2.) Editing images and graphics

Editing images would involve changing image colors, add/remove image layers, add/change text used in images etc. In order to make changes to images used in web template you would need to use PSD file. Almost all template providers would supply you with a PSD file (although some may charge you extra for file). PSD file is basically a layered file that is created using Adobe PhotoShop. This file is compatible with many graphic editing programs. Some good programs that can be used to edit PSD files are Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7, Ulead PhotoImpact 7 & 8, ImageReady and of course Photoshop. For more information on PSD files you can visit adobe.com.

In case you don’t have access to any of above mentioned software programs for editing templates, you may request your web template provider to give you BMP files instead of PSD files. A BMP file is a high quality bitmap image file that can be edited using any image editing software program.

Handy tips

1.) Change color of images to suite and enhance your text visibility 2.) If needed you can also replace images used in templates to add your own professional images. (One good website from where you can get professional images is ‘gettyimages.com’)

3.) Editing styles of a template

CSS style sheets are ones that allow you to make changes to style of webpage like changing font color, line and paragraph spacing, font size, link color etc. Style sheets are useful as they allow you to make changes to many WebPages by altering one document. CSS can be edited using any Html editor or text editor. Although there are some specialized programs available that are meant specifically for editing CSS Stylesheets like ‘TopStyle’ (bradsoft.com).

There are many web template providers who offer internal style sheets or multiple font styles. It is difficult to edit internal style sheets and therefore is not recommended. Always make sure to go for template providers who offer you with external CSS Style Sheets.

Handy tips

1.) Make sure to use contrasting text and background colors 2.) Make sure to use same font type through out a webpage. Making use of different font types can make reading difficult. Arial and veranda are best suited for online reading. 3.) Never use justification for your text as it can make reading difficult. 4.) Provide a site map

Quality tutorials to help you with HTML

If you are not familiar with html/CSS and need some start up lessons then there are plenty of free resources available over internet that will allow you to do just that. Some of best ones are ‘w3cschools.com’ and ‘webmonkey.com’. W3cschools offers best tutorials for html where as webmonkey offers best tutorial for CSS Style-sheets (just type ‘Mulder's Stylesheets Tutorial’ in a search engine like google or yahoo! to reach directly to tutorial page). For getting knowledge about web usability you can refer to ‘http://www.usability.gov/guidelines’. For researching keywords for your website content you can refer wordtracker.com or overtune.com. There are also many sites that give step by step instructions on how to edit templates. One good site worth visiting in this regard is ‘template-help.com’.

Author Description

http://www.icongalore.com is a quality web portal that offers high quality professional software icons. Their XP style icon come at extremely affordable prices and can be used for web designing, software applications and print media.

Author Description

Many businesses have an employee dedicated to tend to their webmaster needs. They work on salary and can perform many different functions within your organization. You can also have freelancers bid on your project and work within your budget. This is a very popular approach since fall of dot.com. Many highly qualified designers are looking for work and will do a stand up job within your budget.

Pros:

• Knowledgeable professional working on your site within your budget • Free up your time to do your business

Cons:

• Risk of how knowledgeable and dependable freelancer is that is working with you on your site • You will only get what was bided on within their skill set.

Results:

If you get a quality designer that is freelancing you will have a very quality web site. If you specify your needs and have proper budget you should see some return on your investment.

Web Design Firm

Hiring a design firm that specializes in business development is a smart decision. They have expertise and focus on developing you a web site for your business that is geared to accomplish your goals.

Pros:

• Professional design team knowledgeable of how to develop a business site that sells. • Free up your time to do your business

Cons:

• Risk getting a quality design firm that will do a quality job • Some design firms will not be ethical after payment • Some design firms will leave your project to you to market after design is complete

Results:

You will have a professionally designed site with functional structure and components to generate business. If design firm is quality it will be a higher closing rate once visitors come to your site. Many design firms have people versed in marketing that can give you tips on how to bring traffic to your site. This will be priced higher than other methods but will bring higher results.

eMarketing Firm

The final way to get your business online is employing services from an eMarketing firm. These firms provide you an online solution customized to your business model which will include web development, online software application and Internet marketing. This typically is most expensive out of seven methods but it is most complete solution for most business that needs an effective online presence.

Pros:

• Professional design team knowledgeable of how to develop a business site with sales copy, search engine optimization and a marketing strategy to generate targeted visitors to your site • Free up your time to do your business • Staff of experts that keep up with all changes in online marketplace • You will have a marketing plan for your online strategy

Cons:

• Typically more expensive than other methods

Results:

Once again you will have a professionally designed site with functional structure and components to generate business. You will also have a marketing plan with strategies to generate business through your site. Return on Investment (ROI) is typically gained in a shorter period of time.

Conclusion

Many have been told myth, “Build a business web site and they will come”, which proved to fail many businesses eager to expand. To see how to put your business online with no cost you must first understand what cost means in contrast to price. Price defines amount of purchase where cost represents end result. To better explain this I will give you an example.

If you paid $100 for a web site that generates you no business in a year then how much did site cost you? If you paid $1000 for same site but that site brought you $100 a month for a year, how much did that site cost?

The first site cost you $100 after a year were second site paid you $1200 at end of year and cost you nothing. Actually site paid you $200 for having it. Makes sense. The only guaranteed way to get a site for nothing (so to speak) is to have it built right as well as marketed to your targeted market first time. So decide your method wisely.