While having a website might not be the be-all-and-end-all for many small businesses, it can be an important part of the marketing mix.

But finding a designer sympathetic to the needs of a business isn't always easy.

Most towns have small operations offering to provide websites for low prices, although the quality can vary widely.

University

If you're lucky, you might be able to take advantage of an organisation such as Canalside Media, an offshoot of the University of Huddersfield's computing department.

Farmer Neil Gemmell was taking a computer course at the university when it was suggested his business could benefit from an internet presence.

Neil and his wife Dawn have set up a shop at their farm in Emley, selling meat, home-made sausages and produce from neighbouring farms.

Neil: finds his website very useful

"The website has been very useful as a way of advertising and drawing people in," says Neil.

"If you get outside the local area - the Yellow Pages and the local paper - it's very difficult to attract people who could travel to the shop."

They're considering whether to expand into internet deliveries.

Design

The site design cost �2,000, but was done in such a way that Neil can maintain and update it himself.

The look aims to evoke the traditional image of farming.

John Kelly, studio director at Canalside Media, says it's important to combine technical knowhow with creativity.

The business is an unusual venture that enables students to volunteer their services in return for valuable work experience.

John stresses the importance of branding, and conveying a customer's culture and goals through its website, something which businesses don't always achieve.

Profits

Canalside Media puts any profits back into the business, upgrading technology and buying new software.

After two years, it's already looking to move to larger premises.

John: "It's a real asset for the students"

"We have outstripped our business plan, benefited a lot of firms in the local and regional area and, more to the point, benefited our students," says John.

"We are finding that all our graduates are going out there about two or three years ahead of normal graduates."

Students

The students are grateful for the opportunity.

"You don't get this type of business environment at university so it's a real asset for the students," says graduate Sharika Saeed, who's now one of Canalside Media's two employees.

Richard Stewart is between finishing his degree and starting his masters.

"It's all about experience," he says. "You can all go out with CVs as graduates but I think this sets us apart.

"We are dealing with clients every day of the week in a proper business environment. We actually apply the knowledge we have learned in a real world experience."

Competition

John Kelly points out that the business is not out to undercut other designers.

He says it can be more expensive as it carries the university's name so wants to maintain a high standard.

"Our aim is to supply the industry with top calibre graduates," he says.

Students have found experience gained at Canalside invaluable

"What we were finding was that a lot of companies were complaining that they could not get graduates to actually enter into their place of employment, sit down and work straight away.

"They were spending a lot of time and investment getting them up to speed."

Cost

Getting the highest calibre of designers to provide a website might be beyond many small businesses, but there are ways.

NotMuch is a project which offers top design from very low prices.

"We were sick to death seeing small businesses being ripped off and getting poor design," says Richard Budd of Lionheart Graphics, one of the people behind the scheme.

"You should put as much effort into a design for a small company as you would for a large one."

A basic �500 package provides a seven page website giving the vital information companies need to get across:

who you are

what you do

where you are and how to get there

how to get in touch

"The idea is to give people a taster of how you should be driven by design and not get caught up with the technical side," says Richard.

"Although the medium is different, everything should be in key with the products and services you are offering."

Investment

Parkes & Son, a Derbyshire logistics company, paid several thousand pounds for its site, which has been up for a year.

Martin Parkes says it's becoming a necessity, but there's no point in skimping.

The Parkes & Son site has been up for a year

"If you haven't got a website and you are in business these days you are in the minority," he says.

"It's an excellent focal point for marketing so people can have a look without you producing brochures which go out of date.

"It should be considered an investment, and if you have high standards, you can't afford to have a cheap DIY site. You have to spend money and do it properly."

Finding a designer

So how do you go about finding a designer? You could start by searching the web for companies - look at their sites and see if you like their style.

If you prefer lots of face-to-face contact, have a look at local sites from your home town and decide which ones you like; the designer's name can usually be found on the front page.

In fact there is a government scheme to help small and medium sized businesses get help for websites. Up to �1,000 is available, although unfortunately applications for the current scheme end today (6 December).

But it might be worth contacting your local UK Online for Business adviser to see if the deadline has been extended or if there is to be another scheme in the future.

And if money is short and you fancy doing it yourself, click the link on the right hand side of this page for some tips.