I am looking for something simple. [Not unlike Yahoo Site Builder] I am not using Yahoo so I cannot us it. Was looking into Trendy Site Builder but . . . they basically are a monthly service. If you use their program to build your site. .. you are paying them monthly for the privilege. I am looking for something to purchase once and be done with it. I think FrontPage is a part of my MS Office Anything else out there [not good with photoshop or any of that] Site Builder was good cause it was drag and drop I think I need something similar. Rocket River
As a web designer, my advice is to seek professional assistance, but I also realize that some sites can get by with using the kind of services you're describing. So what kind of site is it?
I am attempting to sell a product of my own design. It is a physical object. How much is a good low end product site costing these days? Rocket River I am not rich . . which Is why the do it yourself option was 1st
First, I think it's a mistake to try and go cheap or cut corners, so maybe if you can't afford a proper site right now you should wait and save up. Hell, even take out a small loan. It may not seem like it matters or that you can just "get by" with using a drag and drop or template service, but the way a site looks and functions is extremely important in terms of making a good impression and developing trust with your visitors. Personally, if a site looks bad or I find broken elements throughout, I'm not buying anything from it. Why should I trust that the products are going to be quality if the site isn't? As for price, I can't say exactly but I can approximate. If you want a small site where someone can simply view your product and then e-mail you or call you to purchase it, that's probably not too involved and could be done properly (including original logo and page design, and maybe even business cards) for less than $1,000 dollars. Maybe half that if you're really going bare bones. If you're envisioning an all-out e-commerce site where people can create accounts, order the item through a shopping cart system, receive tracking information, etc. then a proper site is going to be four figures easily. If someone offers to build you a legitimate custom website for less than a few hundred dollars, you should be concerned about the quality of work they do. It'd be like someone offering to cut your hair for $2.
A second nomination for Weebly.com. You can get 10 self-directed websites for $5/month-- great if you might have slightly different target markets for your product. Drag and drop system. Not sure about their e-commerce solutions because I don't use that. They do have a professional staff also who can do the work for you.
I am currently with blue host. I am not sure which of there options work best for me. What is the greatest benefit of a professional? Paying on is ok it they can drive customers to the site. Rocket River
Go to squarespace.com and use the offer code TWiT. According to Leo Laporte it is the easiest, fastest and best way to make a site...
make sure your website's text is in a colorful unique and expressive BUT entertaining syntax or else it might be hard for your customers to UNDERSTAND what you are saying.
Thanks for the feedback. I truly appreciate it. I think I can build the site but now I am concerned about the optimization and making it search friendly. I need to drive traffic to the site. I am unsure of that dynamic of the process. May seek professional help [HAHAHAH I am sure some will take that and run with it[ Rocket River
