Bon Journal

Building your own Web site

So many people have asked me about how to get started on building their own Web sites that I decided to devote a journal entry to the question. Earlier I had touched upon Webhosting questions, but I've yet to discuss the issues surrounding getting a place in cyberspace.

The traditional way of getting other people's attention by calling, e-mailing, writing, etc is time-consuming and costly compared to the reverse method of getting found. A lot of opportunities come my way because my work can be easily found on the Internet. The best way is to combine both methods, if you can.

Most people in permanent, full-time occupations have no need for a Web site of their own. In some cases, it conflicts with company policy. Plus it's extra work. I started analyticalQ.com while I was in a part-time contract. I continued to build and maintain it even after getting a permanent, full-time job ---- but it was really difficult. Something had to give, and often it was my sleep or personal life. So unless you have time on your hands, don't even think of building your own Web site.

Okay, how about asking someone else to do your site? A few of my friends have tried that. But they discovered that outsourcing was expensive and inflexible. The whole point of having a Web site is the ability to change it. Otherwise, you'd publish a book about yourself.

At this stage, your concern might be how you can build a relatively small and maintenance-free site with the focus of being easily found. Most people don't realise that getting found and giving the right impression for the fickle Internet surfer is the prime objective of having a permanent place in cyberspace. So what if you've spent loads of time and money creating a spanky Web site and no one knows how to find it? So what if you've got a great Web site but it gives people the wrong impression of you and your business?

Here are some useful nuggets of truth for the newcomer. Now go and figure out what they mean.

"Everything you need to build your own Web site is on the World Wide Web."

"If it's not on the Internet, it doesn't exist."

"If you copy an entire site, it's plagiarism. If you copy different bits from different sites, it's research."

For more information, visit analyticalQ web advice.

27 February 2003 Thursday