Setting Up Website

tombruton87

I have been a web developer for a while mainly working on larger projects for big companies. all these people have made suggestions with no idea if they are right for you. so to give you the best answer will need to know some more info

1. what do you want the website to do(just display some info or do you have more complex requirments.
2. what are your expectations, do you want it to generate business or just a web presence.
3. how much can you spend and how much would you like to spend.

heart_free

If you sign up to Yola through GBBO (Getting British Business Online) you can get a free domain name for 2 years, free hosting and an easy to use website builder. If you're looking for a basic site its really worth it. You have to pay to renew your domain name after 2 years, but by then you should know whether its worth it or not and you may want a more sophisticated site.

boblardo

It depends how technically savvy you are

If you just want to post pictures, videos etc it might be worth looking at a free blogging tool.

Another option is to buy your domain name, (you can get them for about £2.50 per year but you have to buy two years)

you can then sign up to a free webhost service such as Byethost although there are many

once you have a hosting service you can park your domain name using the providers name servers.

canonman

PJB wrote: »

Hi All

Wanted to look into setting up a fairly basic website, I know the address I want isn't taken.

Any ideas on how to go about it? Do I pay someone or can it be done by me? Any guides, help, advice, recommendations etc very gratefully received.

Thanks

PJB

If its allowed, I can build you a website, anything you want within reason. I am not qualified but been knocking up small business sites on the sideline for beer tokens

Just send me a PM...

I am not sure if this is even allowed but would love to help out... and love beer...:beer:

webclinician

I also set up a website within 2 months and it is not actually hard.
Main thing is to try the easy ones first and make sure that any programs or process you chose...the support is good.

One of the easiest way is to use Wordpress. They have so many templates that you can use. The main disadvantage is wordpress itself. You have to abide by their own rules and if they didn't like your site...they will just put it in the bin.

I mainly use webplus by serif. No coding needed and you can set up a shopping cart with ease particularly paypal. They also have a support forum that you will need.

For publishing in web, I use unlimitedwebhosting. The support is very good and they respond within few minutes literally. Big companies respond longer and this is something that you don't need when you need to do something right there and then.

If you have time and you wanted to be an expert, of course dreamweaver is a good option.

But otherwise, make sure that you have someone to ask when needed especially with your software and publisher.

Most of all, buy the domain now or it will disappear later.

PJB

heart_free wrote: »

If you sign up to Yola through GBBO (Getting British Business Online) you can get a free domain name for 2 years, free hosting and an easy to use website builder. If you're looking for a basic site its really worth it. You have to pay to renew your domain name after 2 years, but by then you should know whether its worth it or not and you may want a more sophisticated site.

This sounds interesting, anyone know what the sites look like? And the downside, I ask as it if it sounds too good to be true then . . . . . . . .

tombruton87 wrote: »

I have been a web developer for a while mainly working on larger projects for big companies. all these people have made suggestions with no idea if they are right for you. so to give you the best answer will need to know some more info

1. what do you want the website to do(just display some info or do you have more complex requirments.
2. what are your expectations, do you want it to generate business or just a web presence.
3. how much can you spend and how much would you like to spend.

1. Display info, not selling from site at first but possible later though unlikely.
2. Mainly as web presence via word of mouth, business cards etc so potential customers can view photos of previous work and some options (different colours etc). I'd guestimate up to 20 photos in total that may need changing from time to time. Generating potential business would be good too.
3. The business has a very tight budget as profit margins are not great so I think I might give it a go at doing it myself, what's the worst that can happen Dr Pepper? If I cannot do it I can always pay someone then, in which case i'll be coming here first!

Thanks very much to everyone so far for all their advice it has been a real help :T

webclinician

If you wanted to do it absolutely on your own just like I did...this is the most basic cost.
Webplus software-£=/- 60
Unlimitedwebhosting-£4 a month
Web domain- £20
Template- £16 (bought it on serif template away from webplus site and it saved me a great deal of time designing.)
Filezilla client- free (unlimitedwebhosting told me about this)
Your time- priceless

I have not included all the trial and error I did but this is what I use now

kaster

webclinician wrote: »

Most of all, buy the domain now or it will disappear later.

Seconded. The last you want is to plan the site and then find the domain has gone.