Do-It-Yourself Website?
Nov 14th, 2008 by Val Nelson
Sample CMS Admin Panel (to edit your website)
A lot of people like the idea of having control over their own website, but the technology can be overwhelming.
There is a way to have control over your own website without knowing any special coding—and you can still have a professional look without breaking the bank.
Here’s the Trick
If you want to have control over your own website, hire a professional web developer who can offer you a “content management system” or “CMS.” That means your website is built in a way that allows you to access the parts you need to edit, including adding photos, adding pages, and more.
If there’s no CMS for your site, you’ll have to contact your web developer every time you want to change one word on your site. When you consider that, it’s easily worth the small extra expense to get the CMS.
CMS Quick Facts
- It’s easier than using Microsoft Word, so there’s no coding to learn.
- A CMS is not a simple thing to add after the fact, so ask for it from the start.
- Choosing the right CMS technology for your needs is important, and a good web designer will walk you through pros and cons of your options.
Don’t Go It Alone
For clarity, I absolutely advise against creating your website from scratch, unless you are a professionally trained web developer. Even then, you need an outsider involved, for perspective.
Non-profits and small businesses often think they will save money by hiring a student or friend to build a website. It just isn’t cost-effective in reality. I’ve seen it over and over. Waste of time and money.
I also advise against setting up your own site using a template. (Of course, if you just want a personal website or blog for yourself or your club, a do-it-yourself template site is fine.) But for anyone who needs a serious web presence (and every business or organization does), start with a professional web developer. There are low-budget options. (See related posts below.)
I’m not giving this warning for my own or my colleagues’ sake. I’m saying this to save you the headache, preserve your competitive edge, and to leave you time to run your business.
Today’s technology means your web developer can make something great for far less time than it would ever take you or an intern. You’ll save money and stress. And leave time to do your real job.
Buyer Beware
I can walk you through other good things to know before making website decisions. I don’t charge anything to give referrals to reliable web designers.
