There are a couple of very good reasons to want to have a website:

• The number one reason is that it's the best and least expensive place to sell your products and services without having to rent a brick and mortar store front.
• The second reason is that it's a great marketing tool.

Keep in mind though, as a marketing tool, it is number two after your mailing list. But that's a whole 'nother class.

I get asked at least once a month: Can you build me a website? One where I can sell my [insert product or service]?

Consider this...

The first thing I do is reveiw the list (click button below below) with them, of things to consider when putting together a website.

And then this...

Then we talk about cost. Suprisingly, it's not too terribly expensive in dollars and cents to have a web site...less than $100 a year, and in many cases, less than $50 a year.

Now where it can get pricey is having the site actually built. And then maintained. Will you be willing to learn how to do it? Or will you want to hire someone else?

Every developer is different and has different rates. Of course, I always recomment my long time friend, Dick Knuth. Yes, the same man who wrote this. He's very fair and has a great eye for layout design as well as some great graphic skills.

What about maintenance?

Regarding maintenance, this PC Training site is one of six sites that I've built (with Dick's help) and maintain. And I can honestly say, I can sometimes spend 2-3 days a week on maintenance along with creating and uploading new content. Ok, the maintenance is about an hour or so a couple times a week. But the new content part can sometimes take me up to 40-60 hours at a stretch.

I develop online courseware that involves writing out and creating formatted instruction sheets, and videos. But you may only be creating and adding one or two new products or services in a month. That could take as little as an hour or so a month.

So this time thing really depends on the purpose and funtionality of your site. Either way, it's something to think about.

Are you ready to take the next step?

I'd say since you're still with me, then click on the button below and take a look at the Planning Websites 101 document.

Then, if you're ready to build a site, then give Dick a call: you won't be sorry when you choose to work with him.