But then things changed. Styles changed and became more complex. As more people got faster connections larger graphics were added. More graphics were added. And I discovered there were people who could create websites faster, better and cheaper than I could.

So my business model changed. I no longer created websites – I began helping people figure out what to put on those sites. And once we had those decisions made, it was easy for them to tell their webmaster what they wanted.

One of the over-riding concerns that my clients have expressed for years is “I want to do it myself.” Now while I can generally convince them that they do not want to create the initial site themselves, I totally agree that you need to be able to make changes and updates yourself.

Again for years I advised them to find a great webmaster who was responsive to their needs – or to learn enough to use a web design program so they could make the changes. But that advice has also changed.

Now I tell them they do not want a traditional website – they want a blog. Here are 3 reasons you want to use a blog instead of a website.

• Search engines love blogs. As soon as you post new content on your blog, the search engines come running over to see what you’ve posted. It’s automatic when you have a blog. No more “Search Engine Optimization” required once it’s set up properly.
• You don’t have to learn HTML. It’s not a complicated language, but it’s one more thing to learn and do. If you can save the 10-20 hours it takes to become semi-proficient, it’s worth it.
• You can update your site yourself. With a short learning curve, Wordpress is a flexible free tool that is easy to use. And with the variety of themes (templates) that are now available, you can have your blog looks like any other type of site you want.

So the next time you think “I need a website” be sure you’re asking for what you really want – a customized Wordpress blog.

Related Resources:

First Blog Site shows you how to get your first blog online within minutes. It includes a 90-minute video overview of the full process, an option to Get It Done for you by my personal webmaster, and the step-by-step videos you can use yourself or have your assistant watch.

I offer a Brain Drain Special if you want to talk to someone personally about your ideas and website. I’ll refer you to my personal webmaster to Get It Done for you.

Talk To Your Webmaster outlines the process I use for working with my webmaster. It also includes tips on finding a webmaster and how to communicate with them more profitable – for both of you!

- Ask friends and colleagues. If they are using a webmaster, they may be willing to refer you to theirs. This is your safest approach.

- Look for links to web designers at the bottom of sites you admire. If you don’t see a link, contact the site owner and ask for a referral. Keep in mind that many people don’t like to share the name of their web designer for fear the designer will become too busy to continue to provide the quality service they now enjoy.

- Lance sites. There are a growing number of sites online that feature free-lancers who are willing to bid on your job. Most of these work as reverse bids, where you post your request, then the professionals bid on the job, with the hope that they’ll get your attention with the “low bid.” There are insiders’ secrets to using these sites, so look for resources both on the sites and in products available online.

Sites that fall into this category include elance.com, rent-a-coder.com, scriptlance.com, and guru.com

- Craigs List.  This is a free resource for advertising your needs. Post an ad on either your city’s craigslist or on one of the larger, more tech-savvy cities. Austin and San Francisco would be good bets.

- Become a Brain Drain client. (Shameless self-promotion!) I share MY webmaster’s name and contact information with all of my Brain Drain clients. Sign up at www.BrainDrainSpecial.com

When posting your request, specify that you want your sites created in HTML. This will provide sites that someone else can edit easily. Plus the search engines find HTML pages easy to read and index. The only exception to this would be a blog site, which should use WordPress.

And who pays for that time? You do! Either directly or indirectly a face-to-face meeting costs you money and time. After all, if your webmaster is out meeting with another client he’s not working on your project!

Many people continue to insist on meeting their webmaster in person. If need be, use the telephone. Just recognize that most webmasters consider the telephone an interruption. They have to stop what they’re doing, change their train of thought to your project, then go back to what they were working on. Again, it delays their work for you — and for other clients. This ends up costing you money again!

Instead, learn to use email to communicate more effectively. It may not be your preferred communication style, but it is for your webmaster.

Of course, when you start working with a new webmaster, you’ll want to ask about his/her preferred communication style.

In fact, that’s just one of the techniques discussed in How To Talk To Your Webmaster. Pick Up Your Copy Today!