Web page design and hosting

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan Baroncini-Moe on January 27, 2009 at 7:16pm

Hi Connie,
has hosting and design packages and I think you could get what you're looking for there.

If you don't mind me throwing a little advice into the mix, I'd recommend that you find an affordable designer to create a site for you. They can help you balance options like dropdown links with search engine optimization and make sure you don't have to sacrifice one for the other.

If you need any help, have questions, or just want some advice, feel free to send me a message. I'll be happy to help you out!

Susan Baroncini-Moe
Business in Blue Jeans

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Permalink Reply by Connie Zeigler on January 27, 2009 at 8:31pm

Susan, I think the company name got blanked out of your message. Can you post that again? Thanks for the tips. I do have a designer who could help me set it up but I want to do all the maintenance and some of the design so I am looking for something easy but attractive

Thanks again.
Connie

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Permalink Reply by Paul Benjamin on January 27, 2009 at 9:12pm

There are quite a few tools for "amateurs" (please don't take this as pejorative) to do their own website design (and maintenance).

In the process of starting (aside from my "regular job") a consulting effort to assist SMBs in their transition from Windows- to Mac-based I.T. infrastructure, I sought-- and found-- a Mac-specific tool for this that is both easy to learn, relatively powerful, and not too expensive ($79.00, but you can try it for free). It is called RapidWeaver, available from RealMac Software (www.realmacsoftware.com). You can see my initial (and still in-process) efforts at www.win-2-mac.com.

If you are not a Mac user, there are also some Windows-based tools (I think) that may be similar, but I can't name any specific ones. A Google search should yield some possibilities

Re: hosting-- there are quite a few choices, and hosting has become quite economical ($5/month, some places even less); you'll also need to purchase a domain name. GoDaddy.com is probably as good an option as any for both acquiring a domain name and hosting.

I hope this helps-- please feel free to let me know if any other questions. As I am just starting my consulting enterprise, I am looking for opportunities to help others at low or no cost.

Sincerely,
Paul Benjamin
pb@win-2-mac.com

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Permalink Reply by Lena Lucas on January 27, 2009 at 11:49pm

Connie,

Have you checkedhttp://wordpress.com/. I created a web site for my group in 2 hours. It is 100% free http://greenbusinessnetwork.wordpress.com/


You can customize it: add subpages. They have different design templates available. You can also have custom URL without wordpress.com wording in it (some $10 or so a year charge). Most importantly they host your site for you and it is easy to update the content. It is really easy to set up ;)

Just a thought

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Lacy on January 28, 2009 at 6:31am

Wordpress is the way to go! If you have any questions about it.. Feel free to email me kyle@getbrandswag.com

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Permalink Reply by Amy Latka on January 28, 2009 at 8:14am

Hi Connie,

Check out this option: www.SporthorseCreative.com I have had very good success with it. Sites are hosted in such a way that you can simply log in and update the site yourself. Or, for no additional cost, you can contact the customer service and have them do it for you.

Amy

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Permalink Reply by Connie Zeigler on January 28, 2009 at 8:57am

Thanks everyone for your words of advice. The two-tiered navigation seems to be the hardest thing to find in do-it-yourself setups. I may have to revise my thinking a bit about the design. But first I'll carefully check out all the options you've suggested. Keep em coming if you think of anything else.
Connie Zeigler
CZ Resources

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on January 28, 2009 at 9:34am

Hi Connie,

Like Kyle said, WordPress is a great way to host AND design a website yourself. I'm sure there are plug-ins that can accomplish the drop down menu you're looking for. If not, there are a few code warriors on Smaller Indiana who can help you.

If you're looking for local hosting and design, Heid at Provim.net can definitely help you out. The great thing about working with someone like Heid is that because he IS local, he and his staff answers phone calls, they provide quick service, and you're not lost in the shuffle like you would be in some of the big national companies.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Baroncini-Moe on January 28, 2009 at 10:36am

Hi Connie,
Sure, it's The Domain Name Company and the link is www.thedomainnamecompany.com .

:)
Susan

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Permalink Reply by Tom Wagenhauser on January 28, 2009 at 2:55pm

Connie,

The Indy Domains "Website Tonight" plans provide easy to use templates and design elements and is a low monthly cost, which includes the web hosting and email hosting. Follow this link to find out more:

http://www.securepaynet.net/gdshop/hosting/hosting_build_website.as...

Each WebSite Tonight® plan - Economy, Deluxe and Premium - offers these features so building your web site is fast, easy — and fun!

Building

* Easy Click-&-Type Editing
* Forums
* RSS News & More
* Flash Intros - with Music!
* .mobi-compatible
* Video
* HTML Editing
* Spell Check
* HTML Importing
* Copyright Statement
* Theme-based Categories
* Your choice of professionally designed template
* CSS Based Templates
* Advanced Style Editor
* Shared Content
* Password-protected pages
* Professionally Designed Color Schemes
* Color Customizer
* Multiple Color Themes
* Specialty Content
* Site Preview
* Image Editing (editor/wysiwyg)
* Text Editing (wysiwyg)
* Custom Form Builder
* Add Images (Over 8,000 free images included)
* Publish a "Coming Soon" page in 3 easy steps
* Built-in hosting
* Expanded Workspace
* Quick Shopping Cart Integration

Publishing

* Seamless integration with Google's® Site Mapping Tool
* Publishing Times
* Publish From Application
* Add Meta Tags
* Add Page Keywords and Descriptions
* Site Analysis
* Publish Log


Page Elements

* Guestbooks
* Customize and Add Label
* Supports JavaScripts
* Navigation Buttons
* Hit Counter
* Music Plug-in
* Scrolling Marquee
* Date / Time Stamp
* Add Photo Album Links
* Slideshows within Photo Album
* Easy Form Builder


Web Site Management & Tools

* Secure Hosting with Generous Disk Space/Bandwidth
* Spam & Virus-Protected Email Account
* 256-Bit Encryption provides privacy and protection for your personal information through Web-Based Email
* "Phishing" fraud protection with technologies like Sender ID
* Email Forwards
* Faster Backup and Restore
* Rebuild
* Fonts
* FREE! Google Webmaster Tools
* Google® AdWords® Credit
* Microsoft® adCenter Credit

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on January 28, 2009 at 6:59pm

Connie,
At Roundpeg, we design simple easy to update websites using Wordpress. Once created, they are easy to manage, update, add to, etc.. We like the tool because it is easy to work with, search engine friendly, and the software itself is free.

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Permalink Reply by Derek Crager on January 29, 2009 at 12:50am

Hi Connie,
Did you ever expect so many wonderful answers?
Here's mine. http://Crager.Net
This is a remnant of a technology company I retired from in the 90's.
I paired with a web hosting company that owed me a favor and my legacy is a full service web hosting platform with intuitive menus, tutorials and a design studio at no charge all for a discounted rate to small businesses and non-profits.
The site design has a simple 'Add a page' option that takes you through every step of creation, giving you the page you want while using their predesigned graphics and special fonts.
They offer an online demo of the 'Site Studio' creative software so that you can try it out before buying. Use the link on the left of the page for more info on it or just browse through the entire bullet pointed information until you are satisfied this is the right option for you...or not. ;)

Take a look at http://Crager.Net

Good luck.

PS. Oh, if you do want to install some of the suggested software that was offered by our friends, this can handle that automatically...see, even if you have the software, like WordPress, you still need a place to host it.

And if you have any questions, you can always contact me direct.. I still like getting my hands dirty from time to time and would love to help out a fellow smoosier.

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