5. Build your Site
You may consider that you already have the skills to now build your web site and if it is a fairly basic site this may be true. Plus there are a number of simple to use editors, but these have a tendency to produce poorly coded pages which usually result in longer download times. Do you have the time to do it yourself? If your site is a little more complex, including frames and forms or a database backend or e-commerce, this is usually the realm of the professional.

For more information, applications and links about E-Commerce check out our e-commerce page

There are many design issues and techniques which a professional can assist; optimized graphics, consistent and easy to use navigation, browser compliance, use of JavaScript or plugins, weighting of pages and site testing to name a few.

The best way to start is to sit down with a pen and paper and rough-out each page of your site and map out the relationships between the pages and navigation.

Remember also that once your site is online the work does not end there. You must update and add new information regularly.