How easy its it to build your first website using a template

[scott14]

Hi

As the name suggests I'm looking to build my first website and I'm planning on using a template from a well known web site.

How easy is it to add/ edit these then upload and host them with a email address ??

I seem to be lost under a mountain of info at the moment.

Regards

Scott

 

[Page]

Very easy.

At the danger of throwing more at you go and get a free wordpress blog from them - have a play in the back end - be aware that you can use wordpress as a web site - make no blogs just create pages.

Play play play - then review where you are. Only play and click and later etc. Watch your changes on the front end - change the template.

You cannot break it - you can start another one also if you fancy 2 or 6 etc to compare.

Up and running in minutes. 5 - 10 if you have not done this type of thing before.

I have never used their online option but assume it is the same as a normal wordpress site.

That will get you some immediate understanding from which to then branch out from.

Enjoy.

 

[scott14]

Hi

Thanks for taking the time and replying to my question it is much appreciated !!!!

Unfortunately I'm at the receiving end of information overload... Ive downloaded wordpress but I'm a little unsure where I go from here ??

I was looking to buy a template from monstertemplates or dreamtemplates then just adding my tex. Am I foolish in thinking that it really can be that easy ?? Yes I knw I would need a tex editor first, right ?

I've searched around on goggle but I seem to be casing my tail and not getting anywhere quick.

Could you / anyone be able to recommend a good 101 tutorial that I might be able to access which would enable me to get where I want to be ?

 

[Page]

You do not download wordpress you register for wordpress (if you use their offering) and then have a play.

Just having that play will remove some of the swamp and misunderstanding - we have all had to start from somewhere.

Start here - http://wordpress.com/

Top right sign up now and you are away for the play stage

 

[Page]

Hi
Am I foolish in thinking that it really can be that easy ?? Yes I knw I would need a tex editor first, right ?

No

and

No - but depending on the software

 

[Zeal]

Ive downloaded wordpress but I'm a little unsure where I go from here ??

Hey Scott,

Have you got hosting space sorted? Does it allow databases?
Have you got access to FTP?

If so, chuck me a pm with the details and I'll install it for you.. takes minutes. (free of course).

Once it's installed - it's as easy as writing a forum post to edit / add content, pages or pictures as well as upload new 'themes'. (click of a button)


Editing the themes can be done inside WordPress using the 'editor'

 

[Page]

Here is a link customised for you scott - http://bbvvcc.wordpress.com/hi-scott/

So you can do the same but then you have to play and learn and then review etc.

Wordpress is pretty good and you can have it on www.yourdomainnamethatyouchoose.co.uk etc but not through them

For now just sign up and play.

 

[fisicx]

Can I suggest taking a step back and not worrying about a template or wordpress just yet.

Take some time to sdo some planning. Think about what you want to achieve, the needs of your viswitors and how to convert them from visitors to clients/customers.

Start writing the words, select the imagery, logos, tag lines, calls to action and all the other bits that make up the content of the site. Once you have everything organised then you can choose the best way to display and publish.

As already suggested, I'd go with wordpress rather than a plain template.

 

[scott14]

Hi and thanks all again, some really useful information !!!

I've played around with wordpress- (thanks page for the link !!!)

I've had a look through the sites I wish to buy the templates from and they say I need dreamweaver or a decent tex editor.

Do I download the templates then simply use the tex editor on the files edit what I need to then upload the files to a host ?

 

[Leadz]

Using a template to build website might be easy but I will recommend you play around how to set up a wordpress blog as it will help you in many ways plus all the free plug-ins and themes you can get to customize your website further.

 

[TargetNumberOne]

Hi and thanks all again, some really useful information !!!

I've played around with wordpress- (thanks page for the link !!!)

I've had a look through the sites I wish to buy the templates from and they say I need dreamweaver or a decent tex editor.

Do I download the templates then simply use the tex editor on the files edit what I need to then upload the files to a host ?

Hi Scott,
There are easier ways to do this without using any additional scripts or editors!

You can install Wordpress on your domain by using the Fantastico program / icon located in your cPanel hosting account admin console. Most hosting companies use cPanel these days and provide the Fantastico program to manage the installation of Wordpress.

You simply click on Fantastico, and fill out a form specifying your domain name, and select an admin username/ password. Click install and it's done!

If you're still unsure about this, type 'installing Wordpress using Fantastico' into YouTube and watch a video on how to do this.

Once you've installed WP, you can upload any themes or plug-ins you require (most of them are available online for free) using a free FTP client like Filezilla.

Hope this helps,
Tony

 

[Page]

I think scott is well short on understanding that at the moment he is at square one with not many ladders visible and snakes all around him.

My last post on this one scott - so here is my advice.

Play with wordpress until you understand what it can do.

If it is your first site only think about wordpress (or you go into the world of there is this and this and oh this and this etc etc) so forget everything else OR spend hours getting nowhere.

You should be able to get someone on here set you up with a domain and email for maybe £30 a year so that your wordpress site sits on yourdomain.com and you email is [email protected]

And you are away.

Anything else and you will got bogged down (referring to original post) - so do this and once you know more you can think if you ever need to - ah wordpress is not perfect for this or maybe that but you will now have the knowledge to make those decisions.

That said I think you will find it will do for most basic websites and do it very well.

Plenty of free and paid for themes out there if you must have a certain look but for now focus on the frame and the core and not the paintwork on the outside you can do that later.

Here are paid for themes - http://www.studiopress.com/themes
The guy above has a link for discounts on them.

 

[Host Yorkshire]

Hi, I'd highly recommend WordPress to anyone starting out in a web site.

It is hightly customisable and gives you control of your website on the fly.

At first WP is very hard to get your head around. At first you will do noting more than build a web site that looks like a blog / wp site and not be entirely happy with it.

There is a great learning curve to wordpress. It's took me 3-4 years to get to grips with it but don't be put off.

A great source of knowledge about wordpress can be found at the WP web site but it's hell of a lot of stuff to trawl through unless you are looking for something specific. Then it can be great.

I learned at lot about WP from Chris Coyier. Look him up.

He also wrote a PDF book which is called digging into wordpress. I've not spoke to Chris for a while and don't know if he has updated it but it is well worth a read if you are serious about WP as a platform.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[kindredmildred]

Step away from the templates, content management systems, take a deep breath and start again.

What are you trying to achieve? What's your business? Where's your market - and your users? How will you engage them and convert them into customers? What competition is there for your product or service? Locally or nationally? How will you make sure that your target users know that your website even exists? What about navigation, design, colour schemes and layout appropriate to your users and market? Will you need to update the site regularly?

Get this stage wrong and you risk wasting your time and money on a website that does nothing for your business.

I'm sure that all here would be more than happy to advise and support you through the process but there is a process.