In a previous Hub (10 Reasons NOT to Design Your Own Website), I discussed 10 reasons that you should NOT be designing your own website, rather develop a website. In website development, you do not get yourself involved in the syntax, coding or management of your website. This can be achieved by:

• Using a Content Management System (CMS) - These are browser-based website builders that you can create the look and content of your website through the use of forms and widgets.
• Outsource the Website Design - You can use a freelance website designer to create virtually any kind of website that you like.

Both of these options are excellent and easy to manage website solutions that are either cost effective or highly customizable (respectively). For the beginning and novice internet users and developers, both of these options are quite good. Still, a third option exists. You can create, design and develop your own website. Designing your website can be technically challenging and time draining at first. There are still some huge advantanges to designing your own site:

1. Can be CHEAP! - There are many HTML editors out there that are well less than $100 (like CoffeeCup) or even free (like NVU). Professional website editors are still relatively inexpensive at less than $300 in most cases (like Adobe Dreamweaver or Microsoft Frontpage).
2. More (and CHEAPER!) Hosting Options - Most Content Management Systems require you to reside on their hosting. These hosts are usually rather robust but charge anywhere from $10-$30 per month, depending on the system. This is still not bad, but most general hosting options can be purchased at less than $5/month.
3. More Customizable - You know what you want better than you can probably explain it (or more than what is offered by a CMS).
4. Can be quicker and more efficient in the long run - Relying on a freelancer to create and modify your design can take time, iterations and money.
5. Content Management Systems Can be Restrictive! - Many times, you must rely on what the CMS has to offer. Most of them allow advanced manipulations of the templates and styles, but adding dynamic, customizeable features is usually not an option.
6. Finding a Good Freelancer Can Be Tough - For customized designs, you need to hire a freelance designer. This can be risky, time consuming and costly. Finding the right man for the job is not a trivial task (and can be a time consuming one at that!)

7. Something Goes Wrong! - Relying on others can cause major down-time and high expense when the website is not working right!

8. Developing Web Design Skills Will Strengthen You Online - This is one of the biggest benefits! Understanding how website are developed and designed allows you more flexibility for modifying current designs and creating new designs faster than an freelancer or CMS.

9. Outsourcing Skills Improve - Once you understand how it technically works, you can manage others much more efficiently for future projects (while still having the knowledge not to rely on them in case of disaster!). Price negotiation becomes easier and cheaper, too.

10. Best Marketing Ideas Come From Design - Staying one step ahead of your competition is always the key to successful marketing online. Having an extra survey, take-at-home test, unique pop-up or special analytics code can propel your site to greatness!

Personally, I chose the route of learning HTML, PHP and MySQL and the learning curve was arduous and lengthy. After months of trial and error and a couple of years of experience, I find myself with the unique knowledge of both website design and online marketing. Development of complex websites are now quick, trivial and virtually free while my marketing efforts have become simpler and more effective.

If you feel that you have the technical aptitude to learn these moderately complex computer languanges, spending the time at the beginning to learn them may strengthen your online presence for the future.