Creating a website for a commercial business

My dad has asked me to create a website for his teaching business, but I'm wondering if maybe we should get it done by professionals. I tried to make a site in Rapidweaver, but I can’t find a theme that I think looks good for a teaching site. And while I have made many websites before, I haven't really designed my own layouts for awhile, so I'm a bit out of practice. And since this is our livelihood we're talking about, it may be better to invest a bit in the website :P

I stumbled across NJ Web Design and I really like the sites I saw in their examples, but I'm wondering if maybe I should look for local companies here in Italy instead. I think it depends on what aspects of the the site they handle - whether they just do the graphics, or whether they create the content as well. I read that they specialize in marketing New Jersey businesses, so that probably means it’s better to get a local company to make your website for you. It makes sense, since each country (and probably city) has it’s own customs, interests, and ways of seeing things. For example, I know the posters and trailers they make for movies in Italy are different to the ones made for the same movies in the USA.

So to all my readers, have any of you ever hired a company to create a website for you? Which aspects of the site did they handle, and what was your experience? What were the results, and were they worth it? Would you do it again?

Get Spa Mania for 99 cents!

I have another coupon for you all from Big Fish Games! To get Spa Mania for only 99c, just follow these steps: - Sign-In or create a new account - Click the 'BUY' button on the game page (Mac or PC) - Select the $19.99 price option - Cut and paste this coupon code into the box: SPA99MANIA

The coupon expires on 30 March, so hurry or you'll be too late! ;)

50% off all Big Fish Games

Use the coupon springfever at checkout to get 50% off all Big Fish Games. Expires March 23rd, 2009. Enjoy! :)

Get 10+ commercial games FREE for Mac and Windows

Big Fish Games is a website that has many games for both Mac and Windows users, with an optional subscription service that lets you pay as little as $6.99 per game! At the moment they have quite a few sponsored promotions in which they are giving away games and giving 50% discounts on others. I got the following 9 games free for my Mac: Fairies, Magic Vines, Atlantis, Build-a-lot, Mahjong Towers Eternity, Mystic Inn, Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate, and Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst. Some of the promotions let you choose from a selection of games, so you can get the games you like best (try the demos first if you're undecided).

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR FREE GAMES

1. Sign up for a free account and make sure you are logged in
2. Enter your info on the following Game Redemption Centers:
   - Verbatim (2 free games from a selection of 5)
   - Borders or 6pm (free Huntsville and Mahjong Towers)
   - Roush Fenway (1 free game from a selection of 4)
   - Barnes & Noble (free Haunted Hotel)
   
3. Send a Hallmark card: 1, 2, or 3 (free Sudoku and 1 game from selection of 3)
4. Complete this quiz (2 free games from a selection of 5)
5. Add your chosen games to your cart
6. Add Build-a-lot and Ravenhearst to your cart
7. In your cart, deselect the checkbox next to the backup CD that has been added (unless you want it of course, but it's not free)
8. Insert your coupon codes (check your email for them)
9. Coupons for Build-a-lot and Ravenhearst are FREEBUILD and HOLIDAYRAVEN
10. Once the total is $0, complete your order

Before completing your order you could also add any other games you would like to get, for example the discounted games that you received coupons for - the sequel to Ravenhearst is among them.
Once you have completed your order, you will receive an email with your registration licenses and download links. Enjoy!

P.S. Once you have signed up you can become an affiliate and earn rewards for referring friends and family! I think right now they only offer cash rewards, but soon there will also be an option to get free games if you prefer ;)

Please help Australian bushfire victims

SitePoint is holding a 3 day 5-for-1 book sale - that means you get $149.75 worth of books for $29.95! But more importantly, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of the recent Australian bushfires.

The victims of the bushfires can only rely on donations to keep them going right now. Many have lost their homes, family, and friends, and have been burnt or otherwise injured while trying to escape or help others. Firefighters and emergency workers have also lost their homes while fighting to save the homes of others, and yet they continue to do all they can to help. Click here to read more, and please take this opportunity to make a donation and spread the word.

Free Games from Mac Games Arcade

Mac Games Arcade is giving away a game for free each day until Tuesday! Yesterday they gave away "Pangea Arcade", today they are giving away "Bullet Candy", and over the next 3 days they will be giving away "Rocket Bowl", "Platypus", and "Nanny Mania". Read this post for instructions, and enjoy your free games! :D

Free Mac apps from the Mac Giving Tree

The Mac Giving Tree is giving away several commercial apps for free this Christmas! Right now only 2 apps are available for download - Synergy and Enigmo 2 - but 2 more will be unlocked on Christmas, and another 2 can be unlocked by referring your friends. I'm really excited about getting Enigmo 2, and I can't wait to start playing! I think Synergy will also be very useful - the addition of global hot keys to iTunes means I will probably be using it much more often. I'm also looking forward to finding out what the other apps are going to be! :D Hop on over to the Mac Giving Tree to get your free gifts too! ;)