How to Hire the Right Web Developer: Part 2–Tools For Success

Posted: February 16th, 2009 | Filed under: Business and Entrepreneurship, Leverage and Outsourcing, Web Design, Web Programming | Tags: , , |

In the first part of this two-part article, we explore how to set yourself up to succeed when finding your ideal web solution, from defining your ideal outcomes and results to doing some competitive research and analysis.

Now in Part 2, we use the research gathered to compare what we have and where we want to go with the tools and services now available.

I’ve found in my experience that most solo-preneurs and entrepreneurs tend to fall into one of the following categories, or “types”:

This article is going to focus on how you, the entrepreneur, solopreneur, home-based business, and small to medium sized business can leverage tools and services online.

——-
Type 1: Give Me The Tools
If you hear yourself saying, “I just want to do it all myself, leave me alone but give me some great tools!” this may be your group.

Website Building Tools:
www.weebly.com
[ bigblackbag.com ] one-time setup fee + ~$25/mo

Sign up online, and you can have a website running by day’s end.

Blog Building Tools:
wordpress.com
blogger.com
typepad.com

The tools above are the three most popular blog-building tools. Again, sign up online and you can be running and writing your first blog post in minutes.

E-Commerce Tools:
PayPal.com

Combined with a free website from Weebly, or a free blog from the above services, you can simply embed Paypal’s “Buy Now” buttons onto your page and start collecting money online right away.

E-Mail Marketing and Relationship Building Tools:
ConstantContact.com

E-mail marketing is an ideal way to build a relationship with your clients, to share with them your tools and techniques, and also to open a dialogue to see what they are interested in.

ConstantContact.com is a popular way to begin your e-mail marketing journey.

Social Network Creation Tools:
Ning.com

Social networks used to be a very labor instensive, very specific, and very time intensive process. Now, sites like Ning.com allow you to get started right away – add your favorite modules, and start making friends on your very own social network.

Type 2: Give Me The Tools, and Show Me What To Do With Them
The above tools are great, but sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of assurance when setting them up or installing them.

You may find yourself in this group if you hear yourself saying, “I want some hand-holding – I have an idea of what I want, but would enjoy a bit of guidance”
“I want to be coached through this process so I can learn what to do, then do it on my own later”

For instance, which check box allows me to accept purchases with Paypal, rather than setting up a more costly merchant account?
Or, Is Paypal the better option for MY business, or a merchant account?

Does this design add to, or distract from, what I am trying to communicate through my site?

Sometimes, selecting your tools and finding a coach or mentor’s guidance can look like 1) finding a template, then 2) enlisting the help of your web coach to set that template up for you.

Here are a few resources for templates. Both sites below have the option of purchasing the design rights, such that no-one else can use that design again (thus, making that design unique to you!).
www.flashmint.com
www.templatemonster.com

Type 3: Website Concierge, Just Take Care Of This For Me!
If the thought of selecting the best tool from the list above seems overwhelming,

Or if you simply don’t have the time to sort through the pros and cons of each option,

Finding a Website Concierge to handle your online and marketing needs may be the best solution.

You may hear yourself saying, “I want guidance on how to best present what I do in a way that is going to make me money. Take care of all the technical stuff for me!”

A good Website Concierge will present the pros and cons to you, and allow you to make an educated decision based on facts and knowing where you want to go and what you want to achieve online. Similar to a butler, concierge, or fashion stylist selecting the best watch (Rolex, Tag Heuer, AP?) for the Black Tie event, or choosing the best shoes (Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo?) for the Awards Ceremony.

Type 4: I Am Serious, I Am Ready, I Want This Done Right, and I Want The Best Design, Marketing, and Technology Partner To Support The Building Of My Business!
If you hear yourself saying, “I’m just starting to build business (online and offline), finding clients, and building lists. I want to know what’s out there, I am serious, and I am ready to go!”
or, “I have a direction, I have products, I want a PARTNER to work with through this.”

A one-on-one business building program can walk you through each step of the website process, from identifying your target, to defining end goals, to weeding out the plethora of options out there in order to focus on the handful that will make a difference to your business and your success.

This program is for serious entrepreneurs and CEOs who want to be sure not only the tools they are using, but their business directions are headed the right way.

This level of partnership is common among most medium sized and large sized corporations opt for – a partnership between their own companies and an interactive agency who can deliver on the most specific, unique, or complex of online launches.

—–

For all of your coaching needs, you can search online at:
Elance.com
RentACoder.com

Each of the above have many website builders who can assist with your website needs.

Additionally, we offer coaching, consulting, programming, and design at all levels, so feel free to contact me at website@cynthialou.com for more information!

Happy Website Building!

Leave a Reply