Tightrope: Determine your website needs and then set a budget

— -- The online activity is running at full speed these days. I have often written about the importance of having a website for your company and keeping it updated. However, unless you know how to design your own site and even if you do, at some point you will need to select a company or professional to take care of your website needs.

With so many changes happening online, I thought I should check in with someone who is an expert in working with businesses both large and small with their website needs. I paid a visit to Marimba Milliones, CEO of Milestone New Media Group. Her company is a Pittsburgh-based full service web communications operation, specializing in web design, development, and advertising and interactive development systems.

One of the biggest challenges for the small entrepreneur is budget. My first question to Marimba was how much or how little can we get away with spending and yet maximize our online presence?

Marimba said, "An entrepreneur must determine what they hope to gain from their site. For example a consultant selling his or her service has a different need than a person who sells tee-shirts. Therefore the emphasis of the consultant's website may hinge on credibility and validation. A person selling tee-shirts is generally more focused on sales and exposure as well as credibility. And perhaps another entrepreneur might want to create an interactive online software such as the online version of the tax preparation programs that many use to prepare their taxes.

So, it looks like before we can talk about setting a budget we must first decide what we need in a website. Sometimes to start with a simple three page website that serves as a company brochure is a good beginning when you are on a tight budget and aren't ready for a lot of bells and whistles on your site. At a later time you can slowly add the components that you need or want.

Marimba gave me several things that can be useful when selecting a web designer.