Yes, time IS money, and how many small biz folks, who are already stretched to the limit, since they must wear every hat (president, chief clerk and bottlewasher), has time to through away on
properly learning web development (graphics, design, layout, color theory, information flow, useability, accessibility, html, css, ftp, seo, database driven php/mysql: just to name a few skills - grin)???
Yes, there are a lot of so-called webdev firms out there (aka idiots) who have ripped off countless businesses. But the entire industry is not evil or just out to steal money. I know that
I am not, as a webdev pro 9 years and counting (wouldn't be able to count 9 years if I was a crook or an idiot).
That said, DIY is fine, if it's something you want to spend a LOT of time on (you got time, knock yourself out). There are thousands of recipe websites, and chefs/restaurants around the world are not quaking in their boots at the thought. So these types of websites don't threaten me - but they do sadden me a lot.
Why? I learned the basics of chess at a young age - took abotu 10 minutes to learn how all the pieces can move. But that did not make me a chess master. I also learned there are 8 notes in a musical scale - that's it. But that doesn't make me the next great composer, or even a mediocre one.
What I mean to say is learning the basics from a book or website tutorial is great, but don't fool yourself into thinking your going to build a website that people actually can find via a search engine, and then when they arrive, will want to stick around and interact with it (or even can!).
Sure, some people will do just that - make a great website all by themselves. No doubt. Just as some weekend-kitchen-warriors could put together an amazing meal, 9 courses, make Emeril jealous. But those are exceptions, not the rule.
The rule is, web dev is not easy, not learned in a weekend, and costs you far more in lost income, lost time, and lost customers if you do it wrong. Don't you have about a bazillion other things to do than build a website for your business?
I hire and enjoy the services of experts outside my field: my accountant, my lawyer, even the folks that hem my pants at the cleaners - I have no idea how to do that, but they do, and do it well, and I am happy to pay for the service and convenience.
On top of all that, this website in question has a few flaws:
1. it suggests one use templates (pre-designed websites). I've purchased a few 'nice looking' templates, just to see what was under the hood. It burns, even with the goggles on! Horribly structured nested tables as far as the eye can see - so 1999, and so hard to maintain, and worse for search engines trying to drill for content, buried under layers and layers of bad coding.
2. put ads on your website. Even this website has some
censored ads running in the boxes. You want that? Or maybe you want other restaurants advertising on your website? (very strong possibility if you don't know how to set it all up properly). And why run ads to TAKE PEOPLE AWAY, when you worked so hard to get them TO your website. The basic premise is flawed.
3. and if all else fails (which it will - I think that's almost built in assumption), call us (the website owner) - we do websites cheap. Which defeats the DIY angle, no? (again, that's what I think is really the purpose).
So yes, feel free to throw rocks at the professional webdev person kicking the DIY website. But that's not really the case, if you carefully read what I wrote. DIY is great, if you
CAN DYI (grin). But don't fool yourself that you're saving any money by not paying the mean old webdev person - what's your TIME worth for a truly professional website that is search engine friendly, ranks well, is easy to navigate, fast to download, simple to maintain and looks great too?
In the end, bad or no design will cost you far more than a well designed website.
(the cheap comes out expensive).
Mike
