With the likes of Twitter, Facebook, Livejournal and Google Sites, it’s never been easier to publish content on the Internet. And this is a great thing, it’s a new and growing media that lets anybody have their own little soapbox and gives those who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to be creative to create stuff cheaply and easily.
But if you run a business, should you save money and make your own website? Well, I reckon it all depends.
I like to compare websites to leaflets and posters. On one hand you get the professionally printed coloured leaflets on glossy paper, and on the other hand you get the home-printed, black-and-white, inkjet-printed and library-photocopied leaflets that get shoved through your door advertising local fairs or plumbing services.
If you’re a plumber then people don’t expect professional leaflets, and it would only be a waste of money. But if you’re a business with its own premises you want to give a top impression to your customer, and what better way than with a professionally made and created site?
I’m never one for making the web industry a snobbish and exclusive one, and so think that home-made sites do have their place. As do sites created by amatuers — these sites are often cheaper (or free), lets the designer enjoy his hobby, and allows him to learn more about creating websites.
It’s certainly cheaper to create it yourself if you don’t have the budget, but you get what you pay for. Going professional is worth every penny, and the designer will know the very latest techniques and will create you a site that will get you out there (with knowledge in SEO), will make you money, and will show you in the best light possible.
But if you do choose to make your own, please don’t use free hosting sites like Geocities and Tripod. You won’t get your own domain name, you won’t have complete control, and they’ll shoehorn adverts onto your site.