Should You Program Web Site Yourself?

Many prospective web site owners are not sure whether to build site on their own or hire someone else to do the job. Your decision will depend on several factors.

1.) Time Needed To Build Web Site

Let's say you have to build sophisticated E-Commerce web site within a short period of time and don't know much about web programming. In this case, you are better off hiring someone else to build the site for you.

However, if you want to create a personal or relatively simple business site and have some time to complete the task, you should learn web programming and build the site yourself.

2.) What Programming Languages Do You Have To Know And How To Learn Them

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the most popular web programming language. Most web sites use HTML at least in part. You don't need any previous background in programming to learn HTML.

There are several ways to study HTML. You can probably find HTML classes in your local community college or take continuing education course. If you are lucky enough to have friends or relatives who are web programmers, ask them to give you a few lessons.

Another option is to study HTML through books and on-line tutorials. Therer are two excellent HTML books: 1.) Creating a Web Page With HTML: Visual QuickProject Guide by Elizabeth Castro and 2.) Using HTML 6th Edition by Molly E. Holzschlag (this book was published in 1999, but it is still a great HTML guide).

BignoseBird.com and PageTutor.com are some of the best on-line tutorials available.

Later on, you might learn other web programming languages such as JavaScript and ASP, but you have to focus on HTML for now.

3.) Is It Worth All The Trouble?

Learning HTML is definitely worth the trouble for several reasons. First of all, even a small business site may cost you as much as couple thousand dollars. Second, even if you decide to hire someone to build a site for you, you will have to make some changes to your site in the future. Do you want to pay someone to make even a slight change to your web site? In addition, you can make some money with your HTML expertise by programming and improving other people sites.

Overall, you put yourself in winning situation when you know at least some HTML. HTML programming enables you to have a better control of your site, save money and help others to create web pages.

P.S. Read about how to choose your web host in Web Hosting Advice section, and how to promote web site in Web Site Marketing section.