Businesses and departments a corporations are often scrambling to find help with HTML pages. As a project manager, you might find your ace HTML programmer is out sick, on vacation or walking off in search of sunnier vistas.

HTML is not one of today's most complex languages, but it is the foundation of classic web page construction, and it is the underlying language for all of the more advanced languages that have sprung up around it, like Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and server page software like .NET and ASP.

You'll want HTML services and solutions to:

1. Design basic pages or substantial content for a new page.
2. Re-tool pages and change style attributes.
3. Upgrade your pages from simple text-and-image to dynamic pages.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Seek out an HTML computer programmer

A few online resources point you toward programmers who specialize in HTML. These kinds of professionals tend to focus on visual design and not scripting for advanced function pages like submission forms. If your web fixes are HTML-specific, you can hire according to HTML proficiency.

I recommend: Guru's project networking page helps you get quotes from a variety of HTML programmers within hours. The site at Affordable Programmers even gives you a set rate of $10/hr for web design including HTML.

Get comprehensive web help for the HTML development services you need

For projects that go beyond text and image to functional pages, you may want a more versatile set of consultants and programmers. Pages that talk to the server will require advanced scripting in .NET, ASP, PHP and other new languages. Look for services that will adjust their focus based on your needs.

I recommend: The people at Amadeus Consulting will provide support in multiple technologies like C# .NET, ASP.NET, .NET 2.0, ASP.NET 2.0, ADO.NET, VB.NET, Visual Studio and .NET Compact Framework. You can hire PHP programmers and a variety of support at oDesk.

Send your own people back to school for HTML programming

When it comes to HTML programming, it's definitely not unheard of to hire in-house. In fact, it can be vastly more efficient, and since HTML is not cutting-edge technology, it shouldn't take an awful long time to train staff on it. Use online education services to get proficient in this fundamental language.

I recommend: The national educational provider Kaplan has diversified into the field of HTML programming, and offers free information and sign-ups online. You can browse and connect to various programs at the Computer Training Schools site.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Zero in on your needs. If you are sending someone out to get HTML help, specify if it's just display pages you'[re working on or something more advanced. If someone is training, there's no use sitting through hours of stuff they won't use, and if you're hiring, there's no use hiring professionals with advanced skills you don't need. Make the decisions before hiring to save time and money.