Web Design & Hosting Questions

[shereads]

Who? How?

I don't want to use a template; tried that, and it was frustrating not knowing how to import background images, etc. So...I want an idiot-proof all-in-one web hosting-design service that can work from my content outline, is not so mainstream that it enforces content restrictions (erotica), and is legitimate enough to have earned someone's recommendation. The site might be used for small-business retail; anything involving secure connections, etc., makes me nervous about working with start-up companies.

If any of you pornsters have experiences good or bad, please share.

 

[English Lady]

No ideas myself but, hubby migth have some answers, will ask when he awakes

 

[Liar]

Who? How?

I don't want to use a template; tried that, and it was frustrating not knowing how to import background images, etc. So...I want an idiot-proof all-in-one web hosting-design service that can work from my content outline, is not so mainstream that it enforces content restrictions (erotica), and is legitimate enough to have earned someone's recommendation. The site might be used for small-business retail; anything involving secure connections, etc., makes me nervous about working with start-up companies.

If any of you pornsters have experiences good or bad, please share.

Depends. Wotcha want you site to be able to do? Do you need a backend content system? Do you need a complicated content system?
Whotcha ready to pay? If you set up a business site, you want your own domain and a web hotel with a decent service level anyway, so it's no free lunch. Those places usually have connections with competent site builders.

 

[shereads]

Depends. Wotcha want you site to be able to do? Do you need a backend content system?

A backend what?

Are you asking whether the content will include anal sex? Almost certainly. It's not my site, so I can't say exactly what kinds of perversions there will be. But I suspect there will be all sorts of unseemly activities.

Do you need a complicated content system?

Say what?

Whotcha ready to pay? If you set up a business site, you want your own domain and a web hotel with a decent service level anyway, so it's no free lunch. Those places usually have connections with competent site builders.

I won't know what to pay until I see a menu...It's a site for someone who has e-books pending at a few different sites and will need to provide links to each of those; be able to add new links when necessary; and possibly do some direct selling via Paypal (also of downloads.) Additionally, I'll need the supplier's advice about inexpensive ways to generate traffic to the site.

Eventually, it would be nice to have a message board or a chat room capability, but it would also be nice eventually to drive a Lexus SC convertible. Right now I'm seeking basic transportation. A slightly used Honda, not beige, and newer than my '91.

A web hotel? Is that where I stay when this stuff makes my head hurt and I need to lie down?

 

[sincerely_helene]

My host for the past year has been Blue Domino. Here is what they offer:

-24 hour live chat tech and web design support (You will love this feature, 'cause when they get frusterated enough with your stupid questions they fix it from their end)

-Templates and free software (including the 'form,' 'e-commerce,' and 'live chat' programs you are wanting)

-The ability to check your visitor stats

-An optional program that supposedly boosts you closer to the top of search engines (I have never tried it myself, mostly because I doubt services of that nature)

-Reasonable rates and the ability to choose a plan best suiting your needs


If you read their "About us" info, they seem like a pretty easy going bunch with a bit of a sense of humor. I also see nothing that says certain content isn't allowed.

I don't think they will actually build a site for you, but they give you the tools to easily do so with their step by step programs, and 24/7 hour support chat

In terms of the actual creation process, I highly recommend DreamWeaver combined with the Blue domino free software offerings when needed. This way you can just put things how you want them without having to learn any complex scripting language.

bluedomino.com or coffeecup.com if you want to check out their other features.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

http://www.b-one.net.

 

[Liar]

http://www.b-one.net.

Not a too shabby choice for hosting. It's cheap and it works. You're left on your re: design and site building though. Plus, it's not on American soil, so it might act as a legal defense if the the Smut Police grows rabid and deems the content unseemly.

 

[Liar]

A backend what?

A system that lets you edit and add content without getting gritty with the code of the site. Most blogs worh that way, for instance. The user doesn't need to learn how to write HTML, or even use a web editing program like Dreamweaver, to add links, texts and stuff like that.

I won't know what to pay until I see a menu...It's a site for someone who has e-books pending at a few different sites and will need to provide links to each of those; be able to add new links when necessary; and possibly do some direct selling via Paypal (also of downloads.) Additionally, I'll need the supplier's advice about inexpensive ways to generate traffic to the site.

Ok, you don't know what to pay until you see the menu. But you won't get to see the menu until you pick the restaurant. So I ask again: What is the budget? Are we talking soup kitchen or a gourmet joint here?

A web hotel? Is that where I stay when this stuff makes my head hurt and I need to lie down?

*sigh* Yep.
(The place that hosts the site. Unless you have a server in your garage, your site is on a web hotel.)

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Not a too shabby choice for hosting. It's cheap and it works. You're left on your re: design and site building though.

I can help out.

 

[DevilishDesires]

Firstly finding a host that will allow adult content will on average more expensive. Buy allowing their customers to put up adult content, they increase their liability so as a direct result cost usually goes up. The "About Us" section on webhost's websites isn't usually where you will find rules and regulations that pertain to adult content, check under the user policies and agreement section for that info

Second, I would not suggest using PayPal alone to allow people to purchase products from the site. Alot of people have had trouble with PayPal especially when dealing with goods that have no tangible value.

See Linky

http://www.paypalsucks.com/graphics/PaypalTerrified.jpg

Instead, to lend more credence to your site, I recommend getting an SSL certificate (128-bit encryption at least) and a merchant account. While this will increase costs it will decrease the "Scam Alert" warnings that will go off in people's heads if all you have is PayPal. Alot of hosts offer shared SSL's which is a cheap and easy way to set your site up for secure financial transactions. And there are a variety of merchant account services on the web, some of which are quite reasonable.

