Here are 10 big mistakes that many business owners make with their websites. Stay clear of these!

1. Weak Planning - most of you won't sit down and plan out your business site in detail. You will likely leave it to someone else to create for you and you'll approve it if it is generally what you wanted. Take control and plan the design of your site. The entire format should be your ideas, coupled with what works for other major sites in your niche - or maybe even outside your niche. It is a safe bet that companies like Amazon, and other major companies are going with what works. It may work for you too.

Anyone who wants to provide information, sell something, share information or promote a business knows that a Web presence will help them achieve those goals.

A non-profit organization may want to promote itself to potential donors and volunteers, as well as provide information through letters and articles related to its work, so that all who are interested can learn about that organization. A youth center may want to display a map with directions that explains how to get to the center, hints on activities, tips on where to find good equipment, a photo gallery of the gym with action shots of kids playing... Unlike other marketing strategies, a Website has a global reach and can be accessed online 24-7.

If you want a Website, but you're not a designer or developer, how can you go about getting one? You don't have the time to learn what it takes to be a Web design guru and you don't trust cousin of your, who studied computer science, has enough experience to build you a professional Website. So, who can you hire to build your site? With thousands of Web designers and developers out there, ranging from individual freelancers to big Web design agencies, how can you make sure you choose the right help?

What Do You Want?

In order to find help, you need first to figure out what you want. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What kinds of information do you want on the site? How big do you think your site will be?

• Who are your users? Do you know which operating system and browser they are using?

• Will your site require regular updates? Would you like to make changes yourself?

• Will you be selling something?

• Will you need a database to store and retrieve information?

• Do you want to rely on search engines to send more traffic to your site?

• When do you need the job done?

• What is your budget?