Question
For many, the mere THOUGHT of starting their own website is simply overwhelming.
What particular step/s are keeping you from taking the plunge?
Ask here, and we'll see if we can't point you in the right direction!
Answer
Originally Posted by Kathleen
For many, the mere THOUGHT of starting their own website is simply overwhelming.
That one statement sums it up for me!
I've been trying to set one up, but don't really know more than your basic html. I used one of those "templates" and I hate the way it looks.
So I got frustrated and just quit working on it.
Answer
Ok.
Want some help?
Let's start with the "simple" stuff.
Do you have a domain name?
Do you have a web host?
WHAT do you envision your web site "doing"? (Offering "stuff" for sale? Offering an "informational" site? Directing folks to your eBay auctions or eBay store? Just personal/family photos?)
WHY do you want a web site?
If eBay were to shut it's doors permanently tomorrow, how would that affect you? Your business? Your income?
Answer
If they shut their doors tomorrow, all my present online income would cease to exist (with the exception of a small amount of repeat business).
I have a domain name...two in fact.
One for "The Cauldron" and one for "The Driftwood".
Yes, I have web hosting, but I'm not sure if it's what I need. It's one of those places that you get the "website building tools" and hosting combined. It doesn't appear to be very versatile, but then again...I don't know much about that sort of thing.
I also have one of those free 1and1 accounts, but never could figure out how to use it. The older I get the less patience I seem to have and I think I must have burnt out a couple of wings in my brain during the '70s.
I want to have a site to sell on and, hopefully, wean myself away from eBay in the long run.
Answer
In my wildest dreams I don't envision being able to set up a website. I might have given it a try in my 60s but when I passed the 70 mark I gave up all thoughts of it.
Like NotMe, I have one of those 1&1 things but the control panel is like Greek to me and I only use it to store pics.
I would love to have a place to sell Vintage linens (mostly printed 40s tablecloths) other than eBay but it won't happen unless I can afford to have someone set the whole thing up and I don't see that in my crystal ball.
In the meantime, I'll watch this thread and cheer on the rest of you.
Joan
Answer
FUD
Answer
The older I get the less patience I seem to have and I think I must have burnt out a couple of wings in my brain during the '70s.
LMAO!
Change the date to the '80s and it's ME!
Ok.
With the 1&1, I can't assist you.
Don't know anything about their service or how their web builder works.
Do they have a "member support" board where you could visit to learn and ask questions about the "how to's" of your builder?
SOMEWHERE here is a short "primer"? on the basics of what your site should have. I'll see if I can dig it up in the morning.
Things like a Home (Index) page, pages (seperate is better) for each item, a F.A.Q. page, an "about me/us" type page, and at least ONE page for reciprocal links - those are URL's YOU add to your site and other's add YOURS to theirs. This will help your site a) get INTO the search engines b) MAY help in moving you up in the search engine rankings and c) are INTENDED to offer some type of "value" to your visitors/customers. (Other places which sell similar, compatible, etc. items or "theme" as to what you are offering.) We'll touch on that later.
Joan
There ARE talented folks out there who can not only design your site for you, but also assist you (maybe even "do it all") in getting a site set up and running for ya! Tayna here at here is one that I know of off hand, and I know that she has designed and maintains MANY people's websites here at here.
It's a lie! An old dog CAN be taught new tricks!
(NOT that you're a dog! )
Answer
Change the date to the '80s and it's ME!
I think I burnt out a few brain cells in the early '80s too!
Like NotMe, I have one of those 1&1 things but the control panel is like Greek to me and I only use it to store pics.
Hey Joan! You're ahead of me...I couldn't even figure out how to do that!
I use the free FTP Commander program to upload to my ISP space for auctions, but I never could understand how to work 1and1's FTP thingy.
Kathleen....what hosting service would you recommend? Right now I'm signed up with "Namezero.com" for my Leaky Cauldron domain and with "Startlogic" for my Driftwood domain. Both of them are kinda those "just add water for an instant website type places". To me...they just look cheesie.
I think if I ever got it set up, I wouldn't have too much trouble maintaining it or adding to it.
It would probably help if I would take the time to figure out how to use "FrontPage".
Answer
I can give you a list of hosts, but FIRST, you need to decide exactly "What is it you NEED?" (THAT, I can't help you with. I can tell you what I have, and you COULD use that as a guide, but then again, it may be way too big -or too small- for your present AND future needs!)
Here's a general list of what I've currently got: http://www.homestead.com/~site/simple/goldFEATURES.html but I've got a few more "features" and "space" than that, as I'm a long-time user. Homestead, although I love it, is expensive in comparison to other hosts, and lacks a few features which others offer.
Big Step (http://go.bigstep.com/) used to be pretty good.
Again, they're QUITE expensive.
(I only mention those two because they're the only two I've ever USED personally. I left BigStep long ago when they raised their rates to an unacceptable level for me.)
Do you need a "builder" or WYSIWYG editor or do you have one already?
Or, are you going to "HTML" your site entirely by yourself/hand?
How large do you foresee your site becoming? (Available disk space & bandwidth needs)
Do you need a data-base driven site? (sell an item and it's automatically "deducted" from your supply, etc.)
Also, what is your budget? ($)
I'll get that link and the host list in a few hours.
I need to get some shut-eye as the 5:00 a.m. alarm will ring soon.
Answer
Why don't I have a website?
1) Lack of knowledge
2) Lack of concentration to get knowledge
3) Fear that if I cram any more into this brain something I really need might fly out.
I had a quasi-website for awhile using a service called auctioninsights but I didn't really like the looks of it and it was very inflexible and still too hard to learn.