posted
Has anybody here used any of the free site building software that you get with web hosting companies like Globat, Fatcow or Godaddy? Any opinions or examples of sites? I'm getting ready to put up a site to promote my fine art and I just need a couple of pages and a photo gallery and email. I've got Dreamweaver but I don't have time for another learning curve right now..
posted
Brent, I've tried to help a few of my friends get something going with those web-based sitebuilders.... the reason, once it was set up, they could make changes to it themselves... (most of those are pretty easy to use.)
However, the ones I had to deal with operated so sluggishly I soon got frustrated and gave up.
Since then, I've set them up with Visual Site Designer from CoffeeCup Software...
It is very very easy to use... works more like Coreldraw (or other illustration programs) than any of the others I found. Check around the Coffeecups site and see some of the webpages that have been done with it....
I use this software myself for quick webpages and really like it.
/okay... //I'm ready for the mosh pit.... ///Body-slam me, all you real web designers.....
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks Jon. That's kind of what I'm looking for... something easy. I built a site a fews years back with Adobe GoLive and Photoshop and it took me days. I've already forgotten how I did it. Now I've got little time and a small budget. I got inspired to promote myself after reading the "are we introverted" thread. Along with my oil paintings I want to drum up some mural painting business for my Blues Brothers Walldog crew.
posted
Brent the best and easiest I have found is "BlueVoda". It is intuitive and so easy. I literally did mine in a day - check out www.coloradosigns.com.au to see if you like what can be done. Mine and simplistic but more complex is possible. They also have web based tutorials so you can follow in sequence right from the start. The only downfall if any, is that you must be hosted by them, but their prices are very reasonable. You are always free to email me and I can assist where possible if you do strike any problems, but they also have free 24/7 support.
posted
I have to put in my 2 cents on this topic. I am in no way criticizing the idea of putting up your own site, and there are many programs out there to help someone without much html/css knowledge accomplish this task.
However, just as in creating a sign, there are several factors in creating an effective website. The numerous differences (which I don't need to list here) between a D-I-Y website and one created by a professional designer is usually significant.
Many members of this board would be quick to criticize some Joe Schmoe who made their own business sign out of poster paint and a scrap of plywood.
However, Joe Schome probably had a similar reasoning as yourself: He was on a budget, and didn't need anything fancy. In the end, if he thinks it looks good, that's good enough, right?
Many a sign maker would say of the home-made sign thing like "it wasn't made of quality materials" or that "the layout was poor and the fonts were unreadable" or "a sign is the image of his business, he should have something professionally made."
But that same sign maker is quick to create his own website. What's the difference?
Again, I want to be clear that I am not bad mouthing anyone who has done their own website. All I am trying to convey is that we as sign makers, just like our own customers, are looking for value for the money we spend.
Everyone is on a budget now-a-days. There was a post a few days ago saying how Real Estate agents are so cheap, and don't want to spend anything on signs. (Which can be very true.) However, I think it goes deeper than that. I think it goes to their level of education about the product. If a potential sign customer is uneducated about signage, then our prices can sometimes seem too expensive. We have all had the customer saying "woah that's a lot. I only need a basic sign, nothing fancy."
It's our job as a professional to educate them about the VALUE of what they are purchasing.
It's the exact same thing as Brent wanting to create his own website. You might just not be aware of the value of having a professionally designed website. And even so, maybe making your own site is the right choice for your situation. I am just trying to say that unless we are thoroughly educated about a product/service, it can be tough to see the value it in and thus spend money on it.
Maybe at the least this little rant will help others recognize the importance of showing the value of what they are selling to their customers and educating them about our profession.
[ October 06, 2009, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: Chris OBrien ]
-------------------- Chris O'Brien Cape Cod, MA Posts: 183 | From: Cape Cod MA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Those are good points Chris and I'm in total agreement. I have a good friend who is a professional web designer and she's well worth the 500 to 3000 dollars she charges for web sites. The only thing I can say in my defense is that I have a higher asthetic standard than most do-it-yourselfers and some design skills. I also haven't turned my hobby into a real business yet. Right now I'm just interested in a front page and a photo gallery, not e-commerce and SEO. Down the road I'll probably cough up the bucks to my friend or spend the time in Dreamweaver.
posted
Chris...I understand where you are coming from.
I spent almost a month way back in the mid 90's creating a simple HTML website that served me well. It was simple because back then most folks, including myself, were on dial-up and anything real fancy would be useless.
It was just a simple "showcase" like Brent wishes to do.
Since retiring, I now have a website aimed at a different interest. Still simple, but it does the job and has helped many folks who have given me many positive responses via e-mail and in person.
I checked out your website and it is pretty simple, clean and fast to load too.
If I were still in business I would probably pay folks like the Diaz boys to design a site...but I think I wouldn't go for the fancy razzle dazzle Flash stuff.
Again...for something like Brent wants or for something I want...DIY works just fine...and remember we do have a little bit of design ability.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Brent, I've done a few websites using front page. They were simple but clean. Our web site was done by someone else and I really don't like it. Mostly because I can't manage it. Our B & B website is an example of a simple one I put up. www.acatnapinn.com It takes very little to adjust something and republish. If this is something that appeals let me know and I'll be glad to help
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham House Springs, MO Posts: 654 | From: House Springs, MO | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
You've illustrated my point to some extent. I do think you have a very nice looking site, but esthetically nice and effective are two different things.
For example: All of the wording on your website in embedded in the GIFs, meaning there is no plain text for a search engine to index.
As far as search engines are concerned, the ONLY text on your website is the wording at bottom of the page, "All Contents are Copyrighted c 2005 Web Design by Weber Hill Signs".
I did a quick google search for "Bed and breakfast hermann, mo" and your site didn't appear on the first two result pages. After that I stopped looking, just like a potential visitor.
I am not criticizing your site, as I mentioned I think it looks great. I am just saying that there are things that could be done to maximize it's potential effectiveness.
As some of the previous posts mentioned, as sign designers we DO have design ability. I agree. However, because I am able to draw a nice looking house doesn't mean that I am an architect. I have no clue as to the engineering necessary to build a house to building code.
Obviously a website is nothing like a house. A poorly coded website isn't going to collapse or be condemned. But just like a building code, there is a structure that should be followed when writing html code. The more the html follows this structure, the more "valid" it is. The end result is a website that will perform better across different browsers, and well as in search engines, and be accessible to handicapped vistors (such as someone who is blind and uses a screen reader.)
posted
By the way Brent- In reference to your original question, you should check out Wordpress: http://wordpress.org/
It is a free open source content management system. It allows you to publish your own site and very easily update the content (i.e. wording, photos, etc.) yourself.
Some other benefits of Worpress is that there are countless free add-ons such as templates to change the design of your site and plugins to add a gallery, shopping cart, etc.
I believe that Wordpress can even help you initially set up the databases for free. And there are TONS of sites and books dedicated to helping you learn about Wordpress and all it's capabilities. It's really a very versatile system.
-------------------- Chris O'Brien Cape Cod, MA Posts: 183 | From: Cape Cod MA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic