HIRE A WEBMASTER

Hiring a Professional Webmaster

You can hire a professional Webmaster that has the hardware, software and expertise to construct and maintain a website for you. As always, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1) A professional Webmaster knows how to use the hardware and software. You will get a well constructed website in much shorter time than if you attempted it yourself.

2) Knows how to acquire a host computer.

3) Knows how to get a domain name.

4) Knows how to save you money and time.

5) You don’t have to try to find someone in your organization to take on this responsibility.

6) Knows all the little tricks that add to the professional look of a website, like the little icon you see next to some website addresses in the browser.

Disadvantages to Hiring a Professional Webmaster:

1) Cost. You will have to pay to have a professional make you a website. The costs vary by Webmaster and the amount of work you would like done.

2) An “outsider” may not be familiar with your particular business or with the intricacies or a teacher’s union (they may not even know a grievance from an improper labor practice).  (Note:  I have been a union officer in the West Genesee Teachers’ Association for 34 years holding positions ranging from Building Representative to Vice President for Negotiations and Grievances.) I have also been a webmaster for 12 years.

3) Any Webmaster needs content. Websites live and die on content. New material needs to be made available to the Webmaster.

4) The Webmaster needs communication with your organization in order to get content as well as design approval. You, or your designee, would be instrumental in helping them set up the Home page (color scheme, what it looks like, what you want on it, do you have a logo, etc.).  Once the site looks the way you want it, then the Webmaster will need content -- someone will have to send them your newsletter, cabinet meeting minutes, kudos, etc. This can be done several ways, from very low tech (snail mail) to very high tech -- but someone has to "feed them" information.

NOTE:  The communication and content “downsides” are the same if you use your own in-house Webmaster or a freelance professional -- communication with your Webmaster is vital and ongoing. As I eventually end up telling my clients, “the devil is in the details.” As a Webmaster I am starting out with a blank computer screen - when I’m done you have a website. In between there are a million decisions that have to be made. It’s best if the business owner or the union president is the contact person because of all the critical decisions that must eventually be made.

If you would like me to construct a website for you, or if you have any questions, please E-mail me at: davis@twcny.rr.com or give me a call at 315-382-4333.

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This page was last updated on November 15, 2011.

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