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Don't Try This at Home By Robyn Greenspan January 2, 2001 So, you fancy yourself as a real do-it-yourselfer? Let me guess, you were the one making the holiday decorations out of paper towel tubes, blowing your own glass ornaments, and creating beautiful wrapping paper out of orange peels. And in the off-holiday season you use your spare time to change your own spark plugs, teach yourself to speak Cantonese, groom the neighborhood dogs and put together a kickin'' e-business plan. If this is really the type of person you are -- someone who doesn''t hesitate to tackle any chore -- you probably plan on designing your own Web site too. But if you''re not technically skilled in this area, this could be a big mistake. Before you go ahead and buy the entire "Web Design for Dummies, Idiots, Novices and Amateurs" collection, realize that there is a better method for approaching this important component of your e-business. Using a professional Web designer could add a tremendous amount of value to your online appearance. For instance, did you know that it has become a standard to click on a company logo to be taken back to the home page? Or it could be counter-productive to the efficiency of the site to make each click yield a new browser window? Those are the type of details that contribute to the sum product of the Web site. A professional designer will invoke industry standards while incorporating the personality of the e-business to create a unique and efficient site. Using a professional Web designer could wind up being more cost-efficient than trying to do it yourself too. If you begin the project but can''t finish, a paid designer will have to correct all the non-functional elements that you created before completing the site design. To find the best designer for the task at hand, consult The List -- the Definitive Buyer''s Guide to Web Design. The List will help you choose the most qualified Web designer based on your specifications. You can search by the type of services that are offered, such as whether the designer is certified or adept at CGI or Shockwave. Searches can also be initiated geographically if you are interested in doing business within your own community. Whatever criteria you use to find the perfect Web designer for your e-business, The List is the best place to start. The time that could be saved by using a professional to design your Web site could be enormous. Think of what you can accomplish in those extra hours -- developing your e-business, building a realistic replica of your house out of popsicle sticks or collecting orange peels for next year''s wrapping paper. Read more about why Web design is so important and is best left to professionals: Site Design: A Lesson in Value Designing Your E-Commerce Site for Service