big hand needed

[Deleted Member]

Just occured to me that this forum could signpost me in the direction of true unbiased advice about the web (as well as enable me to put off plastering the bathroom 'till tomorrow)

Problem.
I use the web (surprise) and am comfortable with it but I need to set up a website for my business and also one for my travels later in the year so where does one go to start to understand and that stuff?
I must have five calls a week from companies offering to set me up a business website, host it, service it etc but is this something I can do myself and furthermore where is a safe place to host your site that it won't suddenly dissappear over night and leave you back at square !

alan

 

[Iain Hogg]

To get you started, your ISP probably gives you 50MB of web space with your account.

Search thier home page to get details on how to access it and then start by creating simple web pages and uploading them for your own amusement.

The web pages are written in HTML - relatively easy to get started and can get as complicated as you want later! There are hundreds of books out there on getting started, lots of useful (?) programs on the web to automatically create web pages etc.

The uploading uses something called FTP which can be a bit clunky to get used to, but there are also several free programs available to simplify the task. You can even "drag and drop" files using Internet Explorer.

First things first though, try creating a small web site locally on your own PC and see how you get on.

When you finally commit to a proper web site for the business, you will need to register a snappy name for it and set up the redirection to wherever your actual site is based.

Good luck,

Iain

 

[Deak]

It's not difficult once you know how. I taught myself a year or so ago and it took about a day to grasp the basics but you can spend months perfecting your design.

I used microsoft publisher which I already had on my PC to design my website. Its not the best software for web design but it serves its purpose without having to spend more money. You just create your design and save as a webpage. My site isn't perfect but I have the satisfaction of being able to control it myself and it doesn't cost me anything other than about an hour of my time a week to update it. You will always have the design on your computer hard drive so if you change your ISP you can publish your website to the new one.

You should automatically have ftp web publishing software with windows (assuming you are using windows). If you go to settings, then control panel and open add/remove programs, you will find that in windows setup, internet tools there is a web publishing wizard. You will need your web publishing address from your ISP and then the wizard helps you do the rest.

Your ISP usually gives you 50mb of personal webspace. My website currently takes up about 9mb even with around 100 pages with photo's so you should have more than enough space.

You can buy a cheap domain name from companies like www.uk2.net and then direct that address to your ISP address ie alanhopkins.co.uk to alanhopkins.ntlworld.com etc etc

 

[richie]

I teach office programs for a living and once or twice make a site a year for clients (word of mouth) I normaly charge £1000 for a site with anywhere from 10 to 100 pages.

Including a Flash type intro and hosting and the .com and statistics bla bla bla.

It is true that it is easy to make a web site. But to make one which is good is a bit more complicated than some imagine. It all depends on what you want. If its mainly for fun yes you should do it yourself. If you want something that looks pro again do it yourself but take time to read up on making things right.

Good luck, I would recommend dreamweaver or flash rather than Frontpage.

 

[Deleted Member]

this sound ok?

I just had a call back today from the sales guy who prompted this thread.

He works for rapidrank.com and will design me a site for £200 +vat (I'm vat reg so can reclaim) than there is a £10 p.c.m. or £100 p.a. charge to have the site ranked(?) with main search engines every 48 hrs. Yahoo, lycos, overture, msn, uk plus, hot bot etc...
They host as well which is good as my domestic circumstances are changing and therefore i.s.p. will probably change too (on cable where I am at the mo.)
The domain reg fee is included too and although registered through them it belongs to me. They supply software free for me to access and change my site content at will, usefull to update portfolio images.

I could probably master designing my own web page but the complex hassle of uploading and maintaining etc would be time consuming not to mention infuriating (as is anything linked with windows) plus the re ranking with the search engines will make the site earn its breakfast where on a home made job it would sit there in virtual invisibility .

Does this sound ok?
It does to me but remember, I am doing all this in self confessed ignorance.
A big thank you for the replies and interest. It's nice to think you fellas found time to sit and type non bike related stuff for me, cheers.

alan

 

[richie]

By all means let them design you a site but host it and buy the dot com yourself for £35 a year in the UK including a .com and 500 megabytes

No worries afterwards about who owns the .com and who manages it. Two different things.

PM me if you want the details of hosting at that price (no Its not me)