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Should You Buy a Prepackaged Website?

By JENNIFER SHAHEEN, SMSMALLBIZ.COM
Posted: 2009-07-30 15:51:54
Filed Under: Small Business, Online Business, Business Resources
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The small-business website seems to be one of the simplest things to launch today. Everywhere you turn, companies are giving you what appears to be the perfect website for a startup. It's like walking into Ikea and buying a bookshelf: All you need to do is put it together. Seems simple enough, but before you buy an off-the-shelf website, understand what you're buying and what you need for your business.

Take a moment to sketch out what you need from your website. Today's websites are more than just online brochures, and the first thing to do is outline what you need from your website. Here are few features you may want to think about when creating your list of needs:

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    Content Control

    We all want to control content on our websites and be able to add and edit text. How flexible do you need the text control to be on your website? Do you have special features in mind for working with your website content? Are you concerned about the number of pages? Will you be starting with five pages today, but grow the site to 15 or 20 pages in the next few months?

    Design and Layout

    Do you have an idea about how you want your website to look and work? Do you want your website to have a navigation bar at the top of your webpage, the side or both? Are you hoping to have some pages with a layout that is in one color and a separate section in another color? Some template services only allow one theme, so this is an important question.

    Online Forms

    Do you need your website to collect information through online forms? Will you need more than one form on your website? Where will you want these forms? For example, will you want the web from to be apart of the design like a price quote or only on the contact page?

    Audio/Video

    Will your website be providing audio or video? Do you have the know-how to code these items for the web, or do you need your website application to help with this service? Do you know how large your average file size on your video will be? Some applications limit uploads over certain sizes.

    Sales

    Are you planning to sell online? How many products? Do you want your website to have all the tools needed to collect credit cards securely? Do you want to show two or three views of your product? Do you want exact shipping costs calculated based on your products' weights? Will you need your website to provide the orders to a third-party fulfillment company or distribution center?

    There are many questions here, and many more you should ask yourself. By taking the time to outline your needs now, you can know what you're shopping for in a website application provider. Think of it like making a grocery list before you go food shopping: If you don't have it on the list you may forget it, and then get distracted by the other things on the shelf. Buying off the shelf means knowing what tools you need that application to provide. This outline will also prepare you to review set-up costs and monthly budget.

    When you use an existing application, you're essentially borrowing it. The design and function doesn't belong to you. You provide the images, video and content but the application is licensed to your business.

    Evaluating Web Applications

    Now that you have your list, you can go shopping find the prepackaged tools that fit your needs. Start by reviewing magazine articles, blogs and support pages. These resources will provide you with expert reviews, customer feedback and a realistic expectation about support. Most applications provide a test drive, but until you really use something you never know what it's missing. The support pages or knowledge bases on web applications will tell you about issues, past bugs and open items. Another great place to start understanding the application you may be interested in are the customer forums. Not all applications offer this type of community, but those that do are giving you a great place to look around and see what they and other customers do to support one another. Remember: A website uses technology and with new browsers and upgrades things can change. Be aware of how they handle change.

    Read the Fine Print

    It's not really fine print: The terms of service agreement on every website application tool is open and available for review at any time. Take a few moments to read through this agreement because you'll have to check that box before you work with the company. Outlined on the service agreement page are the acceptable use policies, fees, licensing agreement and copyrights. It will also outline the company's policies regarding protection against fraud.

    Once you've found an application that meets most of your needs, recognize that a web application will never be perfect. Buying off the shelf means cost-effective, and with this decision you're telling yourself that's the priority. Perfect means custom, and that's a different journey with a different budget. When you're starting out or growing, "compromise" is a word every business owner comes to know. When buying a website in a box, you'll find the right solution for your budget if you understand it's a compromise that will lead you to a successful tomorrow.

    Jennifer Shaheen, the e-marketing and Technology Therapist, has more 10 years experience working with small- to mid-sized businesses on their e-marketing and web development needs. You can learn more about her by visiting her web site, TechnologyTherapy.com

    2009-07-29 16:26:18
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    hcignarella 01:08:11 AM Sep 21 2009

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    hcignarella 01:06:14 AM Sep 21 2009

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    holmantoni 01:00:24 PM Sep 08 2009

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    I choose yola.com it really helped me create a website that I wanted! Check it out. Its still under construction though... www.weddingsbytmarie.com

    oddcarparts 12:58:58 AM Aug 03 2009

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    I use 3 programs to build websites..This best one i use now and the easiest..http://www.show4it.com Anyone with no experience can use this includingowners of there own business.It comes with free hostingwith the program. Check it out now.

    dhardyinfo 09:39:58 PM Aug 02 2009

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    If you feel bogged down by the stress of the wrld their is relief for you today.If you want to give your life to God you can do it right now it is that simple. Js repeat after me.God I thank you right now, and I beieve that you sent your Dear Son Jesus in this world to die on the cross for my sins.God I thank you. God I ask you to forgive me of all my sins right nowGod I beieve that you have forgiven me of all my sins.God I except you into my heart rightI pray this prayer in Jesus' nameAmenThats it your now saved. Find a good church that believes in The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost.This is very imporantIf you can't get o service watch it on T.V.I love T.B.N. and Inspiration ministries, and Joel OlsteenSend me an email if yiu have any questons

    dhardyinfo 09:21:24 PM Aug 02 2009

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    God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.That who ever believe in Him shall not perrish but have everlasting life.John 3:16

    dhardyinfo 09:10:16 PM Aug 02 2009

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    I own my own business, and you can get sights for 9.00 and then you need a host sight too. The host is what makes your sites viral. You can get web sights all day but it needs a host so it can bee seen all over the internet, thats what a host company does. And those are as cheap as 1.99 all dayIf you want to start a internet busines of your own go this sitehtpp://zerofrictionmarketing.com/?hop=ebank101

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    dhardyinfo 08:59:06 PM Aug 02 2009

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    Thanks for the info thought was great

    brook111s 05:19:19 PM Aug 02 2009

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    Luvlawear-- your picture says its from 2007 georgia but it is an awful picture and clearly in the picture it says it was taken on 1-1-2004. nice site but you should change that heading or fix the picture so it doesnt say that because it makes you look like a liar. No offense i enjoyed your input and your webpage

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