Are You Being Held Hostage?Written by Rosalind Gardner on March 12, 2007 · Comments (15) |
Many folks are surprised when they find out that I do most of the design work on my web sites and have been doing so since I started my business in 1998.
You may think that doing your own design is a waste of time and that it is better to outsource it all. And sure, I have outsourced some of my design work, particularly the ebook covers. But I personally find it frustrating to wait for site and logo designers.
Sometimes you fork out $199 for a logo or header graphic which ends up looking like a 2 year-old could have done a better job; or, you hire the same designer that everyone and his brother in the niche uses, and your design ends up looking like the ’same old, same old’ with only color and text variations.
So, I don’t wait for designers… especially when I can do a good job myself in 10 minutes to an hour. Not to mention that it’s fun! For me, it’s a break from the ‘work’ of writing. 
What’s ‘fun’ for me however, is a a DAUNTING prospect for others. For newbies especially, designing or building their own website may seem absolutely impossible..
Quite frankly, however, I think it is a far worse prospect for your business when you let someone else have control over every aspect of your site. Too often the webmasters I talk to have been ‘working on their sites’ for six months to a year and more, and they still don’t have a clue how to FTP a page to the server, let alone insert a table into an HTML page.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s like making your auto mechanic responsible for making sure that there is gas in your car and air in your tires.
For example, one webmaster, with whom I spoke recently, spent a THOUSAND Aussie dollars, (about $780 US) to a company for initial hosting and design work. All she got was … a template to choose from, and was SEVERELY RESTRICTED as to what she could actually do with the site. They also charged her an additional $40AU per month for hosting. She wasn’t allowed to FTP in or off the server. Worst of all, the company had a prominent link to their site at the bottom of every one of her pages, and she wasn’t allowed to remove it! SHEESH!
It’s no surprise that webmasters who relinquish control to that degree don’t see a lot of success with their web sites. They never learn the ‘language’ of design, so they have difficulty communicating what they want done and then the work takes 10 to 20 times longer to complete.
Some new webmasters and affiliate marketers are so afraid of making mistakes with their sites that they don’t want to ‘touch’ their sites at all!
If that describes the stage you’re at - Relax!
So what if you make a mistake? We’ve ALL made mistakes. Test things out. If something doesn’t work, do it again, or get help. There’s absolutely NOTHING to be afraid of. It is all do-able.
Trust me on this one. When you take time to learn how to do a little HTML, create a simple header graphic, insert that header image and an email capture form into that page and then send the whole thing to your server via FTP, you will be LIGHT years ahead of where you’re at now.
You’ll no longer be reliant on some webmaster or designer who doesn’t respond for 48 hours, and you won’t be paying him large sums of money for that kind of ’service’ either.
So here’s the plan. First of all, you have to decide what you want and/or need to do.
If you are just starting out and want to learn how to build a site, check out Jim Edwards’ “Mini Site Creator” DVD instruction program. It’s an excellent choice for those who learn best by watching and want to learn how to build a site from the ground up on their own.
If you want to take some pain out of the learning curve, you might prefer Marlon Sanders’ Design Dashboard, which is a point-click-and-follow-the-big-blue-numbers design system that allows you to create graphics, templates (or modify templates that you’ve purchased), create a sales page, embed special effects into your pages and more.
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Click the image to see a full-sized graphic of what the Design Dashboard interface looks like. If you’re building web sites, sales pages, mini sites, affiliate sites, landing pages or need blog graphics; this might be for you. To learn more, pick up Marlon’s free report, “How To Avoid The Top 10 Mistakes In Landing Pages, Mini Sites, Affilate Pre-Sell Pages and Sales Pages“.
If you’ve figured out how to build a page, but are still uploading those pages to your server one-by-one through your cPanel interface***, it’s time to learn how to do file transfers via FTP and learn how to do bulk uploads. If you don’t have an FTP client, download Filezilla from Sourceforge and play with it. Sourceforge provides all the documentation you’ll need and also offers a support forum.
***I recommend using hosts that use a cPanel interace as they are SO much easier to learn and manipulate and have the Fantastico feature which allows you to install all sorts of software (such as blogs, support desks, etc.) very easily. Two hosts that offer cPanel are LunarPages and
Bluehost.
If you have a site, but haven’t installed an autoresponder (absolutely ESSENTIAL element!) installed yet, head over to Aweber, get signed up and read the instructions or watch the videos. It’s really easy to do, just a simple matter of cut and pasting the code that Aweber provides. But if you have problems figuring out how to set up your autoresponder series or how to send a broadcast message, ask questions and keep working through each issue until you do understand. The guys at Aweber are really friendly and won’t bite.
Stop getting taken for a ride where it comes to your web site! Put yourself in the driver’s seat by learning the webmastering basics discussed above - basic page construction, simple graphic design, email capture form installation and file transfer via FTP.
