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Anyone with access to a computer and a few basic skills can be a web developer. Step outside your door right now, throw a rock and you'll probably hit one. At some time in the history of your business you've probably wanted to throw rocks at a web designer.
In 1995 there were less than 1000 web development companies. By 2005 this number had grown to more than 30,000. These days it wouldn't come as a surprise to find out that a 1000 of these companies come and go every day. You might find a professional web development company working out of the basement of a house or in luxury digs in a downtown highrise.
Web development is such a catch all phrase that it's almost meaningless. It refers to everything that has to do with creating and maintaining a website; from content creation and management to e-commerce and marketing. Someone has to create it, design it, stick it on the web, and maintain it whether it's a blog or a brochure.
Almost every business has a website. It's a given. Most businesses have a website that needs to be put out of its misery or at least dusted off. For some reason business owners think a website will take on a life of its own and magically develop. Then when it doesn't they're sure this whole website thing just doesn't work for their niche.
Business owners seem to fall in to two categories: those who drastically underestimate the value, and therefore the cost, of an effective website, and, those who spend way too much on an ineffective website. Both of these types tend to end up with the same thing - an ineffective website.
An ineffective website is one that does not generate sales or prospects. Every business is selling something so the website had better be doing one of these two things. There are other uses for a business website, such as providing better customer service, but even that should take a back seat to selling a product or service. Without increased sales or leads there will eventually be no customers. Without customers there is no need for customer service.
In some sense web development is a never ending process. No wonder it can become a budgeting black hole for a business. With the economy like it is no company can afford to throw money down the drain. Small business owners especially have to watch every dollar they spend. Web developers have to stay within budget for their clients if they want to stay in business.
It's best to see a website as a dynamic marketing tool rather than an expensive brochure sitting on a shelf. New content needs to be added regularly, information has to be updated, and every few years the basic design should get a face lift. That might seem a bit overwhelming but consider how hard it was in the past to change a phonebook or radio ad. In fact, many small businesses would be better off to get rid of their print materials and go entirely online with their marketing. Not only would it help the environment, but the bottom line will be helped as well.
Web development is the key component to executing a successful marketing plan or campaign for any business, large or small. While your next door neighbor's kid may know how to build a website you might want to go with a real professional.
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And in it's day Gopher, developed at the University of Minnesota and named for the school's mascot, the "Golden Gophers," really was amazing.