DIY websites - flexible money savers or false economy?

DIY websites - flexible money savers or false economy?
The question of whether to go it alone with your website
design using a template package, or whether to work with a
professional website designer can be a tricky one for life
coaches.

The reasons that coaches give for taking the DIY route
almost always focus on two particular areas: saving money
and maintaining flexibility. So let's take a look at some
of the related pros and cons...

** Saving money **

Okay, so you can't afford to pay thousands for an
all-singing, all-dancing website with bells, whistles and
heaven knows what else? But the good news is that you don't
actually need a fancy website to get clients.

What you do need is a clean, professional-looking website
that encourages visitors to leave you their name and email
address details.

If you can create just such an attractive, business-like,
contact-gathering website using a low-cost template
package, then great... go for it! And even if you can't get
the professional look yourself, you could try using the low
cost template option as an initial testing ground to help
you develop your ideas.

But make sure you don't get seduced by the potentially
false economy of the DIY option. It doesn't have to cost a
lot to get a simple website designed professionally. But it
might cost you heavily in missed business if you don't.

** Maintaining flexibility **

How about the benefits of control and flexibility? Well
it's true that if you've designed your own website, you
then have the freedom to make changes and updates as often
as you like. This is a definite plus.

But what if you want to make upgrades to your website that
you either don't know how to implement, or your template
package doesn't support? Then you find yourself stuck in a
distinctly inflexible place, unable to move your business
forward because a lack of technological ability is blocking
your way.

So before you opt for the DIY route, have a think about
where you want your client-attracting website to take your
business. What expansion and development routes do you have
in mind? Will your template provider be able to support
your requirements? Are you likely to have the time and the
know-how to do it all yourself?

** Making profitable use of your time **

Saving money and maintaining flexibility are very good
reasons for designing and managing your own website if they
truly work in your favour. But what about your time?
There's always that question: how else could you be using
your time and energy to grow your business if you weren't
doing your own website design work?

As Bernadette Doyle advocates... outsourcing is the way to
go if you want to make a real difference and free yourself
up for the important revenue producing activities.

My advice for most life coaches, then, is to find yourself
a good website designer who will produce a clean and
professional site to your specifications. This doesn't have
to cost a lot of money, particularly if you are crystal
clear about your requirements. The update process doesn't
have to be costly either - just make sure you agree in
advance how it will work and what the charges will be.

All that said... I know that a rare few do exist who
positively relish learning new IT skills, who are
technologically adept AND who have a good design eye. So if
you are one of that happy breed, then who am I to persuade
you away from the fun and flexibiity of DIY website design?

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To find out about the Websites That Get Clients programme -
the Definitive Step By Step Guide to Creating Your First
Life Coaching Website with Easy Confidence - go to
http://www.WebsitesThatGetClients.com