If you are looking for a new website, it would be helpful if you understand the following before you proceed.

• The modern website must be a totally integrated part of the entire Internet, linked into the many and varied channels for distribution of it's content.
• Therefore the choice is not between one website and another in terms of visual presentation, but more importantly, between web platforms.

The difference between a typewriter and a computer is obvious, but when it comes to websites most people are unaware of the differences between the types of websites, and the impact that it will have on their future business to choose incorrectly.

In the simplest of terms the first generation of websites were static coded pages with hyperlinks between the pages and other content located across the web. These sites were usually generated in html. Videos and images would be coded into each page.

• The first generation websites were little more than brochure pages for the business. This type of site is still available, and is only really suitable for very small businesses such as tradesmen.

Of course the Internet, along with all communications technology, has leapt forward since those early days.

The classic video below by Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology, comes from 2007 and superbly illustrates the development of web coding technology and it's effect on the user experience.

The modern website must be a totally integrated part of the entire Internet, linked via it's code into the many and varied channels for distribution of it's content which includes your products and services.

Therefore the choice is not between one website and another in terms of visual presentation, but more importantly between web platforms.

Joomla! and Wordpress are content management systems (CMS) used by millions of websites, and they offer stability and scaleability with multiple extensions available to tailor the website to the exact needs of any business.

Like all dynamic platforms the data or content of the website is held in a connected database with the information being served to the user as it is called.

• One of the most important fundamentals to grasp is that once a website has been constructed using the platform, the visual appearance of the site can be changed at any time without needing to change the underlying platform.

This is important as it not only drastically reduces future costs for redesign, it also prevents damage to the search engine positioning of the website caused by scapping a site and starting again from scratch.

Keep the platform, and change the visuals.