| Today the Internet has come to play a major role in | | | | expensive sites often have databases, support hubs, |
| almost everyone's personal and business life. But | | | | and other time consuming, high maintenance |
| most small businesses aren't sure how to effectively | | | | technologies.When using a web designer/developer, |
| develop, market, and grow their company through | | | | price is normally the first thing that concerns most |
| the Internet. In these times, with well over 80 million | | | | businesses. But it's not as bad as most would like to |
| users logging on either through Internet access | | | | believe. Some web developers charge a flat fee for |
| accounts or online services, creating a presence on | | | | design and development. Others bill by the hour. |
| the Web becomes a critical decision for all businesses. | | | | Some even do both depending on the type of site |
| Small businesses are moving online with web sites at | | | | and what is required.Ex., Business Solutions of |
| a steady rate. In this article we will take a look at | | | | America offers two types of web site development |
| web site development and the basics you need to | | | | packages for small business. The Basic and Business |
| think about.There are three prevalent ways that any | | | | Package. Both are flat fee's at $750 - $1250 for the |
| business owner or manager can create a web | | | | design and a per hour fee on the development and |
| presence for themselves or their business. The first | | | | monthly maintenance. This sounds like it is costly but |
| way to do so is to create the web site your self.You | | | | in reality web-site development costs were less than |
| don't have to be a web designer or developer to | | | | $3,000 total on average, and the monthly fees for |
| build and manage a successful Web site, and you | | | | site maintenance averaged about $75, with very few |
| don't have to make a large investment. Numerous | | | | companies spending more than $100 a month. Much |
| small business owners have successfully launched | | | | like Yahoo they too also have the ability to design, |
| their own sites. A few of these smaller companies | | | | market, and host your web site, offering a complete |
| have launched for less than $500. But to do this you | | | | package of services for small businesses they call |
| must become educated in the major aspects of web | | | | Identity Solutions. These packages can contain web |
| design. Like who you'll you use as a web host or will | | | | design, logo design, print design, web hosting, |
| you create your own server. Which scripting | | | | marketing and maintenance to provide your business |
| language's will you use such as HTML, XML, Java, | | | | with a full service internet solution.So should you |
| JavaScript, CGI, PHP, etc. and which of these | | | | design your site yourself or hire a professional web |
| languages is really necessary to construct your site. | | | | designer?The benefit of doing the job your self is |
| Some other aspects to learn is will you allow others | | | | that you maintain control and can instantly make |
| to advertise on your site and how, will you use an | | | | changes without worrying about incurring any extra |
| affiliate program, will you offer referrals, will your site | | | | costs. The disadvantage of designing the site your |
| have a built in search feature, etc, etc.The second | | | | self is that it most likely will end up lacking in both |
| way is to use a search engine or directory like | | | | professionalism and functionality. For many small |
| Yahoo. For a monthly fee, many search engines and | | | | businesses, outsourcing site design is the most |
| directories will design, market, and host your Web | | | | valuable option. Web designers have the tools and |
| site. Based on your needs, you may choose a | | | | know-how to do a great job. Just remember web |
| package that includes one or more of these | | | | design services can be costly, and the skills of |
| services.I use Yahoo Small Business as a reference | | | | designers vary greatly. No matter what you chose to |
| because they offer a complete package of services | | | | do the most important part of creating your web |
| for the small business owner who is serious about | | | | site is the research and planning that you do before |
| creating their business's online presence. It truly is a | | | | you decide to create your new site. Good Luck on |
| full package. Through Yahoo Small Business you can | | | | your online |
| receive Internet access, web hosting, Internet | | | | shua M Cox, Owner and Creative Director for |
| marketing, and web design. To learn more about this | | | | Business Solutions of America, has been active in the |
| service and others offered you may visit them at | | | | design field for over 5 years. With a background in |
| third way is to hire a Web Designer/Developer. Web | | | | design and business he worked his way up through |
| design basically falls into two broad categories: basic | | | | the industry freelancing before launching BSA in |
| and complex. A basic site usually includes between 5 | | | | 2001.In addition to his own personal experience, Mr. |
| and 15 web pages, mostly HTML, and requires very | | | | Cox is privileged to work with an exceptional |
| little high-tech work. Complex sites generally cost | | | | network of talented industry professionals on a |
| more. Normally they will require the skills of software | | | | project basis in the areas of photography, illustration, |
| engineers, computer programmers, and others. | | | | website coding, and multimedia development.Web |
| Besides having sophisticated features, the more | | | | Site: jcox@businessamerica. |