Internet Marketing textbook.pdf - Vula

Website design and developmentCHAPTER 24.6.3 Other optionsThere are many other applications available for free (or for a small fee) online.They vary in complexity, features and purpose. Here is an overview of some ofthem:• DoodleKit (doodlekit.com/home) is a simple website builder that allows youto create an attractive website quickly.• Tank (withtank.com) is a website builder created specifically for the creativeartistic community, and puts an emphasis on slick and flexible design. It givesusers control over more technical aspects of the page too, like CSS and HTMLcoding, for those who have these skills.• TypePad (www.typepad.com) is a specialist blogging tool that can also beused to create an elegant website. TypePad offers a free trial but requirespayment afterwards.You can find a longer list here: alternativeto.net/software/yola.5. Web developmentWeb design is the process of conceptualising and creating the appearance of yourwebsite. Web development is the process of turning those ideas into a functioningwebsite. Don’t worry – for this course, you will not be required to do any technicalprogramming or work with any confusing code.5.1 Outsourcing or hiring?Since building a website seems like a daunting and long-term task, you may beconsidering whether you should outsource or hire your web developer. If yourwebsite is relatively simple and you can manage the content yourself, it is cheaperand easier to outsource your web development. Choose a developer who chargesa fair rate (neither too high nor too low) and find one whose portfolio you like.You will occasionally need the developer to do some updates and corrections onyour page, but you can be largely self-sufficient. This is the best option for smallbusinesses and entrepreneurs.On the other hand, hiring a developer makes more sense for a bigger companywith a complex website that needs to be maintained frequently. While this optionis more expensive (since you will be paying a monthly salary), it is convenientto have a developer on call if your website encounters a problem. This is also aconsideration for companies whose entire business is web based, like an onlineretailer or service provider, where any website problems can lead to a considerableloss of business. The middle ground is to hire a developer on a part-time basis oron retainer, which means that the developer allocates a set number of hours toyour company and website each month.44GetSmarter Internet Marketing textbook