Why do I need a website?

After Friday's post about getting (and staying) ready for your animation career, reader James wrote in with the following question:

"If I'm an animator and not a web designer, why do I need to know how to make a website? My animations will be on my demo reel and shown on TV. I know nothing about the internet and want to know how I can make an animation website and why I need one. Will it really help me?"

While I'm no Jennifer Kyrnin, I've had a website (and been creating animations for websites) long enough to be able to say confidently that yes, having a website will help you. Not only will it help you expand your area of influence and make your name known to a wider audience, but it allows you more presentation options than your portfolio and demo reel combined - and it's not that hard to accomplish.