Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

I would strongly advise against building your own website if you don't have a good knowledge of HTML, Java, and CSS; not to mention be able to maintain/repair a server. The SEO and other bits you can find if you're a very good internet researcher (I haven't found anywhere truly comprehensive), which maybe you should look into while you're having someone else build your site!)

Even though template programs and web editors make the process seem easy, don't be fooled. There will always be a pesky all-important problem (or five...) you can't fix with your editing program that needs to be handled within the code itself.

If you're willing to spend the next year educating yourself on how to write code then by all means do it yourself! I would. :-)

If you really want to do it yourself here are my top tips for you. It is possible to get this done and I think we have all been there where you are trying to start off but have no budget. So sometimes you have to be creative and be willing to network or even barter.

1. Spent the $200 and buy a template - such as at monstertemplate.com -- be sure to take note how many others have downloaded the template as you don't really want to have one that 100 others have. For a first website -- STAY AWAY FROM FLASH

2. Invest in Adobe Contribute -- it is like a word processor for websites! Easy to make changes with.

3. After you have a template there are lots of people out there that are looking to build their portfolio and will build it for you free of charge in exchange for a reference and/or their name appearing on the site. Advertise of kijiji and you will have offers.

While all of this is going on you should pick up a book and learn the basics as well so you become self sufficient.

The answer is yes... But.

But:
you need to be working in a market that is not already crowded with others... for instance you couldnt be the next amazon, ebay, or cableorganizer all by yourself.

you need to be willing to fine tune things as you go. What you develop originally will soon be unacceptable

you need to work from a plan... biggest mistake of most people - heck I made it myself. Before you make webpage number 1 - what will your total sight look like.

I suggest you steal from others. Not really, but find the best ideas you can and copy them.

Now.. blast off!

Yes. I wrote a book on this subject: https://www.manygoodideas.com/store/

Creating a site is the easiest part. Getting quality links and traffic is harder.

If you have time (and desire) you can do it (until your online business is generating enough money for you to hire someone else to maintain it).