Starting a website... HELP!!!!

greatfloyd69

Firstly, if this question is on the wrong board apologies..... but can somebody PLEASE help me!!

I'm trying to create a website. I want to sell products, nothing massive, I'm not trying to take over the world! I've bought a domain name. And My step daughter used dreamweaver as a web design package at school, I've tried to find a free download but only managed to find a 30 day free trial, can anyone help me with the following questions....

1) Is Dreamweaver free any where online?? I [STRIKE]cannot[/STRIKE]sorry....WILL NOT afford £500+ for the actual software!!!!
2) If not dreamweaver, should I be worried about using non-HTML web hosters ??? (please understand I'm still learning about all these topics!)

greatfloyd69

Also, I'm intent on doing this myself, I don't want to pay somebody else to do this.

hodgey87

Dreamweaver isnt free unfortunately, you can create a fully working website just by using notepad. Alot of people work different ways i prefer notepad but others like the user / graphical interface in dreamweaver.

greatfloyd69

I'm sorry if this seems dense, but if I do this how do I upload to the Internet... my domain name is with GoDaddy.

Britta

There is something fairly easy to use that I have used for an online shop.

It's called "shopperpress" and is a paid "theme" to use with "wordpress" which is a free to use open source CMS (content management system).

You need to pay for the theme, pay for your own hosting and also need to do some graphics yourself if you want banners etc.

Britta

greatfloyd69 wrote: »

I'm sorry if this seems dense, but if I do this how do I upload to the Internet... my domain name is with GoDaddy.

You need some hosting / web space.
You don't need to buy the hosting from GoDaddy though.

andybeeruk

Godaddy has one click script installations, did notice they have zen cart, which is to setup your own e commerce shop. these scripts all come as free add ons to your server hosting account with your domain purchase.

I have dabbled with these scripts, they are good once you get your head around all the features. but zen cart should have you up and running with a nice themed shop using paypal and other payment methods in no time at all.

hope that helps. do bear in mind it will take about a day, pulling hair, your own, and lots of paper and pens for writing passwords down for admin access for your site.

greatfloyd69

So please tell me if I've got this right, hyperthetically lets assume I do go with godaddy, just for this example. They have web hosting package or a website builder.... if a purchase the web hosting package I can upload my own creation from photoshop...??

greatfloyd69

Thank you andybeeruk, that does help. I'm still trying to get to grips with all this. I'm starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into. All the research I've done says how building websites is as easy as 1,2,3.... I'm not entirely convinced.

ivavoucher

My advice would be to forget Dreamweaver and go for a hosting package that includes a free commerce script.
A lot less work and cheaper.

These shopping carts are very easy to use, look professional and can be setup automatically with just a few clicks.

See here for examples of some of the available web applications:

http://easyhosting.co.uk/index.php?page=installatron_application_installer

andybeeruk

greatfloyd69 i agree with ivavoucher, forget dreamweaver photoshop, experiment with these one click script installs, they are very easy, just write some notes down as you go through the 1,2,3 steps. passwords usernames.

once up and running you can change the css files or use a theme from what the host offers or upload your own, you can find lots of zen cart themes for free on google. chooose one and maybe modify to your own taste. put your own banner adverts across the top of your page or use side bar adverts for extra effects.

good luck hope all goes well