Finding the right support for your online store

Many people who start online businesses learn how to create and promote their own websites by reading books, attending webinars, or networking with friends and colleagues. Just because you can do all of this doesn’t mean you have to. Ask yourself how many hats you want to wear. Often, you’re better off enlisting help, whether it’s to advise you on the areas where you’re weak or simply to help you tackle your increasing workload. My purpose with this article is to offer some tips to help you make the right decisions when hiring help.

I’ve said before that I wouldn’t want to be the first to cross a minefield. I don’t see the internet any differently. It often pays to have professionals point you in the right direction and help you develop an effective web presence. Many solo entrepreneurs (including myself) hire people with more knowledge than me to do website design or programming work that would otherwise be impossible to tackle.

Don’t be ashamed to hire professional help to get your business online. The Internet is full of companies that specialize in web development and perform several vital functions: providing customers with web access, building websites, and hosting sites on their own servers. The expenses for these services can be hefty up front, but these days with so many competing web development companies, you may be able to find a great deal. Get in touch with a few and get offers. See jobs you’re currently involved in, as well as jobs you’ve done before. Ask them for references that you can also call. Tell them your business plan and carefully explain what you want each page to do. It pays to surround yourself with competent help and let them take care of the technical aspects of your site.

Another area where you may want to find help is in the area of ​​computer networking and maintenance. For small or new businesses, this may not make sense. Keep in mind that you can always get these services at a later date. Finding these professionals is easier than you think. My graphic designer lives a couple of miles away. The programmer I use lives around the corner. Ask around and you’ll find that there are probably people in your neighborhood who have the skills and certifications you need.

At first, when you have plenty of time to plan, you probably won’t feel the urge to hire others to help you. Many people wait to seek help until it is too late. A deadline is coming up or a financial crisis arises. Waiting is fine, as long as you realize that you may need help in the future. Of course, you don’t need to hire local talent, but you do need to find people who are trustworthy and can make a long-term commitment to your project.

In closing, keep these things in mind:

Choose someone who already shows high-tech experience

Use the same hiring practices you would use offline. Request a resume, get three references, and ask for samples of the candidate’s work.

Choose someone who is quick to respond and provides the talent you need.

Unless you’re one of those rare super-talented people who gets the hang of things quickly, I’d advise building a team that you can afford but, more importantly, feel comfortable with.