Doing A Web Site Or Print Project Yourself - Or Not!
By Brooke Long

Some people want to make their own web sites and print projects. Some say they just cost too much money. If you are interested in learning this field - then go for it! No better way than to just dive right in. If you feel that a few thousand dollars is just too much - but a small amount will only get you a template web site or an amateur print project - then talk to other designers - or talk to me. I know that cost is always a big concern for small businesses. That's why I like to do work with this segment. It does not have to be as much as you think. You don't want your project to look like every one else, and you don't want to spend a lot of money. I keep costs down by having you do a little more leg work…finding photos, writing text, sometimes you handle the submission of your web site to the search engines. If you choose to do these things you will have a project that is very professional yet something that is within your budget. That way you can spend more time doing what you do best.

Knowing html
If you already know html, then you are well on your way to creating your web site. You do not have to buy a program and you have the skills that are necessary to build a web site. What most people find is that they don't have to know just html. They also need to know a thing or two about graphics and how to build them. Knowing how to build them is half of the battle - you will also need to know how to make them so they are not so big, and slow to download.

Knowing what to design
If you are doing something that needs to be printed versus placed on the web, then you have some of the same obstacles and some different ones as well. One of the keys to designing for print or the web is having a consistent look and feel. That is one of the main problems that I see when people create their own web or print projects. Keeping that consistency, not using too many different fonts, different colors and different layouts, is something that a designer already knows and specializes in. So if you want to do your own web site or print projects then find a designer or someone with experience that you can ask questions to and bounce ideas off of.

Programs
Undertaking these projects will require you to purchase several software programs commonly used by designers to facilitate the creation and layout of your project. Some of these include:

Web Design

Print Design

Graphic Design

Keep in mind that there are other things that you will need to deal with to publish a brochure or web site. These include: dealing with internet service providers and web hosting companies, printers and printing companies, as well as managing fonts and colors that will need to be used in the print process. Each different web hosting company or print company will have their own set of requirements for how they will handle your project and what they will require you to provide to them.

Time
This may be the biggest issue yet! Most people NEVER have the time to start, and finish, their projects. It can be hard enough getting your customers and clients to move along - but trying to getting yourself to do it can be next to impossible. It might never get done. Most business people and professionals are just too busy - so this is one thing that gets put off.

This is your business, so make it good
You want to make sure that you spend some time on this and that you make it look really good. It is your business after all, and reflects on your image. We all like to create things ourselves but it can be better to let a professional handle things for you.

A designer knows more because they are the expert…just like you are an expert in your field. If, after talking with me or another designer, you still feel that the cost is too much for your budget and that you can do the work - then go for it! Just remember that I am always happy to help answer any questions that you might have.

To sum up, it can cost a whole lot more to make a print project or web site yourself. By the time that you buy the program(s), learn how to use the program, then learn what you have to do, you may have spent thousands in the program(s) and your time. This is before you even start designing your site or project. This is time you could have been making money by selling your product or service. In the end, many people spend more doing a project themselves, that they don't really like, than they would have by hiring a designer that specializes in working with small businesses and professionals to create a high-quality, attractive web site or print project.