| DECIDING WHICH WEBSITE BUILDER TO USE | | | | You shouldn't have to learn HTML or any code to |
| Congratulations for taking the big step to create your | | | | use a templated website builder. Cutting and pasting |
| own professional business website. Advances in | | | | text should be enough to enable you to do what you |
| technology have made it simple, easy and affordable. | | | | need to do.o How will I be charged? |
| Now you won't have any reason to have an | | | | Some systems have startup fees, some charge on a |
| out-of-date website! | | | | monthly basis. Understand what Year One and |
| But how do you decide which system to go with? | | | | subsequent years will cost you. Also what extras you |
| Read on and learn which questions to ask and figure | | | | may be charged for.o Is the site optimized for |
| out what is important to you before you sign on any | | | | search? Do they charge extra for that? |
| dotted line. | | | | Your templated system should allow you to pick your |
| For the purposes of this article, we'll focus on | | | | own metatags and keywords, without extra charge. |
| site-building systems from three kinds of vendors:o | | | | Many systems will try to force you into a paid search |
| Registrar companies (like GoDaddy.com, | | | | campaign without making it clear that this should be |
| Register.com)o Technology generalists like | | | | totally optional (and may not be at all necessary for |
| Microsoft.como Software meant specifically for your | | | | your business!)o Can you track statistics and activity |
| industry | | | | on your website? |
| As you weigh your choices, here are some critical | | | | Ask your provider how you can see what happens |
| issues to consider:o Does your provider specialize in | | | | on your site. Find out if you can easily integrate |
| your kind of business? | | | | Google Analytics, a free tracking program. If you put |
| The tools provided by a generalist or a registrar are | | | | up a site, you want to know what happens!o Is |
| going to be require a fair amount of customization on | | | | there a built-in contact form so you don't need to |
| your part. When you work with someone who | | | | publish your email address? |
| understands your business, it will come ready for you | | | | You want to make it as easy as possible for people |
| to get started.o Who registers and owns your | | | | to get in touch with you without posting your email |
| domain name? | | | | address (which will open you up to spam). Many |
| You should always own and control your domain | | | | systems have this functionality built in.o Can you |
| name. No matter who builds your site. Write down | | | | integrate third party applications (like payments) |
| the account registration information and password, | | | | easily? |
| you will need it.o Is email included in your package? | | | | It should be easy to add elements that can enhance |
| You should use professional email at your main | | | | your site, like online stores and credit card processing, |
| domain. One vendor should be able to manage | | | | online newsletter signup, event registration, blog |
| hosting of both your site and your email. And you | | | | software, YouTube video, Audio Acrobat audio files, |
| should be able to have multiple email addresses set | | | | etc. Even if you don't want to launch your site with |
| up with no additional charge.o How much flexibility do | | | | them, you might want to add them at some time in |
| you have in design? Are there limits to how big your | | | | the future.o Can you offer downloadable forms and |
| site can be? | | | | documents? |
| These website builders are usually templated | | | | If you ask clients to complete forms (intake forms, |
| systems. (If you are hiring a low-cost designer, | | | | insurance forms, etc) or want articles to be available, |
| remember you still won't have control of your site). | | | | you should be able to offer easy one-click downloads |
| Understand what the limitations of their designs are. | | | | from your site.o What kind of support and advice is |
| Some sites limit the number of pages you can have | | | | offered? |
| or don't allow you to use your own logo and banner.o | | | | You'll want to be sure that you can get help when |
| Where do I get the content? | | | | you need it. And maybe you'll want more than |
| There are two ends of this spectrum: the registrars | | | | technical advice but also want best practices and |
| and generalists offer NO guidance, you are | | | | insight into how to best use your site as a marketing |
| completely on your own. Some of the specialist sites | | | | tool. Is there a written manual? Phone support? A |
| offer off-the-shelf content, you just change the | | | | Help Desk? Know what you are getting. |
| name/photo and you are ready to go. Other | | | | ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND TRY OUT THE |
| industry-specific firms (like those meant for coaches | | | | FREE TRIAL IF THEY OFFER ONE. Once you invest a |
| or therapists or attorneys) give guidance and | | | | lot of time and energy into building your site, you |
| assistance, but the words, pages and images are | | | | won't want to move it again soon. |
| selected by you.o How technical do I need to be? | | | | |