Insight: Web Business
2010, it's the future. Sure we don't have flying cars, hover boards, or starships, but we do have the Internet, extremely advanced mobile technologies, dozens of Web languages, and much more excellent goodness that we often take for granted via expectations, lack of knowledge, or through fear of technology. I don't believe any true technological device should be ignored. One in particular stands out, right now, as one that can no longer be taken advantage of, taken for granted, or ignored, especially for business owners. Web development and design are evolving, and changing the rules as to what can make and break a company. Some may say it's safer to simply not have a site; some say they just want something simple and cheap; while others know that the Internet is, indeed, serious business. Even more so, there are mixed breeds of knowledge types when it comes to web technologies, how they should be leveraged, executed, and deployed. Some people think they know exactly what they want because a source (credible or not) gave them ideas and now they must have those ideas, yesterday. Some people have enough computer knowledge to do more than operate it, and leverage their skill to drive their needs for their web presence. Some people know a friend that built a web site for a little league team in 2002, and then think this friend is the best source for listing out what the Internet is capable of, and how it can help their business.
Enthusiasm for technology is excellent, and exciting, but it shouldn't be used in lieu of expertise. In fact, knowing a little, and being excited about that could be used to find how much more exciting it really is. My first piece of advise; if you're in business, and interested in (or currently on) the web, I urge you to find an expert and ask them for some quality consultation time. Write down what you know, what your friend's cousin told you, what you think is involved, and find someone to guide you through the ins and outs. Why? For a few reasons. First, it's important for the success of your web site for you to know what is going to go into it, and you should absolutely have a clear vision on what it takes to do certain things on the web. Second, you should be able to walk into a web project with a good idea of what you'd like your site to do for you or your company. You should be armed with a series of educated questions, and at least a small list of things you like that are relevant to the goals of your site. What does this do for you? It prepares you to not only plan for website that will best benefit your company and business goals, but you'll also have enough background to find a qualified person to help you get it done. If you find an expert, that truly understands web technology, and you truly understand your business goals, you should be able to piece together a good scope and plan to make your site project work for you, in a timeline that makes sense to you. I typed this with my thumb. There's more to this but, perhaps, when I have a keyboard and not this phone.
