The document discusses various methods for building a website, including template builders, open source solutions, third-party services, and e-commerce builders, highlighting their estimated costs and required expertise. It emphasizes the importance of understanding specific business needs, budget, and intended audience before selecting a website development tool. Lastly, it provides a comparison of delivery methods along with their pros and cons to aid in decision-making.

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WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
Deciding which tools to use from do-it-yourself to robust hosted
solutions. Build your website with the right tool for the job.
CREATING A WEBSITE

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Ask Yourself…
Who is the audience you are trying to reach?
What are the objectives of your website?
What is your budget?
Where are your customers located?
Why is your website important?
When would you like to launch the site?
Have a clear understanding of your websites’ needs before deciding
which tools should be used to bring your business website online.

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Learning Objectives
• Identify the various forms of website delivery.
• Isolate key features of each delivery method.
• Estimate website pricing.
• Become familiar with various front-end interfaces (editors).
• Review pros and cons.

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Development Types

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Template Builder
• The most user friendly avenue for creating a website. Usually
requires no knowledge of coding language.
• Template sites can be created and live within 24 hours.
• For cell phone users a template builder site provides a sleek mobile
design which may be entirely different from the full resolution site.
Examples:
– Weebly
– Squarespace
– Wix

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Template Builder
Estimated Pricing
Approx. $10 a month.
Includes: Hosting, Domain Name, Site Builder, Basic Themes.
• E-Commerce features cost extra. What you see is what you get,
pre-built themes are often limited in customization.

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Template Builder
Drag and drop template builder front-end interface

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Template Builder
• Many pre-built themes
• Mobile friendly (responsive)
• Drag and drop setup
• Live in 24 hours
• In house hosting
Pros Cons
• Themes can be expensive
• Less customizable
• Less suited for blogs
• Low sales volume
E-Commerce, costs more to
implement many products

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Open Source
• Open source can be setup by a web hosting service. Select a
theme for your open source setup and begin editing your site.
• The most cost effective solution for creating a website.
Requires the most knowledge of web design and coding.
• Many free plugins are available.
Examples:
– WordPress
– Joomla
– ExpressionEngine

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Open Source
Estimated Pricing
Approx. $5 a month.
Includes: Website Manager (CMS).
• Hosting included in pricing. Professional pre-built themes cost
extra. Free plugins allow for inexpensive E-Commerce solutions
and many features that are included in more expensive web
builders.

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Open Source
Text/HTML/CSS editor open source front-end interface

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Open Source
• Extremely customizable
• Mobile design for each device
resolution
• Cost effective
• Useful for any website, blog,
or E-Commerce solution
Pros Cons
• Knowledge of code required
• Lengthy design process
• Lack of support
• SSL and PCI Compliance
fees for E-Commerce.

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Third-party
• Cloud designed infrastructure gives companies access to auto
scaling servers. Pay only for the amount of traffic generated.
• Requires dedicated staff to manage and operate the site.
• Eliminates the need for in house servers.
Examples:
– Amazon Web Services
– VoltDB
– Microsoft Azure

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Third-party
Estimated Pricing
Approx. $50 to $120 a month.
Includes: Cloud based dedicated server. Ability to host multiple
websites for larger companies.
• Access company files from anywhere through a fully cloud
based infrastructure. Great for highly mobile employees.

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Third-party
• No server down time
• Scalable to meet any business
demand
• Access company files
anywhere through the cloud
• No in house server needed
Pros Cons
• Dedicated database IT staff
required
• Lengthy design process
• Mobile design not standard
• SSL and PCI compliance fees
for E-Commerce

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E-Commerce Builder
• Easily connect web based sales with store sales.
• All website and hosting costs under one pricing plan.
• Provides a sleek all-in-one setup for any E-Commerce solution.
Examples:
– Shopify
– Big Commerce
– Magento Go

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E-Commerce Builder
Estimated Pricing
Approx. $30 a month.
Includes: Hosting, Domain Name, Site Builder, Basic Themes,
Shopping Cart, SSL, PCI Compliance.
• Many E-Commerce Builders offer custom POS systems and
support in store sales.

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E-Commerce Builder
Product editor E-Commerce Builder front-end interface

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E-Commerce Builder
• All-in-one pricing
• E-Commerce friendly
• Mobile friendly themes
• In-house hosting
• Suited for both in-store and
online sales
Pros Cons
• Very basic free themes with
expensive premium themes
• Lack of free plugins
• Proprietary code editor
• Hidden fees related to
credit card processing

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Comparison Table
Template Builder Open Source E-Commerce Builder Third-party
Approx. $15 /mo. Approx. $5 /mo. Approx. $30 /mo. Approx. $50-$120 /mo.
Novice Advanced Intermediate Expert
Minimal Support Supported Supported Supported
Limited Flexible Limited Very Flexible
Phone, E-mail, Website Forums Phone, E-mail, Website Forums
Cost
Experience
E-Commerce
Flexibility
Support

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Takeaway
• There are many different options for building a website.
• First identify the type of website required by your business.
• Create a budget and decide how quickly you would like your
website to be published.
• Review the Pros and Cons of each website solution and choose
the delivery method which suits your needs.