Want To Build A Website

Jay123

Jay123

Jay123

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441
Hi Guys.

Im Bored ,in my 30's and want something to do in my spare time.

Im looking to build a website computer related. Not selling but information etc.

I Already have the domain and hosting for a good price.

What can you guys suggest ? Idea's? People to help me?

Many Thanks

Jason W
 
First port of call is to read up on semantic design with HTML/XHTML and CSS.

Once you've learnt the basics of HTML and CSS, you'll be able to start work on a basic framework of your site.
 
Thanks Guys,

More like Toms. But a very cut down version.

Basically. People to view some games, New graphic cards, processors stuff like that really. Maybe have a forum.

Jason
 
If it's something you'll be updating on a very regular basis, then I would suggest looking at the Content Management packages available. Some are free, some cost money.
 
iCraig said:
If it's something you'll be updating on a very regular basis, then I would suggest looking at the Content Management packages available. Some are free, some cost money.
Click to expand...

Would a CMS be any use to him right now? Some people stress so much to get a good CMS and pay for it only to find they did not really ned it. At least not right away or in the near future.
 
i wouldnt use office/word for a webpage let alone a website
(Ive not used the new office for web pages/sites but from past experience it filled the code with usless junk causing pages to almost double in size) running pages like this with the word cleanup filter would remove loads of uneeded rubbish)

I use dreamweaver - have done for years, it will take a while to get used to it but once you get used to it, its almost like using word to make a letter etc.

Forum wise there are some you could try like phpbb etc that are free to use.

Dont expect 100s of hits each day until you the site is up and running for a while and you will need to promote it..
 
If he doesn't go for a CMS he will need to keep everything very well organized. If his "filing" is all over the place managing his site will be a nightmare. Will also make it much harder to move over to a CMS if he ever feels he needs to.
 
Thanks guys,

I think the Microsoft Option wil be much more easyer on my part. Looks nice and easy , Plus i like where i can do the old style change etc.

£25 Isnt going to brake the bank. So ... Unless you guys already have a space and could recommend a service.

Jason
 
Jason,

May I suggest a quick trip to the HTML, Graphics and Programming forum.

There are some excellant guys in there, namely Augmented, iCraig, py33yn, Inquisitor (to name a few) that are always happy to advise.

The most important thing to remember when constructing a website is to make it viewable in as many web browsers as possible. The best way to do that is to hand-code standards compliant HTML/CSS (more info available at w3.org). Using the MS Office tools will most likely produce a website fit for viewing in Internet Explorer 7, but will just not work in the dozens of other browsers out there which will make around 50-60% of people turn away from your site as the types of people you are making your site for will probably have the good sense to use firefox/opera/other non I.E. browser.

If you want to go one (hundred :p) steps further, you could look at picking up PHP/MySQL as well to make a database driven website. This is highly reccomended if you plan to be updating your site often. (Disclaimer: I do NOT advise this until you know what you're talking about with HTML/CSS).

It will be a lot of work and much more time to make the website by hand, but you don't half get a good feeling when its all done and the end product is usually 100 times better than using tools like the ones in Office.

Edit: If you want to get up and running quickly, I suggest you use the Joomla CMS (www.joomla.org). Its bulky and has more features than you'll ever need, but it's relatively well coded and is cross-browser compatible. I'd only use this in the short term though while you got your coding skills together :)

HTH
Freakish_05
 
Last edited:
Thanks Matey !

Looks like its no as easy as it looks ! I have some learning to do me thinks

Any good website to get tip, general information?

Jason
 
It all depends how 'anal' you are and simply if you care or not but semantic, valid and clean code is extremely important.

By the sounds of things, it seems like a custom-made blog would be ideal for you ; it's easy to update and manage. Simply install a free blogging system like Wordpress and go to Hire a Freelancer and get a few customisations made to suit your needs. It would only cost about $50 and it'd be well worth it.

If things start getting bigger, you can customise it more and spend more money advertising etc. It's extremely possible and somewhat easy to monetise a website and make quite a bit of money.

£5 a day or such. Doesn't sound like a lot but it adds up to £150 a month for doing something you enjoy. :)
 
zain said:
Would a CMS be any use to him right now? Some people stress so much to get a good CMS and pay for it only to find they did not really ned it. At least not right away or in the near future.
Click to expand...

It's far easier to have a CMS and develop it for his exact needs over time, rather than try and shoe-horn a system in a few months down the line when his content is all over the place.
 
Jay123 said:
Thanks Matey !

Looks like its no as easy as it looks ! I have some learning to do me thinks

Any good website to get tip, general information?

Jason
Click to expand...

The best place to learn XHTML and CSS is the w3c Schools website here: www.w3schools.com

These are the people who define these web standards and their tutorials are generally very good.

The best way I have found of learning is to basically do it. Go through the XHTML tutorial and then knock up a page - could be anything. Next is to go through the CSS and again, knock up a page. CSS is definitely harder to master but a little messing around and you can come up with some great results.

One particular site I love and get CSS inspiration from is www.csszengarden.com

Here is a webpage I created this week - my first using fully valid XHTML and CSS [well, first good-looking site anyway]. It's only one page as it isn't quite finished, but you get the idea. www.aeternum.co.uk/smp/smp.html
 
Woo.. Looking on that website and i havent got a clue what there trying to teach me ! :confused:

Think im best of with the Microsoft to start with. More easyer and simple (i Hope)

Any other information is welcomed !

Thanks for your help! :D
 
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