How to choose a website?

[My Top Step]

Can anyone please advise on choosing a website template?

I need to set up a website for a new business, but have no knowledge of websites. I initially tried to build one, after seeing an advert on you tube for pick a web, which said it was easy and that I'd have one up and running in an hour!!! - Niaively I believed them, so purchased web address and template, which I couldn't start as it required coding from the off.
So I have asked around and been advised to try squarespace. Has anyone used Squarespace and it is possible for a none coding idiot to set up?
Also, when purchasing a template and pages, is it possible to add extra photos on different pages? i.ei if the template has one large plus 3, would it be possible to have another page with one large one +6 or 12 small ones and no large on?

Clearly the obvious next question is, what would I realistically have to pay a none idiot to help me with this?

 

[ryedale]

Welcome to UKBF

It all depends what you are looking for from the site really

Do you have any idea about your content and what you want the site to achieve?

 

[My Top Step]

Hi Rydale
Thank you for your reply. Yes is the answer to your questions.....
I wish to start a website, which advertises curtain and soft furnishing made to measure, but also interior design, which allows me to show before and after photos. But which can be flexible enough to show landscape gardens before during and after, which I also design, plant and execute.
I have been told that this would be better if it were connected to a facebook page (Also something of which I am ignorant). Which I am told I could also use as a blog, which helps the 'bots?' update my website?
Have I left anything out?

 

[fisicx]

It's not a template you need, it's a content management system (CMS). This will allow you to upload images, let people place an order, create a blog, add a shop, connect to facebook and just about anything else you could need.

Wordpress will do all this for you. All you need is some hosting and a few clicks and the site will be up and running. You then have thousands of themes to choose from an thousands more (free) plugins that will add all the bells and whistles.

If you need help with this there are plenty of UKBF members who can point you in the right direction. All you have to do is ask.

(welcome to UKBF).

 

[ryedale]

A lot comes down to deciding whether the time you spend trying to make the site yourself would become greater than the cost of getting someone to do it for you.

As Fiscix says, you can put a site together quite quickly using a Wordpress theme or any other CMS - depending on the theme chosen though, the end product though may not be something that will convert to enquiries or any sort of search engine ranking.

It's important that you don't overload visitors with content or information - let them make their own path through the site depending on what they are looking for but make sure they do have a clear path to follow.

 

[My Top Step]

Thanks Fisicx.

Hmmmmmmm! Well that's blown all my research So I'll now go and have a look for content management systems

And just a few clicks you say?

I'll be back, with no doubt MANY, MANY Questions! Thank you

 

[fisicx]

Have you brought some hosting? If so then you will probably be able to install wordpress automatically through your control panel. It takes about a minute.

Once you have installed wordpress you can login to your 'dashboard' and add pages, posts, images, themes plugins and everything else.

Creating content is no more complicated than writing an post on UKBF. The only difference being you click on 'Publsih' not 'Post'.

 

[My Top Step]

A lot comes down to deciding whether the time you spend trying to make the site yourself would become greater than the cost of getting someone to do it for you.

As Fiscix says, you can put a site together quite quickly using a Wordpress theme or any other CMS - depending on the theme chosen though, the end product though may not be something that will convert to enquiries or any sort of search engine ranking.
-

Hi Ryedale
If I could afford the first option I would grab it with both hands! -

It's important that you don't overload visitors with content or information - let them make their own path through the site depending on what they are looking for but make sure they do have a clear path to follow.[/QUOTE] I agree with you entirely, I was thinking that a picture speaks a thousand words, and as I suffer from verbal diahorea I thought it would help curtail my drivvel??? But to restrict the photos to before, during, after, on say 3 bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, thereby giving a glimpse of works and further enquiries / interest I could show a portfolio of other examples face to face.

 

[ryedale]

If you are using case studies, then do be sure to document what the pictures represent - even one line underneath each image is better than nothing at all.

 

[My Top Step]

Hi Fisicx. I did and I didn't. I did but cancelled, so all I have is a domain name.

Once you have installed wordpress you can login to your 'dashboard' and add pages, posts, images, themes plugins and everything else.

That proved to be my stumbling block before! - I am (not to mince my words) pretty damn thick when it comes to this sort of thing

Creating content is no more complicated than writing an post on UKBF. The only difference being you click on 'Publsih' not 'Post'.

t took a fair bit of time, to figure out this too

 

[My Top Step]

If you are using case studies, then do be sure to document what the pictures represent - even one line underneath each image is better than nothing at all.

That's why I thought bathroom, before, during, after may do the trick I apologise if that comes accross as flippant its not meant to be. But when you know you have a problem, its better to address it from the off!

 

[ryedale]

No problem

 

[justinaldridge]

In your original post you mentioned Squarespace which is probably the best solution for you. It's a CMS but unlike Wordpress it's a paid solution but the beauty of it is that it comes with complete support. For a novice this is often a very good solution.

Yes, I know there is a big Wordpress community out there to help with issues but Squarespace is a fantastic option, especially for those who aren't comfortable with installing software, updating software and trying to get it all to work.

Definitely do not discount it, it's excellent.

 

[zuhairabbas]

I think first you decide about what you want in your website.
You can choose template regarding your business. Wordpress is best option for choosing theme or template regarding to your website.
themeforest & templatemonster websites gives paid templates for all industries.

 

[antropy]

Have you brought some hosting?

And where would one "bring" it from? The Internet?

Creating content is no more complicated than writing an post on UKBF. The only difference being you click on 'Publsih' not 'Post'.

Come on @fisicx, you, I and everyone else on this forum knows there's infinitely more to creating a decent website than that, I'm not sure why you're pretending it's all so easy?

Hmmmmmmm! Well that's blown all my research So I'll now go and have a look for content management systems

Have a look at WordPress and also Concrete5 but in my opinion, unless you've got at least some experience with this sort of thing, you're better off paying someone to do it.

And just a few clicks you say?

@fisicx is referring to the Softaculous Auto Installer which comes with many hosting packages. Unless you've done it a few times before it's going to take much longer than a minute!

 

[fisicx]

I know, I know. I'm now helping Penny with her site. We've got it all set up and she is busy adding content so it's all coming together.

 

[antropy]

Haha good stuff!

 

[PaulBappoo]

I wrote a book which walks you step by step through creating a web site with Wordpress and how to add lots of cool goodies that link it in to a mailing system, lead capture functionality, social etc etc. It's called Internet Marketing for Beginners and available in e format from amazon, but if you would like a copy, feel free to PM me, then if you like it maybe you would be kind enough to recommend it to other members here

 

[RockPaperCopy]

Yes, I work with Squarespace and Shopify stores. Both platforms are little different, so that depends on your niche. Set up and go usually takes 24 - 72 hours and costs between £200 and £400
PM me for more info

 

[fisicx]

If you had read the whole thread:

I...I'm now helping Penny with her site. We've got it all set up and she is busy adding content so it's all coming together.