Developing an online presence affordably and professionally is possible today with tools that allow users to build either low cost or no cost web sites.

During the past 5 years, I've worked with graphic artists and web developers and I have listened to numerous conversations that companies need to set themselves apart with customized sites - not templates. Templates were considered unprofessional. While I once agreed, I have come to respect the power of templates today and many of them have excellent custom designs and features.

A client of my marketing company, Right Touch Marketing, provides web development services for major corporations that are household names and businesses needing to expand their online presence. While they were willing to help me develop my own marketing site, they were caught up in some major projects and suggested choosing a template site.

The benefits of templates are:

• Little programming is required
• Set-up may only take minutes
• Designs are varied and even have customization capabilities

So I developed my Right Touch Marketing site using a free Wordpress template.

I studied other sites and built one for my acting using www.Homestead.com. Check out www.actordonsimkovich.com

Another site worth reviewing is http://www.weebly.com/.

Professional looking templates are also available at the popular Template Monster site.

Now, a word of caution. There is a learning curve in playing around with the tools. For me, while I enjoy Hubpages and all that it offers, it also requires time in becoming familiar with the features.

Features of Low Cost, No Cost Sites

DESIGN

It's possible to have a template and then have the ability to customize the design.

For existing designs, I felt Homestead.com has a better selection than Weebly. There are numerous Wordpress designs available as well. Simply type "Wordpress templates" into Google and you'll see the variety.

FUNCTIONALITY

The way a web site functions separates the templates and the cost of the templates.

Navigation

On my Wordpress site, you'll notice how I link from one page to another.

But you'll also notice I don't have a drop down navigation bar.

So I can create an unlimited number of pages, but I have to hyperlink to the text.

Drop down menus are available on more expensive Wordpress templates.

Homestead.com and Weebly both have the navigation and drop down capabilities.

Multimedia

The free templates available allow for full use of video, various photos, and audio uploads.

So once the content is recorded and edited, a template site can have multimedia capabilities and break free from being a static site.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Any web site owner today should have complete access to changing the content whenever they want. It may take a basic knowledge of html but it's possible for web design companies to offer CMS as part of their service.

Templates also allow for a full content management system so the company who owns the site doesn't have to pay monthly service fees to make changes - unless that's the arrangement with the graphic artist.

ECOMMERCE CAPABILITIES

It's also possible to turn the sites into online store fronts. For Homestead, it changes the monthly rate which begins 30 days for free and then runs from $ 4.99 to $ 49.99 a month depending on the package.

Linking low cost sites with articles on open content sites like Hubpages, building an Internet presence may require an investment of time, but it's easy on the cash flow.