Thread: "Couldn't I just make it myself in Dreamweaver?"

"Couldn't I just make it myself in Dreamweaver?"

I've heard this a lot. And although I can think of a million reasons why it's better to hire somebody (like me), most of them are technical. What would be some good practical reasons, so I can have them on hand to respond to that question? (An analogies are always good...)

simple really, just explain the following

There is allot more to developing a site than just throwing in a load of code to create something that looks good, you need to optimise images, seo it with header tags strategically placed to help with search engine position and also optimise the code so it loads faster. Explain that Dreamweaver is a great tool for those that know how to use it properly but to build a website properly its not for amateurs who are serious about their website.

The cost of buying Dreamweaver is £375, thats jut for the web development software, for the graphics you will also need Photoshop which is another £300+. You can buy them together in a pack which is around £600, and thats before you have even installed the applications. Then you will need to invest time to learn the software to allow you to develop a website which is an ever changing process, and from experience this takes a long time.

An analogy:
You could go buy some fabric and a sewing machine and through lots of trial and error make your self a shirt, it might not be the best fitting and may break apart at the seams, however you're not a tailor so its to be expected. The easier option is to go to a tailor, have him measure you and go through all the available options for your shirt and leave him to make what you want, giving you the best result with the least expense and worry.

Owning Dreamweaver is like owning a bunch of tools and a workbench. Does that make you a carpenter? After you've bought the tools, how long do you think it would take to becoming a skilled craftsman?

If you just want to put up a few shelves, then maybe you could do it yourself (DIY). Even then, how many DIY enthusiasts manage to get the shelves straight?

Building a business website is more like designing and building a showroom. Would you really want to do that yourself, or would you hire architects and builders to make it for you?

If you just want a small personal site -- you know, pictures of your cat, that kind of thing -- then the DIY approach is fine. It might take you a while to get the shelves straight, but so what? It's just a hobby.

But if your website affects your business, then DIY is a false economy. Your customers will not be impressed when the shelves fall down and the paintwork peels off.

"Couldn't I just make it myself in Dreamweaver?"

Originally Posted by CloudedVision

When I come across clients of this sort, I always quote an old Rabbinic parable from Babylonian Talmud. This is from the Midrash Mekilta Rabbi Ishmael (finished ~400-500 A.D.)

To what can this be compared?

To one who said to his servant, “Go and get me a fish from the market.”
The servant went and brought him an ill-smelling fish.
He said to the servant: I decree that you;

1. either eat the fish,
2. or receive a hundred lashes,
3. or you pay me a hundred maneh.”

The servant said, “Me - pay you? - NO! I will eat the fish”

He began to eat, but could not finish.

He, therefore, said: “I am strong - I will take the lashes.”

After receiving sixty lashes, he could stand no more.

He therefore said: “I will pay the hundred maneh.”

The result was: He ate the fish and received the lashes, and paid a hundred maneh…

(translated directly from the Aramaic original)

In today's terms if he cannot understand the parable:

Feel free to make your own site with Dreamweaver,
You will waste your time and effort on a 3rd rate site.
For a top notch site you will have to pay.

When I come across clients of this sort, I always quote an old Rabbinic parable from Babylonian Talmud. This is from the Midrash Mekilta Rabbi Ishmael (finished ~400-500 A.D.)

Originally Posted by shalom_m

That's wonderful. I'll remember that one. :001_smile:

"Couldn't I just make it myself in Dreamweaver?"

Originally Posted by CloudedVision

"YES"

Really that is what I say.

Then I offer to organise their web hosting.
Point out that I do not prefer dreamweaver and personally use Webuilder, a code editor because WYSIWYG editors often include unnessessay code which can slow things down, and suggest they have a look at the Gimp for graphic manipulation.
Suggest they have a look at Download free CSS templates - Free CSS Templates and suggest they have a look at filezilla for ftp. I then ask if they were thinking about CMS or just static. If they want static I still suggest still look at php includes as this will make long term maintenance easier...

At this point they normally get the point.