How do I go about altering website?

Lil306

keigcf wrote: »

I've logged into streamline, and got to control panel, and found download, its asking for FTP username and password.... tried the streamline log in details and got error message, I will keep trying!

Do you have a File Manager section ?

What's the control panel name you are using cPanel ?

keigcf

I even rang streamline, and the lady said the user name and password for FTP were the same as the control panel.....
I am thinking its easier to do a new one, as I have to alter the other one anyway. Streamline hosting fees are out in September as well..

Lleucu

Sut mae sut dych chi? As a local resident, I liked the website, but can see it needs updating, loads of local facilities and events need to be added eg Royal Welsh Show Judges Lodgings Offa's Dyke Glyndwr's Way riding stables.

I use blogger (Google) you have to start from scratch but it is very easy to build a site because you have direct control. There are also many many free sources of advice out there blogger is free and you can with a bit of work eliminate the adverts and create something you like. It is easy to turn blogger into a website.

Blogger is to be found on http://www.blogger.com/home and you can download Windows Livewriter for free to keep updating a blog about the site. (if you could persuade your mother to blog).

Best of all no messing around with domain names or CPanels, all too difficult for a beginner.

More upmarket (and more difficult) is though I think Wordpress you can buy a 'ready to go model'.

Good luck and if you need any more help with blogger please pm me, cofion gorau i chi.

keigcf

How can a blogger have the same picture/details as a website? I can see how you could have an up to date blog on your site.... but don't see how that would give all the information.:o

Lleucu

Hi the point is that Blogger can be adapted (with a bit of work) to whatever you want, a many pictures and links as you like, the existing website could be incorporated into a blogger with a couple of hours work if you know what you are doing. There are also many widgits (gadgets) to help.

Steps I took:

1. Set up blogger account, you have to set up a google account first, then look for 'more' and then 'blogger'.
2. Set up blog following simple instructions.
3. You could choose a domain name which could be easily found eg campingonfarmllandrindodwells or whatever you want. Campingllandrindodwells is available.
4. Remove all extraneous stuff you dont want eg navigation bars, comment, Acorn (whatever that is!).
5. Add tabs at the top for fixed links. You can create the pages in google and then link. This could be for prices, local information, rules etc.
6. You can add up to 10 fixed pages - very useful for additional information. A page in Welsh might be nice as it is a Welsh site.
7. You can put up as many photos as you like on the front page but be careful not to crowd out the content. One good thing about blogger is no messing around photos can be transferred easily from your computer.
8. You can get rid of the blog altogether if you want but it might be a good idea to keep it as you / your mother could occasionally blog with a nice photo or event. eg fully booked in August, heat wave in Crossgates etc.
9. There are many sites (free) devoted to helping you blog http://www.bloggersentral.com/ is helpful but there are others.

All this and more can be done in Wordpress but it is more complicated and difficult to do.

dave2

My 2p is first things first, decide exactly what you want to do with the site and what is realistic. I tend to find the best sites are either very simple with just key information and details of where to find out more (e.g. link to local tourist info) OR ones that really are seen as a priority and kept fully up to date. Anything in-between fails because is obsolete information is often worse than no information.

The current xkcd comic is also relevant

Lleucu's suggestion is a good one IMHO (generally that is, I'm not familiar with Blogger specifically). Especially if you want to do a site that is frequently updated, as it is a quick way to a much better site than you are likely to be able to do even if you spent a LOT of time studying web design. The vast, vast majority of websites are not created from scratch but are customised either from something like Blogger or model code like Joomla.

Once you have the site running you should then be able to go to Tucows and somewhere there should be a setting to have your existing domain (www.churchhousefarm.net) point to your new site.

That said, if all you want is the most basic of sites like what is there currently, a hand-coded page is as simple as can be and provided you are careful with image sizes and such, usually loads up extremely quickly.

keigcf

Just to update, I did download filezilla, did manage to download the files, but couldn't alter...
So I have gone onto streamline and adapted a standard site of there's, I can then just scrap the old one (but keep name) which I think in the long run will work out easier as I am not technical minded really.....
Thank you to everyone who tried to sort me out.... will look into the blogging as well...:j

Lleucu

Just searched on campsites on blogger and found this one http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/tiny-campsites-eco-travel-dixe-wills-interview-podcast/ as an example.

I forgot to say that with Windows Livewriter you can link the site easily to You Tube (post a nice video) or Facebook and post easily from your laptop. Live Writer is also free and very easy to use.

nicola_blue

hey, i used to build websites, it does take a long time (years) to learn how to do them fully, blogger looks to good, with all its templates and you can change them too and add your own logos, banners and such, and its mega easy to update, which sounds like what you need, then just point your domain name at it. i love making banners and logos so i would be happy to make you some for your blogger page xx

Lleucu

And I would be happy to set up a basic site if you want