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
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Cheers for the reply Mr D.
the webiste is to drum up interest in something that is not specifically aimed at one set of people.
if you look at ....
My girlfriend is Livvy... she prefers to use wood from her parents farm in devon (gives it a more personal touch I think?!!) to make her jewellery. She will also use gold and silver if thats what people want, but none of it is your average, straight forward Elizabeth Duke!
This is why I thought a website would be good. Drumming up interest isn't a problem (thankfully as I do not have a budget for advertising)... word of mouth is quicker and she doesn't want to be in-undated with requests for braclets..... there are so many hours in a day!!
I can't afford a professional designer and was hoping to get most of the work done myself, however I'm not sure where to start!!! :confused2:
I am now gonna look for the free software re-lapse mentioned and see what I can sort out.
I'll let you all know the outcome when I have finally managed to build it (and you had all better order someting too!!!
)cheers
J
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.
cheers Chris.
will look into that too!!
Sex God
You could try 'freenetname' for hosting your domain ... and a good place to learn about HTML is the HTMLGoodies website ... alternatively, you could download a trial copy of Dreamweaver etc which is more point and click.
Not sure what there is in terms of free programs for building websites.
To upload your pages, you can download WS_FTP which is free.
The web people here could probably help you build the site initailly, but I personally think it'd be worth you learning the basics at least so that you can make ad-hoc changes yourself.
Not sure what there is in terms of free programs for building websites.
To upload your pages, you can download WS_FTP which is free.
The web people here could probably help you build the site initailly, but I personally think it'd be worth you learning the basics at least so that you can make ad-hoc changes yourself.
Quote by J3diMast3r
You could try 'freenetname' for hosting your domain ...
I used to use them.... never again.
When you get a domain name through them they own it... unless you pay about 3 times the going rate to get it re-registered to yourself. I had to let one of my domain names expire and then buy it on the open market to get it off them.
No idea what their hosting only deal is like now... but it used to be a bit crap.
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
Just find yourself a twelve year old and point them in the direction of
