Everyone was building a web page. It was fun, a great hobby, and put you on the cutting edge.
Now with over 3 billion web pages, the tide is turning. To be successful on the Internet (develop credibility, earn money, etc) you are competing with thousands if not millions of other sites. To stand out you want something different.
When there is so much competition credibility becomes a huge issue. Why should someone choose your service or your product over the others? You want your web site to "put your company's best foot forward" and make a positive impression on your clients.
Here are a couple pitfalls with "home-built" web sites:
1. Clipart: Professional graphic design elements are essential to a solid web presence. Clipart is great fun, but it doesn't often promote your business's credibility.
2. Theme Sites: Most software packages (FrontPage for example) offer theme-based pages. You choose the theme; insert your content, and viola all your pages are ready to go. Works great, but your site ends up looking like a template and that can mean a decrease in credibility.
3. Browser Problems: Your site needs to be evaluated on a variety of computer types, browser platforms, and screen resolutions. Netscape, Internet Explorer, Mosaic, etc all interpret HTML differently. Your site may look really good in Internet Explorer, but appears scrambled in Netscape or AOL. A professional web developer should make appropriate adjustments for these idiosyncrasies.
4. Automation: The most powerful feature in web development is automation. Updates are key to a site's success. There are database and scripting tools available to empower the site owner. The ability to manage and update your own site is essential.
Bottom line: In many respects this is a situation where you get what you pay for. Ideally, your web developer is your friend AND a professional. And ultimately you will want a web site designed and developed that meets the needs and the expectations of your customers. If your friend can't do it … find a professional.
-Doug DeVries
http://Equine-Design.com
