I am starting an online children's clothing boutique, and I am trying to figure out who should make my site. There are several online design firms who can design my site for me for a good price, such as Volusion. But I feel like a real life designer might do a better job. Any insight?

It's a question we'd all have a different answer for. Bottom line is that whoever you get, the site should be user friendly, secure, and have a shopping cart.

Above all though is Search Engine Optimization. You can have the best site in the world but if nobody sees it, because the search engines aren't aware of it, it won't matter how good it is.

I'd say before you make any decisions on developing a website you learn all you can about SEO...it's a science unto itself.
Good luck
Denny

Thanks for you input. I will research SEO.

The main complaint made by folks on several business lists I am on, is when they leave the ability to make updates to their site, to that original designer. You want to own your design, have the ability to upload new photos and text content, and not have to request this to be done by someone you have a contract with, imho.

I am fortunate, my dh and I did all the design, I can make changes any time and upload them as needed.

Whatever choices you make, keep KISS in mind. Keep it simple and easy to navigate. You want the number of clicks it takes to purchase to be very few, you want fast loading pages, you want a well laid out design where it is easy to understand how to shop, where policies are listed, shipping info, etc. For features, consider what you look for and most appreciate when you are shopping online.

Pat and Alix P. Curl

Hi there,

If you need an inexpensive domain and I think you can check into Global Domain International - not 100% sure if they can help you with a website, but what I understood they do have that possibility - you can check it out :

Go under

http://website.ws/magicalmoney

I repeat I am not 100% sure, but I have a video from them and they talked about making websites, but please I have no idea. You could get a domain from them for your website though which would cost you only 10 bucks a month and meanwhile earn money through that domain for anyone who signs in -so that could be a plus for you for using their domain website site. check into that part.

all the best,
barbara

"Only losers buy Leads"

http://www.payitforward4profits.com/magicalmoney

Hi there,

I am a web developer and a SEO specialist. I am giving 20% off my rates to business idea cafe members. My rates are also very reasonable and I'd be happy to show your my portfolio. PLease email me at streams500@gmail.com thank you!

First of all you sound like you need the services of a professional website company. Alot of people say that you can build your own website and get great results. Anybody can build a website but not everybody can build a website that attracts customers and makes them want to use your service. Learning about web design takes alot of time to learn and also to build if you want it done right. And web design programs can be hard to learn, expensive and doesnt mean you will know anything about how to build the best kind of website.

Alot of people might disagree with what im saying, which is perfectly fine. But a true professional will know how to do the best job on your site. Would you hire a plumber to do surgery on you? Or would you hire a surgeon to do plumbing? Also another myth that you will hear is that website development is extremely expensive. I recently talked to a client who was surprised to get a quote from me for a website alot cheaper than the competition.

My company is legally registered to provide web services in NY State. Also we provide fast and honest service along with a legal contract to protect you and provide peace of mind.

I will look over your site, tell you whats wrong, fix it, help you with affordable and reliable hosting and guarantee you a quality job that you can look over before having to pay for it.

You can contact us at contactbizenez@bizenez.com
And dont be afraid to send us a message asking any question you may have. Even if you don't pay for any of our services we will offer answers to your questions free of charge. You can see our portfolio at www.bizenez.com

Hi, you have a lot of comments on your topic, so I hope I'm not too late... but I go to school for business now, and there is a guy in my Calculus for Business class who designs really awesome sites. He is a business student like me, and has started his own web design business. His site is www.clearnotionsstudio.com . I was really impressed with his work, and he charges a lot less than any other place I've seen!

Hope this helps!

Amy Driscoll