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For many site owners, building is the most intimidating step in starting a web site. The plan they can read; the design they can see. But the building process is shrouded in mystery. They know it happens, but they have no idea how. It's natural, actually. As Arthur C. Clarke famously said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." And the magic that makes your web site work can be confounding indeed obscured as it is in acronyms and buzzwords. But even if you don't know HTML from the ACLU, you could build a simple site in a day. The basic technology is easy to learn (Start with how web sites work: a primer, p. 190). Of course, things quickly get more complicated. You'll need experienced engineers, designers, and production specialists to build a site of substance. But even if you're working on a complex, commercial site, you can still contribute to technological decisions. And you must. While it's good to recognize your limits and trust the people you hire, you have to stay involved. (See how to work with engineers, p. 236) "Looking back, I would have asked more questions," said Randi Shade, founder and CEO of CharityGift. "And I would have stayed involved even if the engineers said I shouldn't because the things I brought up really were important to the product." Confidence is key here. You can't allow yourself to be intimidated, even if the technology is new to you. "It's important not to be afraid to sound stupid if you don't understand what someone's talking about," said Tim Ziegler, founder of FamilyAlbum.com. "The critical thing is to ask questions." So as you build your site, keep your wits about you. Don't be razzle-dazzled by the technology just focus on what you know. Be clear about your priorities. Keep your eye on the end product. Hire good people, set reasonable deadlines, invest in testing, and don't forget to throw a party when you're done.
Not sure where to start how web sites work, p. 190. |