Want to make a simple website - how??

[websitenewbie]

Hi
I want to set up a small website just 5 pages or so, with the functionality to download a Word document. It doesnt need to look amazing, with embedded flash bits, just formatted with text sizes, fonts, images, and background colour.

I have purchased my wanted domain name from GoDaddy.com, but I think I also need a Web Host? Which doesnt need to be the company who I registered the domain with? Which basically gives me the ability to publish web pages to my domain name? This is how I roughly understand it but if anyone can make it any clearer, it would be much appreciated.

Also, can anyone recommend a Web Host? I really dont want to pay loads as its only a little information site really which I am experimenting with, dont plan to take payments or sell anything, nor will it be a huge website. I have heard that some hosts let you have your website for free but I dont really fancy huge adverts for everyone and everything else though so willing to pay to reduce/eliminate this feature.

Any help much appreciated - I am OK at all Office applications but the Internet/web is still a bit of a mystery to me!

Thanks in advance

 

[RBS]

You need free Wordpress engine and free templates(thousands online). Get in touch with Carl here on forum, you will be up running in 10 mins with Wordpress installed - no BS, honestly 10 min Start inputing text, adding images, links to your Wordpress files or whatever you want.
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=6284

 

[Jeff FV]

Time for me to recommend (once again!) Sam's Teach Yourself HTML & CSS this will teach you all you need to know to build your own website from scratch (it ain't that difficult!) or, if you do go down the Wordpress route (which is a good route to go down!) it still may be worth owning a copy to help you understabd whats goingon and help make those little tweaks (at least to the CSS stylesheets.)

Regarding hosts, i have a couple of sites hosted by Vidahost and I can't fault them. Good tech. support, good entry level prices with ability to scale your hosting up, if it goes 'massive.'

I think you can get hosting for under £20 per year, so its probably better to pay for hosting and have it under your control, than have freebie hosting with adds etc.

HTH

Jeff

 

[Faevilangel]

Time for me to recommend (once again!) Sam's Teach Yourself HTML & CSS this will teach you all you need to know to build your own website from scratch (it ain't that difficult!) or, if you do go down the Wordpress route (which is a good route to go down!) it still may be worth owning a copy to help you understabd whats goingon and help make those little tweaks (at least to the CSS stylesheets.)

Regarding hosts, i have a couple of sites hosted by Vidahost and I can't fault them. Good tech. support, good entry level prices with ability to scale your hosting up, if it goes 'massive.'

I think you can get hosting for under £20 per year, so its probably better to pay for hosting and have it under your control, than have freebie hosting with adds etc.

HTH

Jeff

1) I used that book to get a grip on the basics, and sold it to another member who has thoroughly enjoyed the book. Learning css/ html is worthwhile as it helps you understand what is happening on the website and how to make basic changes.
2) Agreed, get a good host with 24/7 support and a good number of honest reviews. Don't go for an american "unlimited services" host as there is no such thing as unlimited.
If you're targetting the UK market, then a UK host is desirable, I would look at Vidahost (heard a lot of good things on here and other forums) or CSnewmedia. Carl from CSnewmedia is a member here and is always helpful.
3) Always build yourself if going down the diy route, don't rely on free web builders as they are more hassle than anything. Building yourself will be a chore and take a while, but you will feel so much better about yourself.

Good luck

 

[crossdaz]

Regarding hosts, i have a couple of sites hosted by Vidahost and I can't fault them. Good tech. support, good entry level prices with ability to scale your hosting up, if it goes 'massive.'

I don't have any dealings with vidahost but I've heard a few people recommending them

To the OP I would say create an account at wordpress.com and get a free blog. It won't have your domain but it's all you need and is a good way to learn the ropes.

If you get more advanced then start thinking about self-hosting your own domain - at this stage I don't think there's any point paying money for what you need?

 

[Faevilangel]

I don't have any dealings with vidahost but I've heard a few people recommending them

To the OP I would say create an account at wordpress.com and get a free blog. It won't have your domain but it's all you need and is a good way to learn the ropes.

If you get more advanced then start thinking about self-hosting your own domain - at this stage I don't think there's any point paying money for what you need?

It depends on the type of site they want, and how much hands on they want to get. wordpress.com (I believe) doesn't let you touch the css / coding until you pay a fee??

If the OP wants a basic site running then wp would be ideal, but if they wanted something more unique then going down the html route might suite them.

Horses for courses

 

[Snowgoat]

While you are researching the best solution, you can't go far wrong with setting up a site in 5 mins using gbbo dot co.uk

It's free, no hosting charges, you get a domain name for 2 years, it's backed by some respectable outfits (including Google, Enterprise UK and eskills UK) and a nice array of gadgets. I can't see any catches or downsides, but you may want to check out the Terms and Conditions for commercial use (which it's designed for).

 

[MarcusMiller]

If you only want an info site, then a free hosted blog on wordpress.com, blogger or even (although it hurts me to mention the dark empire) windows live blogs. Plenty of free solutions to cut your teeth and your host will likely allow you to redirect your domain there.

I would plumb for wordpress if you go this route as you can always export data and set up your own site down the road if it all goes well.

 

[Snowgoat]

I'm a serious WordPress enthusiast, but I would try and avoid the .com version as it's restrictive. I didn't find the export from the .com version to a self-hosted version particularly straightforward.

Go for one of the guys who offer you a self-hosted version and the sky's the limit. And the WordPress forum at wordpress dot org is invaluable.

 

[MarcusMiller]

No doubt, the self hosted version is infinitely more flexible, so if you need to bend beyond the free, then, go that route - horses for courses.

 

[PhotoshopDesigner]

Although Wordpress is pretty simple compared to designing and coding a site from scratch, but can still be a little tricky for someone that is not used doing a website, why not try something like iweb which is very straight forward?

 

[websitenewbie]

thanks everyone for the speedy replies! decided to go with vidahost and so far they are fab! £20 a year for everything i need.
just waiting for my domain name to be transferred from go daddy (grr wish i hadnt registered with them now as would have saved myself £15 in registration fees!)
I'm doing my site in word xp - honestly it meets my (simple) needs and is easy to do
thanks so much for the replies - wish i had come here first!