Many companies that are in search of an affordable
web site fall victim to large vendors that offer a service
to let you build your own web site. In many instances, these
quickie sites have a number of pitfalls that should make
any person considering them take a long second look.
Large Internet corporations have gotten into
the business of selling easy-to-use web site authoring programs
(usually operated through your Internet browser). Hosting
in many cases is bundled with the initial purchase. These
programs allow a client to pick various designs and layouts
and will allow for various types of fonts and sizes for
text. Given the interface, you can add your content and
images. Unfortunately more often than not, you are corralled
into using their overall design templates and therefore
cannot express any desire for creativity. For example, maybe
you have a great idea about having an image map of the USA
so users can find how much shipping is going to cost from
their location? Well, if your "web site service"
does not offer such functionality, then you are stuck.
Another aspect of the all-in-one web site
tools that are marketed is the fact that many will not let
you post a site built in HTML onto their hosting space.
There take on it is: "We offered you our creation package
with the hosting. So if you don't use the creator, you can't
use our hosting. Nana, nana, boo boo." Again, these
are limitations that you will most likely have to put up
with. Now in some cases, it may be a realistic solution
to choose such a service. The costs are usually very low
(since they are doing little or no actual design work on
your specific site). If you need to get some sort of web
presence out there, they can be an option to consider, but
just remember; you will give up flexibility and design creativity
for the bargain price you pay.
