The Easy, Build It Yourself Web Site Myth

Many companies that are in search of an affordable web site fall victim to large vendors that offer a service to let you build your own web site. In many instances, these quickie sites have a number of pitfalls that should make any person considering them take a long second look.

Large Internet corporations have gotten into the business of selling easy-to-use web site authoring programs (usually operated through your Internet browser). Hosting in many cases is bundled with the initial purchase. These programs allow a client to pick various designs and layouts and will allow for various types of fonts and sizes for text. Given the interface, you can add your content and images. Unfortunately more often than not, you are corralled into using their overall design templates and therefore cannot express any desire for creativity. For example, maybe you have a great idea about having an image map of the USA so users can find how much shipping is going to cost from their location? Well, if your "web site service" does not offer such functionality, then you are stuck.

Another aspect of the all-in-one web site tools that are marketed is the fact that many will not let you post a site built in HTML onto their hosting space. There take on it is: "We offered you our creation package with the hosting. So if you don't use the creator, you can't use our hosting. Nana, nana, boo boo." Again, these are limitations that you will most likely have to put up with. Now in some cases, it may be a realistic solution to choose such a service. The costs are usually very low (since they are doing little or no actual design work on your specific site). If you need to get some sort of web presence out there, they can be an option to consider, but just remember; you will give up flexibility and design creativity for the bargain price you pay.

- Kaufman Web Design™