Building a Family Website

Bean_Counter

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a domain name and create a website. Nothing fancy, just to post pictures of the family on, that sort of thing.

So, I guess I am looking for someone to host the site and to provide a basic template to get the thing up and running. I dare say over time I would then tart it up.

I am not expecting it to be free, but equally as it is not for business, I don't want to spend much.

When I look on the internet for somewhere suitable, there seems such a large choice. Could anyone please recommend a suitable place to start?

Many thanks.

ormus

MS office live used to give out 1 free site per user plus a free domain name. not sure if they still do it?
(make sure you click beta. the beta one was the free one)

(you can also link your own domain name to it if req).

yahoo and all the major isp,s (bt aol etc..) usually give out a free websites, although the free site name will not be a real pukka domain name.

Farway

If you type "free family website" without inverted commas into Google you will find loads to sort through

i have not tried them

If you want a personal name, beancounter-family.org.uk for instance, then register your name with say 123 http://www.123-reg.co.uk/ for a couple of quid a year, the find a host, plenty of free ones or for more then you could buy space at say http://www.3ix.org/ for $1 a month [about 6 quid a year]

You could find free templates on the web, or maybe on cover cds on some PC mags

U've_been_framed

As ormus said, your ISP probably gives you free webspace.
But if you want your own domain then take a look at www.1and1.co.uk
I haven't used them but I believe that they include website software.

faevilangel

if ya want hosting and a free domain of ya choice
try mrsite, u get a free years hosting and a free domain for life for roughly £25 - £35
u can keep their hosting package for a monthly fee after the year free hosting
i havent had any problems, (bought last week)

terryharman

Hey !

I can help you :j

I own a very small web host and i can provide domains and web design at a fraction of the cost.

I have done a few sites for members of this site and im also hosting a few. If you want i can ask one of them to give a testimonial :P.

I have PM'd you with my e-mail if you want to contact me.

-Terry

Bean_Counter

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply. That has given me a few areas to look into.

My current ISP is talktalk, and whilst they may do webspace, I do not want to be any more reliant on them than I am at the moment.

I'll have a look around and see how I go.

Lizbetty

We needed a website for our business and we came across Spanglefish, who have been invaluable for us.

The site we were originally given was really impressive (you can just add pics or text into it, it's all ready to rock and roll!), and we just tinkered with it as we went along, with them eventually helping us loads with the logo, etc, to get a really professional business image.

They provide free websites for those who don't mind haven't a small space for googleads (not too intrusive) or you can go for Gold (as Henry Kelly would say) and get an ad free site for £25 pa, which we did with it being a business site. If you have a look at the sites they have helped create, you will come across both options andf this might help you decide. The ads are really quite small, but if you do go for the Gold option, you could sell the ad space to someone else and get some revenue if you fancy!

I had no clue about domain names, etc, but they have a partner site, Calico, who provide domain names for £15pa. We got ours from here. Again for a new starter like me, it was excellent having that close link between the people who set up the site and the domain provider - they even have a bit on the forum for queries to Calico.

Having 2 kids under 3 myself, and not knowing a thing about web sites, Spanglefish have been amazing with the support and help they've provided to help get the site looking professional for us. The people on the forum are really lovely and if you get stuck, there's always someone along quickly to help out. It's like a real community thing!

I really think it'd be ideal for a family website, it's worked well for our business and I'm chuffed to bits with the whole Spanglefish lot.

Before anyone asks, I'm not affiliated with Spanglefish in any way other than us having our business website with them. I'm enthusiastic about them because they've saved us a fortune in web design fees and have helped lots of people in the same boat as us (starting out with a new business), hence me bigging them up

Sorry to waffle on, but did I mention how fab they are? Lol! :j

Best of luck with your site, might catch you on their forums I hope

Lucy

Lizbetty

ps you don't have to even know what html is! Bargain!

Moneymaker

I use http://www.betterwebspace.com
You can get a domain name for £9.99 for 2 years and hosting for £12 a year. A total of £17 a year. Unlimited email addresses, autoresponder, PHP and other features not normally provided by most ISPs. They respond to emails quickly and are very helpful.

(I am not associated with this company except as a happy customer).

Bean_Counter

Many thanks to all. It's good to know that there are some choices around with reliable companies.

I think I'll sort something out at the weekend, family matters permitting!