Web Development - A Little Help From My Friends

A community concert will be talking place somewhere this weekend. A lot of preparations have been made for the event and everyone is looking forward to enjoying themselves.

Would you believe me if I said that the concert was the brainchild of one individual and that this singular person put the entire event together without the help of anyone else?

No, you probably wouldn't believe me, and you'd have good reason to question the claim.

Web development is a lot like a weekend concert. There are so many elements that are needed when putting a web presence together that it may be hard for one person to manage every detail.

You will notice I didn't say the development of a website, I said web development.

I believe there is a difference. A web site can be, and often is, developed by a singular individual. In fact, web builder software can make that process much easier, but web development is forging a presence online. Not just a cyber location, but helping to create a cyber buzz through a variety of methods.

Let's go back to that community concert for a minute. What are some of the things that needed to be taken care of before the event?

1) Decision on performer(s).
2) Decision on date and location of performance.
3) Book performer and location.
4) Determine price per ticket.
5) Acquire insurance for the event.
6) Develop posters and distribute.
7) Send press release to media.
8) Conduct interviews when possible.
9) Line up volunteers to help take tickets, load in, feed, provide security, etc.
10) Reconcile tickets sold and money collected.
11) Issue checks for associated bills and performer fees.
12) Clean up auditorium or park area.

These are just a few of the items that need to be taken care of, and one person would have a very difficult time managing every facet of the event without the help of either volunteer or paid event staff.

Let's look at a similar list for web development.

1) Decision on website design.
2) Decision on provider or host for website.
3) Pay for hosting and/or web building design options.
4) Determine items for sale through your online store.
5) Acquire knowledge-based content for use on site.
6) Develop a marketing plan.
7) Implement a marketing plan.
8) Develop business-networking strategies.
9) Encourage associates to consider posting on your forum or blog.
10) Reconcile orders and product fulfillment.
11) Issue checks for vendors.
12) Keep your site clear of outdates material.

Web development is the all around work you will do to make your online presence known. This includes traffic building strategies as well as web design techniques. Web development is the ultimate in multi-tasking. Frankly most people can't do every facet of web development on their own.

These entrepreneurs could use some help from family friends, peer associates as well as the occasional assistance of freelance employees.

Unless you are some sort of cyber super hero you will likely need some help in web development. Don't be afraid to ask for help or to accept it if it is offered.