Wahm Based Website Considerations

Writen by Stewart McCauley

Have you thought about creating your own website, but thought it was way too much trouble or too much money. The truth is, it can be hard, but it can also be easy. You need to ask yourself the exact purpose of the website. Five basic questions to ask yourself as to before undertaking your own site, are:

• What is your budget?
• Do you know any HTML, PHP, XML or able to work with graphics?
• What is your audience?
• Will the site have static or dynamic content? (i.e. will it be updated on a regular basis)
• Are you going to depend on search engines to bring in traffic?

The five somewhat simple questions can mean the difference from a highly popular site to a site that may get 1 hit a year. I know women that are in direct sales pay a good amount to have a semi-hosted web page with their direct sales company. Due to the terms of service with these companies, some companies do no allow women in direct sales to have external websites to list their products. When I say external websites, I mean your own domain name, hosted and setup by you. Here are two examples of company hosted and non-company or personal hosted sites:

Company Hosted
• www.xyzcompany.com/yourname
• yourname.xyzcompany.com
• www.xyzcompany.com/index.php?=userid=yourname


Non-Company Hosted or Personal Site
• www.yourname.com
• product1.yourname.com
• product2.yourname.com

When you have a company that you sale products for host your website, trust me, they are making money off you. Some offer them for free which is great, but a lot charge a monthly fee which only you know if it pays for itself. Here are some a list of a few PROS/CONS of direct sales company hosting your site:

PROS
• Easy to setup.
• Easy product updates.
• Semi-custom layout.
• Product catalogs integrated.
• Automated Shopping Cart.

CONS
• Cost
• No flexibility to do what you want with site content.
• Generic site look. (looks like every other direct sales consultant)
• Not able to list other products you may offer.
• Search Engines will not index and track correctly. (more on this later)
• Low traffic.

Both the PROS/CONS almost balance each other out, but again you have to ask yourself what the website is used for and how much you are willing to put into it.

How much headache are you willing to put up with and how fast do you want a website ready for the public. Are you thinking long term or just something to get by with? I know you would like to have a super cool, all-in-one; website that has everything including the kitchen sink, but I have to inform you, it can be hard work, but in the long run more profitable.

I know I keep stressing the question of asking yourself what and why, but it is very important you know what you want. Not only is it important to start off on the right foot, but it can save you a ton of money and a ton of frustration. If you are not sure of which way you should go, ask around, tell people your idea even if they know nothing about websites, talk to family members, talk to other direct sales consultants. Try to get a feel for the task that you want to under take. Other direct sales consultants will be able to tell you, if having a hosted website by their direct sales company is cost effective.

Author: Stewart McCauley About the Author: Stewart McCauley has been in the Technology Industry for 16 years, dating back to the old days of BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) before anyone knew what the Internet was. He has worked with the latest technologies in many job markets and helped many companies pick the correct technology for their needs. He is constantly staying on top the latest web based trends and always trying to convey to the simple users how they can use the new technologies to benefit and better themselves. 2Digital Technologies (http://www.2digital.com ) is his consulting firm. His latest project has been helping women in all walks of life get the most out of the Internet (http://www.momssource.com)