Setting up new website

Gunderful

Hi,

Sorry for the random question but I am trying to setup my own site for art and need some advice.

I want my own domain name, will upload some pictures but not a massive amount of traffic and have a very simple, minimalist design in mind.

There seem to be hundreds of free and not so free places that will help, but what's my best option given I want my own domain name and control over the format?

Btw budget is fairly limited, anything more than a £5-10 a month and its probably too expensive.

Any advice most welcome, thanks.

Mikebellows

You could always build your own site using the following software...

http://www.serif.com/webplus/

And host for about £20 per year : http://one.me/enamvylw

I have built plenty of sites using this software - It really is easy - No programming required.

Have a go - You will be surprised how quick you can get a site up and running for little cost.

fenlander_uk

I'd take a look at Wordpress. It's full of free rides and there are lots of gallery/fine art based templates available that make it really easy to design a site.

You should be able to get hosting, including automated Wordpress installation, plus your domain registration fee for under £50 per annum. Try http://ukwebsolutionsdirect.co.uk/uk-web-hosting.php to get an idea of the numbers and facilities. Don't forget this also gives you your own domain-based email addresses with full control over how you use them, too.

esuhl

When I was looking at this years ago, I noticed a few smaller (slightly dodgy) companies that would give you hosting and domain registration for a pretty small fee... but reading the Ts&Cs it showed that they registered the domain in their own name so potentially they could hold you to ransom since they held all rights to use it.

Not sure how prevalent that is now, though...

1&1 do 5GB of space for £1.19/month for the first year, or unlimited space and a domain name for £3.49/month for the first year. I've used them before and haven't had any problems.

gb12345

esuhl wrote: »

1&1 do 5GB of space for £1.19/month for the first year, or unlimited space and a domain name for £3.49/month for the first year. I've used them before and haven't had any problems.

I would not recommend 1&1. They are fine while you are with them, but a nightmare if you want to cancel.

Both me and a friend had sites with them and decided to cancel. We both advised them that we would be cancelling a couple of months before the renewal date and heard nothing back from them.

Heard nothing at all until a few months after when we both had letters from a debt collection company for the outstanding fees (plus charges etc). Fortunately I had copies of the cancellation, so I told them where to go and after a lot of arguing they agreed that the debt did not exist.

My friend was not so lucky, as he couldn't find the proof that he cancelled, so in the end he had to pay for another years hosting that he didn't want, plus all the charges.

splodger_seedswapper

i built a simple website using the aforementioned serif webplus software - it certainly is easy to use
i use these people for hosting http://www.knethosting.co.uk/ on the whole they offer a reliable service for the money

Mikebellows

Forgot to mention that One.com offer free hosting for the first year.
Your domain name will probably cost around £10 for registration...

And host for about £20 per year - After the first year : http://one.me/enamvylw