creating a website

[DV81]

1. what webhost service should I choose?
2. how do I create a page without having to learn HTML?
3. where can I get software downloads such as Dreamweaver?

the site will be for a small business and I need at least 2GB

I need technical help and any info is appreciated.

 

[Ezzy]

Try your own ISP.

Most ISPs (not all, just most) have web space available at little or no extra charge.

You will need to buy a domain name, use GoDaddy they are cheap and don't give you hassles to transfer and propagate your DNS settings.

With their webhosting, ISPs provide drag and drop (W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G) templates, pick your template, file it with what ever you want and you will have a working site.

If you want to learn HTML or get an editor to change things around, go to www.tucows.com and search for an html editor for your O/S.

Now if you want a better looking website and one that has been SEO (Search Engine Optimized) you will need to put your hand in your pocket and pay to have one designed.

 

[DV81]

that is a bit too technical for me but thanks for the info.

How does one find a service that allows simple drag and drop without knowing html or dtml? I looked into Bluevoda but they are not rated highly.

Frustration abounds!!!

 

[SweetErika]

Learning a new skill or widely applicable program isn't such a bad idea, you know.


Anyway, what you're looking for is a WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get) website creation program. I've tried a few of the free ones out there superficially, but they were difficult because I'm so used to Dreamweaver. But don't let that deter you from checking them out yourself.

Google has a web design feature that's supposed to be very good and easy to use. I haven't had time to try it yet, but I'd suggest getting on the list or giving it a try if it's available to the general public now.

Google Page Creator: http://pages.google.com/

 

[cd1_christine]

More tips...

1. what webhost service should I choose?
2. how do I create a page without having to learn HTML?
3. where can I get software downloads such as Dreamweaver?

the site will be for a small business and I need at least 2GB

I need technical help and any info is appreciated.

I agree w/ Ezzy regarding webspace. Most of the larger ISPs provide you with some webspace for free.

Although, when you say you need 2GB, do you mean 2GB storage, or 2GB transfer per month? If you're looking for something with 2GB of storage, you'll probably be looking at a fairly high end hosting package. That's a pretty good chunk of space. You won't get this with the free space from your ISP. Usually they're around 25MB or so. Why do you need that much space?

As far as web page design software goes....

Dynamic HTML Editor
Namu6
Cascade DTP

All free editors for Windows. I haven't tried Namu, but it seems from the description like it might be a little more in line with what you want. Dynamic HTML and Cascade DTP I've used a little of, and you can either do WYSIWYG editting, or directly edit the HTML code. Namu apparently doesn't allow you to directly edit HTML, but that won't be a problem for you.

If you're using Linux, then Screem, Quanta, or Bluefish are pretty good, and also free. Chances are some or all of these are available as packages for your distro.

If you're using MacOS, then I can't really help you much. I could Google for some HTML editors for Mac, but I couldn't tell you whether they're any good, as I've never used any of them. You can do the Googling yourself, and get just as far as I could get you.

 

[mastagraff]

1. what webhost service should I choose?
2. how do I create a page without having to learn HTML?
3. where can I get software downloads such as Dreamweaver?

the site will be for a small business and I need at least 2GB

I need technical help and any info is appreciated.

1. 1and1.com
2. you would use a "what you see is what you get" wysiwyg for short program where all you do is just adjust the way you see it.
3. dreamweaver is used with html you still need to know some html. and dreamweaver is not free you can get trial versions of it but other wise its like $400 to buy it,

 

[Hotcappucino]

How fast do you need the site up and running? Are you planning on selling products through your site or is this for information only (i.e., are you advertising a service)? How do you know you need 2GB of storage space?

The higher the level of complexity (and customization), the longer the learning curve. You can do it yourself, but to acquire the expertise that you'll need to put up a professional looking site... do you plan on making this a full time effort or something you're doing in addition to your normal work functions? You may be better off hiring someone.

 

[DV81]

I agree w/ Ezzy regarding webspace. Most of the larger ISPs provide you with some webspace for free.

Although, when you say you need 2GB, do you mean 2GB storage, or 2GB transfer per month?

I plan to have at least 50 images so I will need the space that 2GB storage allows.

"How fast do you need the site up and running? Are you planning on selling products through your site or is this for information only (i.e., are you advertising a service)?"
ASAP because I am advertising a service and I need 2GB to display the products.

New question- how do I transfer a domain? I signed up for iPowerWeb but I dont like them. Its been difficult getting an answer from them.

 

[limpdickie]

Most hosting companies provides "template based" editors which are not too difficult to use. I've heard that the Pagebuilder thingie on Geocities is pretty easy.

BTW, if you want hosting just for a startup site, let me know. We have a big webserver that we use to provide added value to our customers (I own an IT solutions company) and I can set you up with all the space you want, as long as the site brings in below a few million hits a day.

This goes for anybody else who needs some hosting space. Oh, no charge of course.

 

[scbigdog65]

Try www.squarespace.com...I've built several good sites with this service. Also check out Microsoft Office Live (www.officelive.com)

 

[Ravin the Poet]

I create sites for people all the time, and I do a lot of graphical work, so I can help here.


1. what webhost service should I choose?
Depending on what you need. My mother uses our ISP providers hosting, while I use a company from Toronto. Both are good, but have different perks. The Toronto servers have more options, CGI and scripts, while the ISP does not.

2. how do I create a page without having to learn HTML?
Most web page builders allow you to do pages "image wise" and the code is made for you. Frontpage and dreamweaver both do this. Basically if you want an easy way, make your website in photoshop. The full image I mean. Then cut it up and "save it for web" and it makes the html for you with the images all in.

3. where can I get software downloads such as Dreamweaver?
Any place you get downloads. Not hard to find.

4. the site will be for a small business and I need at least 2GB
ANy host will get you something this big. 2 GB's is a lot, so look for a host away from your ISP.

 

[SesameStreet]

Try Lycos. WWW.LYCOS.COM You just register for a free account and they provide a Trellix Web Builder so you do not have to know any HTML Code. it is VERY user friendly. I currently have 80 pics on my Web Site so they should be able to handle yours.

 

[DV81]

thanks to everyone for the feedback. I decided to transfer to Lunarpages and purchase Frontpage to create a site. My bro said he would send me Dreamweaver (has yet to do that). I was just wondering what software is used most often for web development and which has the most features.

I would stay away from iPowerWeb, their customer support is horrible. I called at least 10x and no reply

 

[cd1_christine]

Don't buy Frontpage!!!

thanks to everyone for the feedback. I decided to transfer to Lunarpages and purchase Frontpage to create a site.

Nooooooo!!!

Frontpage is the single worst web development piece of shit I've ever seen.

From a user standpoint, it's nice and easy, and gets your pages online quickly, and with minimal fuss.

From a site visitor standpoint, it makes horrible bloated crap HTML code that has proprietary bullshit all through it, and it refuses to display properly in anything but Internet Explorer.

Point one is why anybody who's never used anything other than Internet Explorer likes it. Point two is why every real web developer wants to nuke Redmond.

I'm not saying you have to learn HTML and code it by hand, but something, anything, other than Frontpage would be better. Especially if you're going to pay for it.