We do free websites for people with products to sell online, we then make a commission on each sale. The site costs you nothing, you get more sales, nothing to lose, if we dont sell your products we dont make any money, infact because of the costs we could lose out, but we havn't yet. Its just like having an online sales rep. We advertise your products for you at no cost. We already have a broad range of customers so there is likely to be sales very quickly. Feel free to call me 0800 276 258.

This has suddenly become more relevant than ever. Last night a long-term client said he is going to have to get a website going when he gets back from his holiday. Until then I had thought I knew a bit about this stuff.

I've been a systems analyst, and my wife / business partner is a programmer. I launched NZ's first site dedicated to an area of interest - which is still number one in NZ in it's area (someone else is running it these days). My son did some training in multimedia - which included web sites - and helped us upgrade my amateur business site to something more meaningful. And now I'm upgrading again to a CMS because according to a trusted client it will make it easier to do the things I need.

My client's statement last night was a shock - even though I've been suggesting it for a while. Now I'm trying to think how to advise him when he gets back. There's no way he'll get into web site technicals. But there's not really anyone else to provide the personal touch he needs to present to clients over time. So he has to provide the content and personal touches. He understands the need to keep it active - it's not just a one-time effort.

So my problem is how do we select someone to provide for his needs? And in fact can one firm / person provide all his needs? I've noticed that we are talking different skill sets / personal characteristics here (a bit like Gerber does in the E Myth). With me I'm supplementing my knowledge with ourside advice / contracting. But he'll have to buy in virtually all the skills.

Now before everyone floods me with "I'll do it" offers, I already have my client who could possibly do it, and he has already had people approaching him and saying he needs to do it - and they'll do it. And there are many people on here or recommended through here. Obviously these recommendations (as long as they're genuine) carry some weight. But right now I feel uneasy about this decision. It's my own fault for recommending to him for so long that he needs to do it. Now I have to advise him how to go about it. Maybe this is how people feel when choosing say their accountant .

Phil Astley
www.businessacademy.co.nz

I agree I have been looking at establishing a website, and it is hard to sort out the good from the bad. Many of the people you talk to know their job (I think) but they forget that you are new to their world, and rattle off things as if they dont know that you dont understand. You need a list of questions. I have emailed my questions, and got back some replies, and some gobble-de-gook replies as well. I find thats the best way, that way you can compare answers.