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Programming and Technical HelpOnce you have planned your site and created the content and graphics,
you will need to convert your information into a Web-readable format. You
can do this by converting text documents to HTML
(HyperText Markup Language) and converting the graphics into GIF or JPEG
format. Learning the basics of HTML is fairly easy. If you have only a
few pages to create and some time on your hands, you can probably do it
yourself. If you need help, hire an HTML coder for about US $25
to US $75 per hour. Software that converts documents to HTML (HTML editors)
can be of great help. In fact, with Microsoft Word, you can save a document
as an HTML file. Once you begin working with forms, CGI scripts, image maps, or online transactions, you probably will need the services of a programmer. Programmers can cost US $45 to US $200 per hour, depending on your needs, geographic location and the programmer's skills. Many web developers offer programming as part of their services. You can also locate qualified programmers by doing an online search. Make sure you see some examples of previous projects, before you hire anyone. When all of your material is ready and you've got a programmer ready to roll, you will need a place to host your site. If you are running an in-house web server, your system administrator will have to learn the necessary skills (perhaps with the help of a consultant). These days, most businesses and individuals host their sites with their Internet service provider (if it provides this service) or with a web hosting company.
Marketing and PromotionCreating a brilliant website is fruitless if no one knows about it. With over a 100 million sites online, capturing attention can be a challenge. Some developers offer marketing and promotion as part of their package. Visit The Web Developer's Journal for ideas on marketing your site. Get things going by registering your site with the major search engines: A professional Internet marketer can really help spread the word and offer ideas for bringing more people to your site--everything from advertising on the Web to creative promotions.
MaintenanceLike a house, a website needs regular upkeep. Don't make the mistake of assuming that once it's online, it's done. If you want people to return to your site, someone will have to add new content and update existing material; there's e-mail to answer, links to check, and perhaps usage statistics to track. For a small site, this can take as little as two or three hours a month. With some time spent learning the basic technology, you could manage this yourself. Maintenance on a large site can easily be a full-time job, so build the costs of continuing maintenance into your budget. If you're working with a web developer who is helping with aspects of your project, the company may offer a maintenance agreement as part of the contract. Ask about this at the beginning of the project. Working with the same people throughout will ensure consistency; a new person or company won't have the same working knowledge of your site.
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