I am planning on setting up a website for my girlfriend (she's a jewellery make)
can anyone offer any help to this as to where I should start.
I have bought the domain name, but now where do I go??!!
cheers guys
J
xx
Quote by Mister_Discreet
Another web designer here...
The first thing to do is work out WHY (and if) you actually need a website. Unless you have huge budget for advertising or a product that people will tell each other about just because they saw it on your website, then just having a website will NOT get you customers, no matter how good it is - all it will do is reassure people who already know you, and let them look up information about you.
The second is to decide on what you want the website to do. Is it going to include on-line sales, or just tell people about the product and then get them to contact you by some other means? Take a look at other websites in your field, and get ideas for what works and what doesn't. Bookmark any that strike you as particularly good.
Next, you need to think about content. Write the words you want to appear on the site, and choose the photos. If you don't have top quality photos, think about getting some taken professionally, and get quotations.
Next, it's time to think about your budget. Can you afford a professional designer? Can you get someone you know to do the site for you? Can you do it yourself? If all these options are open, then which will give you the best value for money?
Finally, it's time to choose the person/company who will make the site for you. Talk to as many people as possible, show them your words and photos, and get them to look at similar sites you like the look of, that way you'll end up with the site you want not the site they want to make for you.
Quote by EnglishChris99
Ok all you webdesigner geeks.... you forgot one thing... and its quite important really...
You need to host the site somewhere.
This means having somewhere to put all those nice pages you just made, so that when someone types in your domain name it points them to your pages.
It is usualy worth considering hosting before embarking on the site, because if you need a database, secure server, or scripts to make either the pages or the e-commerce aspect of your site work you will need to ensure you build it in a way that is compatible with the host you choose.
There are lots of companies doing hosting out there. Try and pick a company that is big, and doesn't make promises that seem too good to be true. There are plenty of hosting companies that come under the fly by night category... and as anyone can build a slick website its not always easy to tell.
As its your GF's business consider a reputable hosting company where you are paying for quality performance and reliability. You may want to consider a local company (like a local broadband provider) if you want the personal touch.
Quote by J3diMast3r
You could try 'freenetname' for hosting your domain ...
Quote by J
I am planning on setting up a website for my girlfriend (she's a jewellery make)
can anyone offer any help to this as to where I should start.
I have bought the domain name, but now where do I go??!!
cheers guys
J
xx