In my beginning Post I spoke about creating lists of things to do and prioritizing the order to do those things in.
When you build a Web Site, there are a ton of things to do and, as a Newbie, (I hate that title, if you say it fast it sounds like NewMeat, and that’s exactly the way I felt when I asked questions at product presentations) the to-do list is overwhelming. The main question that kept coming back to me was;
OKAY! – THERE’S A LOT TO DO … SO! … WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST ?
Now that I have a little more experience I have a whole lot of empathy and understanding for those who are still asking that same question.
I am going to digress just a little before I get into the specifics of the physical build of the site you are hoping to put on-line.
There is an old adage that says, “In order to successfully complete anything in life you need to possess, “The Need, The Desire and The Ability To Pay, and The Ability To Pay is measured in Time or Dollars”.
So..The answer to the question, “What Do You Do First”. Well; that depends on when you ask yourself, or anybody else, that question.
If you asked me that question, when you first decided you wanted a Web Site, I would have answered you back by asking, “Why do you want a Web Site” and, “What will your Web Site be all about”.
- Is your Web Site going to support an Opportunity
- Is your Web Site going to support a Strategy
- Is your Web Site some combination of the above
Sounds a little silly asking those questions but your answers are critical to the success of the site you plan to build, or are in the process of building.
Let me give you some examples:
If you are building your site solely as a general product site, or an “OH-By-The-Way” site to sell newly released or seasonal products that have come on the market, that’s fine. Your readers will understand what your site is all about, and your model will be established. You are primarily taking an Opportunistic approach to Web Site Construction.
If you are building a Web Site to support an on-going Business Enterprise, there will be more of a strategic approach to your efforts. Updates to the site will be, more likely, towards building a Business image rather than just product sales. Don’t get me wrong Businesses have products for sale as well, but generally a Business site is more direction oriented as to where the business is going. Business Needs are Strategic.
A Blog site can be any combination of the above.
So, I guess to answer the questions, “Why do you want a Web Site” and, “What will the Web Site be all about”. You could answer by saying:
My site will be Opportunistic and will be all about products. I am going to look everywhere for new and exciting products to sell.
My site will be Strategic and will address building my Business image while promoting my specific Business Products and Services.
Either answer is a valid answer and will drive your efforts to follow through.
If you have answered your initial questions and you are satisfied with your answers, you have defined, The Need and The Desire part of the equation. The next part is a little more difficult to commit to.
Do you have, “The Ability To Pay”. Or better phrased, are you willing and able to do whatever is necessary to see it through. Are you willing to take the time to learn whatever you need to learn to be able to build your own site?
Or, are you willing and able to pay to have the site completed for you and; are you willing and able to live with the services that are provided?.
There are tough choices to make. There are combination’s that are very effective. You can build part of your site and buy what’s left over. Very few of us know everything and are proficient enough to do it all. But the one thing every successful Web Builder has is the commitment to finish what they start.
Everything I have on-line is a combination of build and buy, (I do not do graphics well). But I saw everything through.
Okay enough philosophic blather. (more…)
