Corrie Haffly

I whip web sites into submission, but I'm nice to everyone else.

Beginner's Primer

Basic Decisions

Before you spend any money, make a few basic decisions.

  1. Custom or Template?
    • Custom-designed site
      This will either take more time (for you to learn how) or more money (by hiring a designer), but you get an end result that you're definitely happy with that is unique to your needs.
    • A site based from a web template design
      Save money and time by purchasing a pre-designed web site template and just add your content. Learn about web site template options.
    • A compromise
      Buy a web template and modify the pictures or colors yourself or with a designer's help. Sometimes, however, the template might be too difficult to modify and you will have saved more time doing it from scratch. Learn about web site template options.
  2. Hire a designer or do it yourself?
    • Do it yourself
      Learn how to use web authoring software and graphics programs and make your own site. Basic sites can be easy to do, but you run the risk of making mistakes and not knowing how to follow web standards (which allow more people to access your site). Learn about your options for software and tools.
    • Hire a designer
      A designer takes away the headaches of web standards and different technologies, but it's usually not free.
  3. Pay for updates or learn how?
    • Pay for updates
      Most web designers can put on retainer or paid hourly for small updates, like adding more announcements, updating your product catalog, or adding a new page. But again, it's not free, and the turnaround may not be as immediate as you'd like.
    • Learn how to update it yourself
      You might be able to learn how to update the web site yourself. You'll have to sacrifice some time or money to purchase needed software and get the know-how.Learn about your options for software and tools.

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