Once you have control over your site, you’ll feel PROUD of your accomplishment and be ready to tackle more complex tasks - like how to invest your affiliate earnings.
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Comments
15 Responses to “Are You Being Held Hostage?”
Jack on March 13th, 2007 0:28 am
Just a note to say thank you for your blog and forum. You are one of the few that take the time to answer ever one’s post.
It is kind of sad to see some Gurus solicit post for their blogs and completely ignore them. People some times pour out their heart seeking help and answers to their problems and they might just throw them down a well for all the response they get. These guys love to get you on their list and send you emails saying ” Hi Jack! Do I have a deal for you”
Some people are so gullible they think they have a personal friend in these guys, when all they want is your money for some material of dubious value. There is no Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy went away years ago.
Roz I consider you an exception to these scoundrels. Any how that the way I see it. Jack
Hello Jack - You give me too much credit - I’m AWFUL when it comes to my forum, but I do have fabulous moderators and the folks on there are darned smart too.
But I do thank you for your kind words … although I thought the Tooth Fairy was still around. 
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Franck Silvestre on March 13th, 2007 2:17 am
It’s an excellent article Rosalind. I hope that poor woman will get Marlon’s design dashboard.
Marlon is on of the best marketers on the web and his products are top notch.
I am using Filezilla myself, and it’s really simple to use. (I was on of those who upload all my pages via cpanel for a while).
If you are doing this, stop now and get Filezilla. It’s easy like bonjour!
Hi Franck - Thanks for the Filezilla recommendation. I actually use WS-FTP Pro, but have used FileZilla and like to recommend it because it is a free download.
Ros
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Karen on March 13th, 2007 5:33 am
Hi Ros, I still enjoy your emails and yours are one of the only expert’s msgs that I haven’t “turned off”. Today I was surprised not to see your recommendation for xsitepro. I was sure I tried it (and love it) cuz of your recommendation nearly 2 years ago. Tho I know the rule, only recommend what you get commissions for. So why did you drop them? I am still their affiliate at myminisites.net. I admit that I’ve not promoted “anything” much and not making much money tho. I’m hoping to get it right with my new decorating site and will be on the forum looking for reviews and help… - Thanks again for turning me on to affiliate mktg, I hope to “get it right”!
Hi Karen, XSitePro is still a great product but it isn’t one that I would compare with Marlon’s design dashboard which I think is more step-by-step with more functionality and therefore very helpful for brand new webmasters. Cheers, Ros
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Jenkins on March 13th, 2007 6:00 am
Rosalind,
Since I discovered you, I am excited to read your write ups. They are so true and to the point.Thank you for offering writeups like this to newbies like us to the online affiliate marketing business.
Hello Jenkins - My pleasure, always.
Ros
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villainess on March 13th, 2007 6:41 am
I didn’t appreciate the slam to web designers. Where are you finding these people, elance? You get what you pay for; try a professional or stop complaining. And yes, it IS customary to put your logo on pages you design. Frankly, you have no room to talk when it comes to leaving customers hanging. I submitted at ticket (VER-82541) in May of 2006, and I’m still waiting. Nice customer service there.
Linda, Your statements and assumptions are right out to lunch. Your ticket was replied to on 15 May 2006 at 05:45 PM… and who was complaining about or slamming web designers? I simply stated a fact related to my experience and that of my Internet marketing colleagues who hire PROFESSIONAL web designers on a regular basis. Unless they’re on staff, they work according to their agenda, not yours. That should be a fairly simple concept to understand.
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Lisa Preston on March 13th, 2007 7:37 am
Hi Rosalind!
I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about here… from the other end of the equation!
I’m a web developer AND an Internet Marketer, and in designing websites for people, I’m always extremely frustrated (although the client never knows that!) when they refuse to learn the simplest of things to maintain/change their own site.
I just LOVE creating the sites, but then I want to move on - I have no more time for maintaining it. I think learning the very basics of being your own webmaster is crucial to keep things fresh. As the designer, I’ll always be around for any updates/upgrades that require more knowledge, but for switching images, changing a few lines of text… this should be something every site owner learns for themselves.
HEY! Maybe that’s a new product to create…
Keep up the good work!
Lisa Preston
Hey Lisa - Thanks for that. It’s good for folks to know what their designers go through as well! As for creating that new product, you’re the girl!
- Ros
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Virginia Van Vynckt on March 13th, 2007 11:25 am
Hi, Ros–
If you designed this site, kudos to you. It looks good, is coded to standard, and works well.
As a longtime Web developer with clients who range from do-it-yourselfers to “I don’t want to lift a finger” types, I can see both sides of this issue.
The best compromise, in my opinion, is to hire a web developer/designer to set up a site that you can then easily manage yourself. You want someone who’s not just a “designer,” but who understands back-end coding as well. Most people don’t realize that the “back end” of a site is the most important part. Sloppy coding can compromise your site security, cost you points with the search engines, and frustrate your visitors.
