One of the first questions that most people ponder when first starting to develop a business online is "how am I going to design a website?" The answer is simple: You don't! At least a majority of those who are successful online don't design their own website.

But understand that there is a difference between design a website and develop a website. Designing a website requires a lot of technical knowledge, artistic ability and a little bit of psychological common sense. Developing a website is about templates, pre-designed building blocks and content. For a major of people, website development is just a stepping stone in their journey to success. Here I pose ten reasons why you may not want to design a website, rather develop one:

1. Understanding HTML is technical! The languange is not specifically difficult, but it does require a bit of practice and TIME.

2. Website Layout can be tricky stuff. First, being able to code the layout is one hurdle. Second, knowing what will work best is another issue. Layout requires experience more than anything.

3. Fighting with your host can be time consuming and technical. Do you understand what a DNS server is? How about creating a 301 redirect? How about a 444 permission? Enough said.

4. Dreamweaver - Great tool, IF you know what you are doing. There is a bit of a learning curve to this tool, but well worth it...if you can get that far.

5. Designing for compatibility - Why does my website look different in Firefox than Internet Explorer. It must be the HTML. But where and How?

6. Speaking of compatibility, Are you ready for Cascasing Style Sheets? They are just as important as HTML is the current world of design, formatting and browser compatibility.

7. Graphic Design - Most professional looking websites are loaded with graphic design. Are you now ready to become a Photoshop Expert, too?

8. Conversion - What font size is best? Which color scheme makes people want to stay? Making a site is one thing, making a site that will draw people to it and make them stay is a fine art.

9. TIME TIME TIME! How much is your time worth? If it takes you 3 weeks to design a website template, is that time well spent? The internet is about content and time spent on technical jargon can bog you down on the real purpose of the website, which is content!

10. There is always someone (or something) out there that can do it better than you and in less time.

From the list above, it may seem like I am totally against designing your own website. I would be a hypocrite if this was true (since I do my own web design). Still, this was a choice I made early in my online career. Was it the best choice? At the time, probably not.

So what options do you have when it comes to developing a website?

1. Content Management Systems - Use a browser-based web design system that does all of the technical stuff for you. SiteBuildIt!, from SiteSell, offers a fully hosted service (with a domain name) that allows you to create your site using simple Widgets and building blocks. The layout, format, graphic design, etc. is done for you. You just need to create your unique style and build your content almost immediately. Also, SiteBuildIt allows you to integrate higher-level, customizable (design) features as you continue to grow your business.

2. A Blog - Blogs are just a name, but they are really just a form of glorified content management system. You can create one in minutes by simply using hosted systems like Blogger.com or Wordpress.com. You can also go a step further and host your own blog with the free to download version of Wordpress at Wordpress.org (costing only a few dollars per month on most standard hosting companies).

3. Outsource Your Website - For those looking for a custom solution, outsourcing may seem expensive, but for a couple of thousand dollars you can have a completely custom website, optimized, professional looking and ready for your content in just a matter of weeks.

There are plenty of other options for eCommerce website design, Adsense websites, forums, directories and so much more. Whatever you need, it has probably already been developed by someone and they probably can offer it to you for a fraction of the price and time that it would take you to do it yourself.