Many of the people who start online businesses learn how to build their own websites and promote them by reading books, attending online seminars, or networking with friends and colleagues. Just because you can do all this does not mean you have to. Ask yourself how many hats you want to wear. Often, you are better off hiring help, either to advise you in the ares where are weak or simply to help you tackle the growing workload. My purpose with this article is to offer some advice to help you in making the right decisions when hiring help.
I have often stated that I would not want to be the first one to find my way across a minefield. I view the Internet no differently. It often pays to have professionals point you in the right direction and help you develop an effective Web presence. Many businesspeople who work alone (myself included) hire more knowledgeable than myself to do website design or programming work that would be impossible to tackle otherwise.
Do not be bashful about hiring professional help in order to get your venture online. The Internet is full of firms that specialize in Web development and perform several vital functions: provide customers with Web access, website creation, and hosting sites on their own servers. The expenses for these services may be considerable up front, but these days with so many Web development companies competing you may be able to find a good deal. Contact a few and get bids. Check out jobs that are currently involved in as well as jobs that have done previously. Ask them for references you can call as well. Tell them your business plan, and carefully spell out what you want each page to do. It pays to surround yourself with competent help and let them handle the technical aspects of your site.
Another area where you may want to find help is in the area of computer networking and maintenance. For small or start-up enterprises this may not make sense. Keep in mind that you can always obtain these services at a later date. Finding these professionals is easier than you think. My graphic designer lives a couple miles away. The programmer I use lives around the corner from him. Ask around and you will find that there are probably people in your neighborhood who posses the skills and certifications you need.
Early on, when you have plenty of time to do planning, you probably will not feel a pressing need to hire others to help you. Many people wait to seek help until it becomes too late. A deadline approaches or a financial crunch arises. Waiting is okay as long as you realize that you may need help down the road. Of course, you do not need to hire local talent, but you do need to locate people who are reliable and can make a long-term
commitment to your project.
In closing keep these things in mind:
Pick someone who already exhibits high-tech experience
Use the same hiring practices as those you would use offline. Ask for a resume, get three references, and ask for samples of the candidates work.
Pick someone who responds promptly and provides the talent you need.
Unless you are one of those rare uber-talented individuals who master things quickly I advise you to put together a team you can afford but, more importantly, are comfortable with.
Chuck Lunsford is a moderately successful Internet Marketing practitioner with 10-plus years of
do it yourself website software experience. Visit JustGoDoItYourself.com and learn to do just about any
diy home repair and improvement projects. For a private consult contact Chuck at 239-340-2297
