| There is no denying it, the Internet is a part of | | | | "toolkits" to help them build their own websites. |
| almost everyone's life these days. We shop on | | | | While it is true that these will get you "on the net" |
| the internet, pay bills, find information and learn | | | | and the tool kits will allow you to place some text |
| about things that interest us, make new friends | | | | and even a photo or two on the site, they will not |
| and stay in touch with old ones all via our personal | | | | provide either the bandwidth or enough functional |
| computers. Over the last decade, virtually every | | | | tools to allow for anything more than a very basic |
| sort of business, state or local government and | | | | website. Graphics, video, multiple photo pages and |
| civic organization imaginable has established at | | | | anything other than a tiny amount of interactivity |
| least some kind of presence on the Internet via | | | | will be virtually impossible. Additionally, most free |
| websites. Search just about any keyword on | | | | or low-cost web hosting sites will place unwanted |
| Google or Yahoo, and you can expect literally | | | | advertisements either directly on your site, or as |
| MILLIONS of websites that match what you are | | | | "pop-ups" - and in many cases there is absolutely |
| looking for. | | | | no way you can get rid of them! |
| Increasingly, individuals and families are turning to | | | | If I have a personal or Special Event website, |
| the Internet for ways to share special occasions | | | | people I don't know will have access to it! There |
| and keep in touch with friends and loved ones all | | | | is no question that the Internet can be a scary |
| over the world. The number of personal websites | | | | place, but it doesn't have to be - and this |
| and homepages dedicated to special occasions | | | | misconception is just that, a misconception. |
| such as weddings, graduations, births, family | | | | Password protection, and By Invitation Only |
| reunions, bar mitzvahs, birthdays and even holiday | | | | Websites are just two of the readily available |
| celebrations is increasing at a staggering rate. | | | | tools that a professional website designer can build |
| Memorial pages for loved ones who have passed | | | | into your personal or Special Events website to |
| away and pages honoring milestones and | | | | allow you to control the level of general availability |
| anniversaries are also becoming extraordinarily | | | | it has. |
| popular. The convenience, efficiency and cost | | | | Websites have to be continually monitored and |
| effectiveness of sharing achievements, | | | | updated, and I don't have the time! Again, not |
| photographs and even videos via the Internet | | | | true. If the site you want is to memorialize a |
| with people spread out all over the nation or even | | | | loved one, or to commemorate a once in a |
| the world has created a boom in personal | | | | lifetime event such as a wedding or graduation, |
| websites that was unthinkable even a decade ago. | | | | the amount of maintenance required on that site |
| Unfortunately, along with the growth in popularity | | | | will normally be very small. Additionally, if the site |
| of personal and special events websites there has | | | | does require continual monitoring and you have it |
| also been a growth in the number of | | | | built by a professional, that same professional will |
| misconceptions people who are not overly familiar | | | | be able to administer and update it for you, |
| with the Internet have about them. All websites | | | | usually at a nominal monthly or quarterly fee. It |
| are not created equally, and one size does not fit | | | | should also be noted that if the site is temporary |
| all. What your website will need in terms of | | | | in nature, these fees will disappear when the site |
| bandwidth, coding, graphics and special features | | | | does. |
| will vary depending on what it is that you want | | | | I would love to have a website professionally built, |
| your website to be - and what you want it to do. | | | | but it costs a FORTUNE! This is, perhaps, the |
| How your website is designed, what sort of | | | | largest misconception that there is. Sure, |
| functionality it has and how user friendly it needs | | | | companies and organizations sometimes spend |
| to be will all need to be determined by the goal | | | | thousands of dollars for their huge sites but |
| you have established for your site. For example, if | | | | attractive, interactive and functional personal |
| you want a website for a wedding, you will | | | | Special Events websites are available for as little |
| probably need to have multiple pages, each with | | | | as $300 -- less than the cost of a wedding cake, |
| its own music and graphics, video capability, plenty | | | | a professional photographer, or tuxedo rentals - |
| of space for photos and it will need to be very | | | | making it one of the most cost effective Special |
| interactive. On the other hand, if you want a | | | | Event expenses you will incur. Most importantly, |
| website for a family genealogy, you will probably | | | | you control the amount you spend, and what |
| require less graphics and interactivity but more | | | | your money is spent on. |
| HTML coded text - and hence a different layout. | | | | Each lifetime contains within it those special times |
| Often, what you need is difficult for the | | | | that we want to remember forever, and share |
| non-professional to figure out and you end up | | | | with our friends and loved ones. In the information |
| with an end result that is not what you planned | | | | age, there is no more efficient, cost effective or |
| on. | | | | convenient way to share life's high points with as |
| To help avoid this situation, it may help to clear up | | | | many or as few people as you wish than by |
| a few misconceptions of website development: | | | | having a professionally designed website built. |
| Anybody can make a website - AOL told me so! | | | | Don't let the misconceptions that you have heard |
| Many of the larger Internet services provide their | | | | stop you from exploring this exciting and fun |
| members with "free" web pages as part of their | | | | possibility! |
| monthly subscription fees - along with simple | | | | |