Building Quality Web Sites - That Work!

2008-05-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

With all the web site options that are available how do you determine what is the best route to go.

There are all kinds of website builders, softwares and free web site offers available everywhere you look.
- Who do you trust? - What's the best choice?
- Is free really free? - That's a great question.

I have spent what seems like a lifetime researching, and don't have enough lifetimes to get to everything. But, I have some input you may find valuable.

From the view point of an entrepreneur I would say website quality weighs more heavily on being able to be found on the web than how attractive it is, or how many bells and whistles it has.

I'm sure you would agree -
...if no one views your site, it isn't going to do much for you.
Keep this thought in the front of your mind as you read on.

You've done some searching and found things like -

... Free website and hosting with the purchase of a domain name.
Yeah! Plenty of them of those. ... So what's the catch?

They plaster advertising on your site after you spend all that time building it? Oh, and they are pretty good about the advertisers relevance to your content too. So what the heck "you just built a site featuring your competition".
Free! - Not so good.

... Get a Free website, and use your own custom domain.
Wow, this one is kind of cool, great website builder, nice templates, even somewhat customizable. Hmmm where are the marketing tools? No email contact manager, Ohhh - I see, they sell you all of the extras you need and it's only free for limited time.
All that time to build it and holy buckets, it's not all it's cracked up to be either.

... This one is nice and not priced to bad either, looks professional and even integrates with accounting software. It's loaded with bells and whistles, easy site builder. Great this could work. A few weeks later.
Hmmm, No Traffic either. I don't get it. More money and time wasted.

... Of course I am simplifying things a bit. but you get the picture.
Even with free you often don't get your money's worth.

By the way, if you don't want to plan your site for natural traffic -you CAN get traffic to ANY site if you are willing to PAY for it. If you have a big budget just make sure you are buying targeted traffic. Another subject.

With all that said, what actually represents quality with regard to a website.

It's Marketing -
Marketing is the most important element. Now that can sound scary and it is for many people. Most people want to have fun building a cool site and hope it works, but unfortunatly that's not how it works.

You have probably heard many stories of sites built by professional web designers that just collect cyber dust. They said it was SEO optimized and all that stuff and it looked great!

If a professional can't make a site that works, how can you do it?

Well really ... You can do it. It takes time and planning and some more learning.

First find some one (a company) who wants to see you succeed, not just sell you some products and then a few more products.

Look beyond the testimonies and see what is really being offered. You could be suprised to find more than just a good web tool box.

When you start finding that more focus is placed on marketing, structure, and content than on bells and whisltes your on the right track. You know I'd rather have an ugly site that works than a spiffy one that doesn't.

Now, don't get me wrong, you can still have a great looking site with plenty of great features, but your success depends on marketing tools and resources and planning.

happy website building. Keep checking back for more.

Cheers!

Thomas

PS: If your overwhelmed, it still might be the best thing to hire out the website construction work.

Check with Oh Yeah Marketing, Inc. www.OhYeahMarketing.com (that's us!)

My Blog Purpose - To help and inspire others!

2008-04-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Thomas Worzella

My hope is that you'll find insights, inspiration and useful tidbits through out my writings and stories, as well as from others who are encouraged to join me here.

My own energy and inspiration often comes from interaction with other aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors.

As a business professional, I enjoy most every aspect of operating a business. Especially analyzing, possibility thinking and creative marketing. I believe venturing into your own business is one of the most educational journeys any person can take.

When you learn to work for yourself, if you are determined for success, you work hard and learn fast. I've studied longer and harder than many of my friends who went on to college, and still do to this day. The learning never ends if you want to stay on top of your game. Especially in today's competitive market.
You know what? I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thus my slogan "Staying Plugged In!"

Food for thought -

No matter what you do - love it and do it well.

What you think about most often becomes your reality,

...be careful what you think about!

My wish for you is to think positively, cheerfully and gratefully.

Sincerely,

Thomas

(I have just started building this site) http://www.thomasworzella.com/