A threshold decision for small-business owners is whether to create your own Web site or to hire it done by professionals.

Oftentimes small-business owners with a modicum of computer knowledge and a smidgen of Web savvy are perfectly capable of creating a winning Web site.

So why pay someone to do what you are entirely capable of doing? To decide, answer these questions:

1. Do I have the ability to create a professional looking and adequately functioning Web site? If not, can I reasonably acquire the skills required?

2. Do I have the time and manpower to spare for such tasks?

3. Would my time be more profitably spent on core competencies rather than taking on such an unrelated task?

Every small-business owner knows that time is a limited resource. How much time can be allocated for creating and maintaining a Web site at the expense of time taken away from other activities?

If your business has the time, talent and inclination to build a site the effort may be worthwhile.

Inexpensive software solutions, such as Microsoft’s FrontPage 2002, require little if any knowledge of HTML or other arcane expertise. The software is template-driven and menu-operated for ease of use. Many Internet hosting companies, including Earthlink and Yahoo, provide turnkey Web-based site creation and management tools that essentially allow customization of templates to fit your business needs.

But don’t overlook one consideration. The continuing management and updating of your Web site will take many times the hours and effort of Web site creation. If these time requirements are daunting, consider hiring a designer.