All you need is a content management system–Wordpress is ideal for many sites, and is free. Once it’s installed, you can easily update content, including site graphics. I also think it’s important to have a site that can “grow” with you.
I haven’t tried Marlon Sanders’ web building system, but it looks promising for people who want to do it themselves.
I do agree that every site owner should know at least very basic HTML (e.g. how to set up a link), and everyone should have an FTP program and learn how to use it.
I’ve used all of the popular hosting control panels, and agree that Cpanel with Fantastico is wonderful. I also like Hsphere.
I enjoy your emails and blog. Keep up the good work!
Hi Virginia - Thanks for taking the time to add your comments. I agree wholeheartedly about having a great CMS and am currently testing out a new one that is looking really promising so far… has more latitude and functionality than Wordpress. I plan to do some more work with it when I return from Malaysia and Vietnam and then will share my experiences with it. Cheers, Ros
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Anne Goodrich on March 13th, 2007 17:11 pm
As a designer, I have to disagree just a skosh, of course. I do think that sites that are rich in content can get away with not being as visually appealing. Content *is* king.
However, when I’m purchasing a product I’m very wary of sites that don’t look professionally done. I think most of us assume that if a site looks professional, then there’s a good chance the company will embrace that quality of excellence throughout. I don’t mean to disparage the products you mentioned in the least. What should always come first is caring what’s best for customers - and Content Management Systems are one way to give people a professional look and an easy way to control their content on their own. I certainly do understand you finding designing fun, though. (Me too.) However writing is my way to take a break from designing.
Hi Anne, I agree with you 100%. I think design is the FIRST key to getting people to look at your site, and you’ve hit the nail on the head that “most of us assume if a site looks professional, then there’s a good chance the company will embrace that quality of excellence throughout.” I think we all need to start from that point THEN deliver great content … which is an absolute MUST. Ros
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John on March 13th, 2007 23:36 pm
Yes Marlon design dashboard is really a cool step by step guide on teaching us how to have our very own cool design website. Thanks Ros for this great article.
My pleasure, John. Just sorry that I didn’t share this tool with everyone sooner. Ros
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Terry Utella on March 14th, 2007 15:54 pm
And then when you test, you have to test for specific actions. You don’t just try it on like a new outfit. James Brausch has some tools and discussion on how to set this process up. See JamesBrausch.com.
Hi Terry, That’s interesting… Jame’s site doesn’t come up for me here in Borneo, so I can’t really comment one way or another. - Ros
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Geordie on March 15th, 2007 9:16 am
Excellent post, cutting your teeth on simple landing pages with tools like you’ve mentioned here is well worth the time and effort invested in learning something new like this. It’s really hard to find a designer who really gets what you see in your head and know will convert!
Hi Geordie - Exactly!!! Ros
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Robert McArthur on March 21st, 2007 13:46 pm
I really look forward to your newsletters, they are full of great information! In reference to this particular topic, I have looked at your recommended site builders products: by Jim Edwards and the other ‘Site Sell’. Jim Edwards product looks fantastic, but doesn’t cover traffic. SiteSell seems to do it all, but I don’t quite understand what their product really is. Perhaps you could refer me to an earlier critique of these products? or a new comment? I have spent a great deal of time in the ‘research-a-product phase’ using your guidelines in Super Affiliate Handbook and am ready to decide on a ‘helper’ product. Your opinion has great value to me. Thank you
Hello Robert - If you want to learn how to build an all-round site and do it yourself, then I highly recommend Jim’s MiniSiteCreator. If you want to be led by the hand every step of the way, then SiteBuildit is the product for you. cheers, Ros
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maree smith on April 23rd, 2007 17:38 pm
Hi Roz,
just wanted to say a big thankyou.I am a newbie trying to advertise, i have been searching for info on how to create a redirect and an unsubscribe link, I will check out the sites you reccommend.
Love your no b.s. manner. Keep it coming! Thankyou!
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Rosalind Gardner on April 24th, 2007 7:15 am
Hello Maree,
You’re welcome! My pleasure entirely.
Cheers,
Ros
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Richard on October 1st, 2007 12:29 pm
Hello Ros ~
I could use your advice. I purchased your Super Affiliate Handbook in August and just purchased the 2020challenge and set up an account with bluehost over the weekend. The Affiliate Handbook was supberb, the only suggestion that I have is elaborating on creating web-sites or offering tools that can assist for the true newbie (thats me). Honestly, I am confused on the web-site design. I played with bluehost and can’t figure it out. I found this blog today which seems to have good suggestions. However, I want to go the correct direction and not have to keep purchasing products to get a site going. Here is my question - knowing that I have never created a web-site but can understand and learn from a good manual or tutorial, what would you suggest me to buy to get my first affiliate web-site up? Thanks in advance for your response.
Richard
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