Not sure whats involved in getting a internet page started? Well, there are really only three ways to go about it. In this article, Ill provide an objective review of the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

(a) The DIY solution: Create and maintain your internet site yourself by using software such as Microsoft FrontPage or by writing the HTML directly.

(b) The half-n-half solution: Have an external party create the internet page . You then do the regular updating of the page yourself.

(c) The full outsourcing solution: Have an external party create and update the site.

(a) THE DIY SOLUTION

ADVANTAGES
* This is the cheapest solution. You dont absolutely need to pay any fees to consultants.
* If you enjoy being creative this could be an enjoyable and rewarding activity.
* You will have complete control over your web sites "look and feel."
* Theres no chance of a consultant handing you a page that isnt what you wanted.

DISADVANTAGES
* DIY sites almost always look amateurish. This may turn away customers. * DIY sites generally have poor navigation controls. In a well-planned page , the user should be able to find what they want in seconds. Achieving this is not as easy as it sounds. * You will positive need to obtain some suitable software and then spend time learning how to make use of it -- perhaps a lot of time. * You will absolutely need to learn the arcane secrets of good META tags, JPEG compression, browser compatibility, FTP clients, loading speed and more if you want the page to perform well.

SKILLS NEEDED
* Patience: This will all take time. * Good PC skills; e.g. a familiarity with both writing and graphics applications.
* Technical skills or the willingness to acquire them. * Graphic design and page-layout skills.

(b) THE HALF-N-HALF SOLUTION

ADVANTAGES
* Youll need far less technical information. * The graphic design, page layout and navigation elements of the page will all be done for you thus avoiding many of the pitfalls that strike amateur designs. * A consultant will most likely produce the page sooner than you can.
* If you have the skills (and the target ) to update the page yourself, this may be the best trade-off between price, speed and professionality.

DISADVANTAGES
* Youll still absolutely need to have (or learn) some technical skills, but not nearly as many as with the DIY solution. * Consultants cost might be hundreds of dollars even for a small page . Larger sites will cost more, of course. * You run the risk of the consultant not furnishing the develope that you were looking for. * Major changes or upgrades to the site will most definately need to be done by the consultant. * When you update the site yourself you risk "breaking" something or just "messing it up."

SKILLS NEEDED
* Some technical skills or a willingness to acquire them. * The ability to liaise with the consultant about how you want the page to look and what you want it to achieve.

(c) THE FULL OUTSOURCING SOLUTION

ADVANTAGES
* You are not required to spend measure and effort learning technical skills that other folk already understand and (lets be honest here) can probably do better. * This requires the least effort on your part. * A consultant will produce the site sooner than you may. * This should produce a professional looking site that navigates easily, loads quickly, is compatible with all browsers and works well with search engines.

DISADVANTAGES
* This is the most costly solution. * You have less control over the content of the page .

SKILLS NEEDED
* The ability to liaise with the consultant about how you want the site to look and what you want it to achieve.

CONCLUSIONS
Choosing between these solutions comes down to two main issues: your budget and your skills. If you have the skills needed (and the free of cost measure ), you can save yourself hundreds of dollars in consultants fees. If not, ponder bringing in a consultant to develope the page for you and, perhaps, to do the updates as well.

Tim North
info@scribe.com.au
http://www.scribe.com.au/ebooks.htm