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building business website advice  

post #1 of 15
8/31/08 at 11:54am
Thread Starter 
Hi, I'm wondering if I can get some help, suggestions, or any advice on building a business website.
I create art and crafts and I really want to personalize a site and make it into something that really reflects my creative energy not to mention a lovely place to hold a gallery of my creations.

I've searched online looking for "how to build your website for free" and found many different sites that offer that sort of thing.
So, in a sea of selections, does anyone have any recommendations? Where to start? Who isn't going to slip in fees here and there, ya know?

I've never done anything like this before so I really don't know what to do.
I would appreciate any and all help.
And for those who build websites for a living, I cannot afford to pay someone to build something for me so I couldn't hire a professional. Sorry and thank you anyway.

If anyone is interested in helping me along the whole process, please send me a PM.
Thank you!
post #2 of 15
8/31/08 at 1:23pm
I wouldn't really recommend anything you can get for free. From what I have read, free ends up looking cheap, especially if you don't know what you are doing. You can get affordable site builders/hosting out there. I'd recommend you take a look at Watersweb.
post #3 of 15
8/31/08 at 4:17pm
If you are going to use a website building tool that is free, it's going to look cookie cutter and cheap.

Have you even looked at options for having someone build you something? There are a lot of different options out there and different price ranges also because of systems like Wordpress. For instance, my DH often points people in the direction of doing some of the work themselves while he does technical work that makes the site look professional. This really keeps the cost down for small businesses on a budget. I know you can get a free consultation at Search Friendly Web Design.
post #4 of 15
8/31/08 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 
Its not that I don't [I]want[I] to invest in a professional. I just do not have the means to.
That really sucks that those free "make your own sites" look bad...
Oh well, I guess that's my only option for now.
Thanks for the advice.
I'm sure something will work out.
post #5 of 15
8/31/08 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
Just out of curiosity, how much does it cost to have a proper website built??
post #6 of 15
8/31/08 at 6:20pm
mamakye,

i have been working with a mom's wahm group all doing similar start up stuff as you. we have figured out that the best route to go is to buy your domain through godaddy, use templates from wordpress and host with gator. All pretty inexpensive and wordpress has some great templates that you could play with and get a pretty good looking website. What I am doing is having someone help me design a really pretty banner for the top of my site but I am putting it all together. Since you do crafts I bet you could trade a wahm who has some design skills for some basic help.

You Can Do it!
post #7 of 15
8/31/08 at 7:53pm
Have you considered setting up shop at http://www.etsy.com to start? You can save up for a professionally built and hosted website as you go.

And some of the WAHM hosting sites have basic shop templates built in. Like someone above recommended WatersWebHosting. Their ShopKitPlus could work for you. They have free templates for their shops so there is no 'building' you have to do - http://www.waterswebshops.com/Free_SKP_Templates.html
post #8 of 15
9/1/08 at 5:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aoife View Post
Have you considered setting up shop at http://www.etsy.com to start? You can save up for a professionally built and hosted website as you go.

And some of the WAHM hosting sites have basic shop templates built in. Like someone above recommended WatersWebHosting. Their ShopKitPlus could work for you. They have free templates for their shops so there is no 'building' you have to do - http://www.waterswebshops.com/Free_SKP_Templates.html
Ok. Maybe I'm just in over my head because I don't even know what these templates are! yikes! lol

I'll have a look at these websites. Maybe it will start making sense once I begin reading about it.
Also, I've thought of posting on etsy. But I always thought that when showing my creations, it would be better displayed in a place or site that fully reflected me as an artist - my background, inspirations, philosophies, etc. I want it to me more than just an object that someone buys from me. I'd like to offer the whole experience, as well. kwim?
post #9 of 15
9/1/08 at 9:47pm
well, the templates mean that someone tech saavy already "built" the site but left it open for you to plug in your art/info/writing/colors/designs etc.

i totally here you about wanting your own site, though i think if you are not able to hire some help right away (or learn how yourself) starting off with an etsy might get the ball rolling. Then maybe you can generate sales and use some of that money to build the site you are envisioning.
post #10 of 15
9/2/08 at 9:36am
HTML is really not hard to learn. Then you can use a template and customize it to your taste yourself.

Maybe my 2 cents isn't worth much, because my sites are about as "factory standard" as they come. I'm pretty lazy about customization because for my purpose, I don't think look is all that critical... though sometimes I'm a little embarrassed about them, lol.
post #11 of 15
9/2/08 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kokonutmama View Post
HTML is really not hard to learn. Then you can use a template and customize it to your taste yourself.

Maybe my 2 cents isn't worth much, because my sites are about as "factory standard" as they come. I'm pretty lazy about customization because for my purpose, I don't think look is all that critical... though sometimes I'm a little embarrassed about them, lol.
Whether its my ideal website or just starting off, I think it would be worth it to give it a try.
From what you said, the template thing seems interesting. I am definitely goint to look into it more.

Thank you!
post #12 of 15
9/2/08 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MamaKye View Post
Ok. Maybe I'm just in over my head because I don't even know what these templates are! yikes! lol

I'll have a look at these websites. Maybe it will start making sense once I begin reading about it.
Also, I've thought of posting on etsy. But I always thought that when showing my creations, it would be better displayed in a place or site that fully reflected me as an artist - my background, inspirations, philosophies, etc. I want it to me more than just an object that someone buys from me. I'd like to offer the whole experience, as well. kwim?
Templates, as referred to in relation to Watersweb SKP, is just the look of the site. She has many included so you just have to select your look from a drop down menu.

A template, in reference to other straight HTML sites, means you are given files to insert your content into and you customize them and load them to your host. You do need to know HTML and FTP to use them.

You can learn to build your website for free, but you do have to purchase hosting and a domain. So, in that case, I recommend the Watersweb one for First time website owners because its includes hosting, cart and templates already so you don't need to learn HTML and FTP.
post #13 of 15
9/2/08 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
But what if I just wanted a website just for personal use??? Does that involve basically the same codes or templates as a business website just without a shopping cart or something? I guess maybe the set up is just different.
post #14 of 15
9/2/08 at 10:30am
There is a much longer geekier explanation, but in the very simplest of terms, for any website that is not purchased as a 'cart' or a 'prebuilt' site (like the ShopKit), you are going to need to know how to use at least basic html and ftp in order to make your site work, have it look good, and get it and your pictures from your computer onto the web for all to see.


ETA:
Quote:
But I always thought that when showing my creations, it would be better displayed in a place or site that fully reflected me as an artist - my background, inspirations, philosophies, etc. I want it to me more than just an object that someone buys from me. I'd like to offer the whole experience, as well. kwim?
For your site to be totally unique to you, you'd need to have someone make you a custom logo, buttons, background, layout, etc. (if you were well versed in web design and graphics, you could do it yourself, but it sounds like everything about web design is new to you ) You can make a very basic simple website as someone just starting out though, and then save up to have it customized to better reflect *you*.
post #15 of 15
9/2/08 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MamaKye View Post
But what if I just wanted a website just for personal use??? Does that involve basically the same codes or templates as a business website just without a shopping cart or something? I guess maybe the set up is just different.
Yes and no. The way its built is the same, you still have to code it with HTML. You wouldn't need a cart, but if you didn't go with a cart or content management system you'd have to learn HTML and FTP and still pay for hosting and a domain.

If its personal, no cart needed... go with WordPress blog. They can be set up like websites and are easier to manage and you can get tons of templates for free to install. No real HTML needed. They even have a free hosting service but you have to buy your domain to point there. Thats the best option I have for someone who doesn't know much (or any) HTML and wants a easy, low cost solution.
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