10 Reasons Not to do Your Website In-house

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Colossians 15:16

10 Reasons Not to do Your Website In-house

by Ray Katz and Julie T. Meyer

1. Objectivity
It is human nature to have the least perspective when it comes to the your own dilemmas. A website design firm both specializes in and has extensive experience to draw from when it comes to meeting your business's internet objectives.

2. Focus
And it is pretty tough to develop any type of perspective when you're juggling a website with the day-to-day responsibility of keeping your own clients happy. On the other hand, your site becomes a top priority for an outside web design specialist.

3. Technology
These days, no one can keep abreast of all the technology out there. However, website specialists who utilize applicable technology every hour of every day are more likely to provide you with the knowledge and experience you need for cyber-success.

4. Expertise
And there is more than just technology to the web -- the rules aren't the same as on-site retail or mail order! Only specialists know, from their own extensive training and experience, the best ways to close sales on the web, present information on a web site, interact with users, advertise for optimal traffic, design navigation, etc.

5. Resources
Do you really have numerous and qualified in-house marketers, technologists and writers with enough hours in their schedule to get you online, within budget and on schedule?

6. Politics
Sites designed by outside specialists focus on your objectives and target audience without being derailed by competing departmental agendas.

7. Maintenance
Launching a site is only the beginning of a successful cyber-campaign. Website maintenance requires hours and a skill set different than site development. Will your in-house resources be willing to retrain for "Phase 2"?? Quality firms that specialize in website design maintain dedicated maintenance staff to support their clients 24/7.

8. Unforeseen Glitches
In house web site developers and administrators tend to be reactive. Outside web developers are out of business unless they are proactive when it comes to everything from minor technical issues to major shifts in user habits and requirements.

9. The Wheel
Those outside specialists have already invented and tweaked it. Why start from scratch?

10. Your competitor's horror stories about in-house site design. If you haven't already heard, just ask!

Julie T. Meyer has developed and implemented comprehensive marketing plans for a broad range of businesses including leading accounting, law and technology firms, and numerous divisions of the University of Pennsylvania. She also has years of product development and sales experience.

Ray Katz is one the founding partners of i-site www.i-site.com which has been specializing in innovative web development and consulting to leading healthcare, pharmaceutical and publishing companies, since 1995. Ray directs the ongoing development and implementation of online technologies and standards, and R&D, an awesome task in the face of the rapidly evolving technology.

Julie & Ray are delighted to provided complimentary copies of "Guidelines for Web Site Writing" to all requests received at info@i-site.com.