Websites are still a vital piece of online culture, and can be an important tool in the freelancer's kit. As always, it comes down to a question of risks, rewards, and getting the best return on your investment.

Carolyn Topperman manages her own sites and helps international clients, Marisa Baratta is a freelance writer revamping her web presence a tight freelance budget, and Stephen Butters is a professional web developer with more than 20 years in the business.

The questions ranged from startup to mature websites, when and how to do it yourself and when to bring in a pro, customized or on a consumer platform like Wordpress or Wix, managing content, analytics, accessibility and copyright issues, the importance of domain names, and the use of advanced features.

Three points of view give this overview of website best practice value for freelancers from novices to long-time website owners.