.
So what now?
As you can see the viable options available to you are pretty limited. Most are either expensive or to be avoided like the plague. I want you to avoid becoming another member of the “Countless Millions Club of Broke and Disillusioned Website Owners”.
And you can, because there really is another way.
And that’s build your website yourself!
“What? Are you nuts! I don’t know a bit from a byte!” do I hear you cry? Yes you can. It really is not that difficult. In fact it’s a piece of cake. It just requires a bit of effort on your part, effort that’ll pay off big-time.
In future articles I’ll try to take out the “mystery” behind website building and show you how it really is possible to create a good looking website, upload it to the net and, importantly, how to take money.
Just imagine being able to create any type of website you want at the drop of a hat. And at a cost everyone can afford - nothing! That’s right! No need for expensive software or monthly fees. Ever!
Does that sound exciting or does it sound exciting?
Until next time,
Robbie Pugh
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Robbie Pugh
|
