Can You Build A Web Site Without Professional Help?

The answer is yes! Anyone can build a web site if they will put some time into learning how to do it. Using any of the "What You See Is What You Get" web page construction programs allows anyone to put together a basic web page in a few simple steps.

 

If anyone can do this, why would anyone hire a professional?

Web site construction takes either time or dollars. Whether you decide to use a professional depends on which of these is the limiting factor.

Most Districts start out with a web site that tells visitors who they are, what they do, and how to get in touch with them. Districts tend to move up to using professional help in doing web site updates, restructuring or site reorganization.

The experience of building a few web pages makes that District a better client, because they understand what kind of time is involved in actually doing the work.

If you or a member of your conservation district staff is going to undertake web site development or management, factor in the time it will take to learn the software program; organize the material; select the graphics; converting the material to web files; uploading the web site; proofing the site; registering the pages; and maintenance.

The key is to get started. Build that first web page. Create that first site. Then if you need help - get it.

 

Some symptoms that you need a Professional:

• When you need someone that knows more than you do

• You want to build a complex site but don't have on-staff expertise

• When you need someone to manage the information flow

• You have a site that isn't operating as you expect)

• You have a site that has become fairly large or complex)

• You discover your site is hard to maintain

• You need to rebuild but don't want to lose your existing audience

• You are changing to a domain from a non-domain address.