Questions Regarding Creating Your Own Website...

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

It is possible that I may attempt to build my own website. I own the domains Ohioquotes.com and Majormedicalhealth.com and would probably use them for the site.

OK...here's my experience in web design:





Did you see that blank space? Now, you get the picture. I would like to build a nice one, with decent graphics, links etc... I am NOT interested in one of those sites that is up and running in 15 minutes. The good thing is that I am willing to take my time and spend up to 3-6 months tinkering with it before it is up and running. One final thing-It is not imperative that my site is at the top of the search engines for people wanting an Ohio Health Insurance Quote. At least, not at this time.

I have seen some snazzy web sites that you guys (and gals) have, and I'm quite impressed with some of them.

Where do I start? Can I do it myself? I would ask Sam, but I have asked him 497 questions in the last 3 months and I am only allowed 500.

I appreciate your time.

Thanks

Chumps From Oxford
Tyre, Lebanon....well...not really.

 

[James]

I have seen very few sites by any Insurance Agent or Agency I would call exceptional! Of course I don't know much in web design or building but I know what I like and don't like!

Learn Dreamweaver and Flash, with that you can build a pretty nice looking site if you devote some substantial time in learning the programs, plus if you want graphics go ahead and learn Photoshop and or Corel Paint Shop.

 

[Newby]

It is possible that I may attempt to build my own website. I own the domains Ohioquotes.com and Majormedicalhealth.com and would probably use them for the site.

OK...here's my experience in web design:





Did you see that blank space? Now, you get the picture. I would like to build a nice one, with decent graphics, links etc... I am NOT interested in one of those sites that is up and running in 15 minutes. The good thing is that I am willing to take my time and spend up to 3-6 months tinkering with it before it is up and running. One final thing-It is not imperative that my site is at the top of the search engines for people wanting an Ohio Health Insurance Quote. At least, not at this time.

I have seen some snazzy web sites that you guys (and gals) have, and I'm quite impressed with some of them.

Where do I start? Can I do it myself? I would ask Sam, but I have asked him 497 questions in the last 3 months and I am only allowed 500.

I appreciate your time.

Thanks

Chumps From Oxford
Tyre, Lebanon....well...not really.

I'm am going through the same decision-making process right now. The ones that agents can have for very little cost through Senior Market Sales don't look too bad though.

My son (Freshman in College) has been writing computer code and building web sites since he was very young but even with that asset I will have to decide everything I want in it if I build from scratch. Takes me away from selling. I may just go with a pre-made one for now and then start designing one for later.

My aunt's apartment burnt up last month in a fire (she is fine.) Everyone at the scene was saying "I hope she has lots of insurance." So it made me check the domain name www.lotsofinsurance.com and it was available. I'm not sure if it is a good name or not because it looks more like "lot so finance." It's hard to come up with a good domain that is not taken.

 

[Frank Stastny]

Chumps,

Every once in a while I get a "wild hair" and think, why should I pay someone to do something that I can probably do myself.

The answer is always time vs money. How much is my time worth and how much money am I going to lose while I'm trying to learn to do something new?

James advice talks about "substantial time in learning the programs". I'm sure he isn't talking about a couple of hours, probably more like months. Your website will look like crap without cool graphics. Now you have to learn Phothshop. You will need to learn the programs, not just know how to sorta kinda work in them.

A website that both doesn't look good and doesn't work well is worse than not having one at all. When people go to your website they are looking at "you". How do you want them to see you? As a professional or as a bumbling beginner?

When you go out to meet a client you don't go in sloppy sweats and a ragged t-shirt do you? Send your website to people "dressed" they way you would go if you were going to meet them for the first time.

Make your website reflect who you are how you conduct business.

 

[somarco]

Branding is very important, and a domain name is part of the branding process. I own several domains that describe the product or service such as

http://toothplans.com

http://tripmedical.com

http://quickhealthplans.com

http://myhsaplans.com

But when it comes to branding I put my name out there as much as possible. My email is sent to me in care of my name dot com. If someone wants to find out about me, my products, my information sites (including blogs & consumer sites) all they have to do is type in http://bobvineyard.com and they are ready to go.

Most of the domains I bought over the years I have allowed to expire. I had too many of them and most were not generating any revenue.

A name like Jiffy Lube or Burger King tells what you have to offer. A name like McDonald's or Wendy's is meaningful only if people know what your product or service is.

I guess I could have chosen a name like MrInsurance.com or PleaseBuyHealthInsuranceFromMeSoICanPayMyBills.com . . . but I didn't.


I certainly don't know that much about web design but I do know a few things.

You need a domain that is easy to remember and doesn't take too many keystrokes.

You don't want your website cluttered with lot's of graphics. Simple works. Something that is quick to load (even though most folks have high speed you still have some on dial up).

People who go to your site are looking for content . . . free information. If your site consists solely of a pitch to "buy from me" you probably won't get very far.

I do pick up a few clients during the course of the year from http://quickblue.net but not enough to consider it a primary revenue source. I did however renew that domain a few months ago.

If you want to design your own site, or pay someone to do it, spend some time looking at sites like http://insure.com. That site has a lot of useful information but it is also mixed in with the sales pitch. My personal opinion is it is too cheesy, but I do like the content portion.

Another site with good content is http://www.tonynovak.com/

Very amateurish looking and there is no continuity from site to site if you look at everything Tony has to offer.

Some of the sites I like include
http://www.insurancesolutions123.com/

http://www.selfemployedpa.com/

http://www.shorttermmedical.com/

http://www.davefluker.com/

http://www.squaremouth.com/

All appear to be professionally designed. Some are very product driven while others mix content with product. All are easy on the eyes, not too many distractions, easy to navigate.

Hope this helps.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Thanks Bob and everyone else for the responses. While I have time on my side, I don't want to spend a lot of time learning web design. I think I would be content to let a local person design the site, but somehow I would know just enough to be able to make changes and updates myself.

 

[Newby]

Great Information Somarco! Thanks for the links. I have been trying to compile links to good sites myself.

I have tried to get the domain to my name but some famous hypnotist from London already has it.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Don't feel bad. Some crummy actor has mine (Ed Harris)!

 

[somarco]

I have tried to get the domain to my name but some famous hypnotist from London already has it

Try this.

Ask him to watch the watch. He is getting sleepy. Very sleepy. When you snap your fingers tell him he will completely forget his name.

SNAP!!

If that doesn't work, maybe you need a new name. How does Skippy sound?

Wait. That may already be taken too . . .

 

[somarco]

Hey, anyone who get's to act alongside Jennifer Connelly can't be that bad . . .