New web presence

Scottr

I've had a search an found some help for my query but nothing recent so I wonder if anyone can help.

I manufacture and sell my items mostly through Facebook but also on eBay. As I want to go to the next level, I need a website that I can maintain myself. Where do I turn to that is easy enough for a beginner but not too basic?

Also, I have found a domain name that I want but after I 'buy' it, what do I do with it?

Any help will be fantastic, thanks

forgotmyname

After you buy it you find somewhere to host it. Learn to create one yourself or use the hosters free tools if provided. Or pay someone to make one for you.

The hard part os getting people to visit it. Where will you be advertising?

steeeb

More specifically you need an e-commerce website. Either find some good local companies to give you a quote or use the whole host of "free" solutions (which all have different pros and cons).

It depends if you're willing to invest money in to it, or whether you're looking to do it for "free".

Scottkr_2

I've thought about an e-commerce site but as the products we sell are bespoke, we need the customer to get in touch to discuss how they want the want the item specced before they actually buy.


So I now have the domain purchased through GoDaddy and this weekend I will be looking to build the website. So, is the GoDaddy builder any good or would I be better using WIX or something else altogether?


And as for hosting, any recommendations and guide on prices?


Advertising won't be much of an issue as we are currently using social media and getting quite good results from it. But as always, I am open to any ideas at all.


Many thanks

System

Hi

My view on 'Godaddy' is the that the tools are abysmal for DIY creation. The emphasis is on using one of their recommended builders.

rhysadams

There are a few companies for hosting I'd recommend, but avoid some of the build yourself jobs like WIX and the free GoDaddy ones.

Go WORDPRESS and get yourself a guide from WH Smith for about a tenner. Its so easy and their are hundreds of forums out there to help you. You can get free themes and paid for ones, you can run an online shop with them, integrate ebay and facebook if required and much more.

Make sure the host supports the latest PHP however I'd recommend one of the following. Either Smart Hosting (where you can automatically install wordpress) it costs about £2.99 per month, High Heel Creative which is about £3.99 per month or TSOHost from about £1.25 per month. Support on the first option is excellent.

Once you have wordpress up and running have a look at a plugin called Yoast for SEO and IFTTT for your social networking shares.

chunter

You probably don't need an ecommerce website.

If it's a bespoke product which you are manufacturing and selling, it's more important for prospective customers to see the range and quality of your product.

Photos are crucial to help explain the options available.

angryparcel

also when you find a host do reasearch, google <hostname> reviews and see if anything comes up