Lastly for the web design services I would acutally suggest posting a flyer around local campuses advertising for a web designer. Students are usually willing to do things for much cheaper than professionals, as they are still learning. Plus they will be local so it will be easy to make changes or have new graphics designed. A few skills I recommend they possess. Experience with PHP scripting, XML, java, MySQL databases, and ASP; for graphics, experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Corel Draw.

Good luck, hopefully my advice will be of some assistance.

 

[shereads]

My host for the past year has been Blue Domino. Here is what they offer:

-24 hour live chat tech and web design support (You will love this feature, 'cause when they get frusterated enough with your stupid questions they fix it from their end)

-Templates and free software (including the 'form,' 'e-commerce,' and 'live chat' programs you are wanting)

-The ability to check your visitor stats

-An optional program that supposedly boosts you closer to the top of search engines (I have never tried it myself, mostly because I doubt services of that nature)

-Reasonable rates and the ability to choose a plan best suiting your needs

Thanks. I will definitely look at Blue Domino. I will probably end up having someone build the site for me, though. Believe it or not, I tried building something with the template at it only led me to have more questions.

For example: If you provide a link to an e-book that's sold at another site, how do you work it so your own window remains open in the background? If you sell downloads, how do you automate the process of delivering the downloads once the payment is complete? Suppose you want part of the site to be open to subscribers? I know just enough about e-commerce to know how much I don't know. I have more ideas than answers.

If you read their "About us" info, they seem like a pretty easy going bunch with a bit of a sense of humor. I also see nothing that says certain content isn't allowed.

I don't think they will actually build a site for you, but they give you the tools to easily do so with their step by step programs, and 24/7 hour support chat

In terms of the actual creation process, I highly recommend DreamWeaver combined with the Blue domino free software offerings when needed. This way you can just put things how you want them without having to learn any complex scripting language.

Is DreamWeaver Mac-friendly? This is another source of frustration. When I've tried designing with a template, and wanted to import a background image, the directions involved "right-clicking," which is a non-term to Mac users.

bluedomino.com or coffeecup.com if you want to check out their other features.

Thank you, I'll do that this evening. The first step is finding a reputable host that doesn't impose content restrictions, and you may have solved that for me.

Over a week ago, I e-mailed Register.com to ask if they have content restrictions, and never received a reply. They aren't the first company to spend millions on a natonwide TV advertising campaign, without first putting a system in place to handle the responses.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Yes, Dreamweaver can be used with Mac. And it's super-easy to use, I have it, and I DEFINITELY recommend it!

 

[shereads]

Firstly finding a host that will allow adult content will on average more expensive. Buy allowing their customers to put up adult content, they increase their liability so as a direct result cost usually goes up. The "About Us" section on webhost's websites isn't usually where you will find rules and regulations that pertain to adult content, check under the user policies and agreement section for that info

Second, I would not suggest using PayPal alone to allow people to purchase products from the site. Alot of people have had trouble with PayPal especially when dealing with goods that have no tangible value.

See Linky

http://www.paypalsucks.com/graphics/PaypalTerrified.jpg

Instead, to lend more credence to your site, I recommend getting an SSL certificate (128-bit encryption at least) and a merchant account. While this will increase costs it will decrease the "Scam Alert" warnings that will go off in people's heads if all you have is PayPal. Alot of hosts offer shared SSL's which is a cheap and easy way to set your site up for secure financial transactions. And there are a variety of merchant account services on the web, some of which are quite reasonable.

Lastly for the web design services I would acutally suggest posting a flyer around local campuses advertising for a web designer. Students are usually willing to do things for much cheaper than professionals, as they are still learning. Plus they will be local so it will be easy to make changes or have new graphics designed. A few skills I recommend they possess. Experience with PHP scripting, XML, java, MySQL databases, and ASP; for graphics, experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Corel Draw.

Good luck, hopefully my advice will be of some assistance.

Thank you for the advice about Paypal. Good information.

I have co-workers who design websites on the side. Unfortunately, I don't feel comfortable approaching them about this since it's erotica related. Hanging out at Literotica, it's easy to forget that most of the world still thinks of porn as...well, porn. I'd rather deal with someone who knows what he's getting into it and won't be shocked or get the nervous giggles at the first sign of a mild flogging.



Functionality is a bigger issue. How many beautifully designed websites have you run across that were difficult to navigate - or worse, froze up when you tried to make a purchase? Three, that's how many!

 

[shereads]

Not a too shabby choice for hosting. It's cheap and it works. You're left on your re: design and site building though. Plus, it's not on American soil, so it might act as a legal defense if the the Smut Police grows rabid and deems the content unseemly.

That would never happen in America. Land of the Free. You must have us confused with some Soviet-era dictatorship where the Justice Department doesn't even need a warrant to monitor a citizen's internet use or get a list of books they check out at the library.

 

[shereads]

Yes, Dreamweaver can be used with Mac. And it's super-easy to use, I have it, and I DEFINITELY recommend it!

That's good news.

Btw, I tried to open the link to b-one and got a message that there was a problem with the site's security certificate. Then Explorer crashed. Has anyone else had that problem?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

So, what exactly are you looking to do with this website? Sell stuff, I gather, since it's a matter of PayPal. Do you have an idea for the graphics and the layout? The links? Have you drawn the webpage up on a piece of paper?

I'd be happy to help. I AM trained in this. Just look at my school project:

Gloss

 

[sincerely_helene]

If you do decide to go the Dreamweaver route, this might be a useful link:
Dreamweaver Credit Card and Paypal software trial

If you scroll near the bottom, it offers a brief movie tutorial.