I am looking to make a site for my business. Currently I have been just posting and using Blogger as well as Facebook but I would really like a site. I do not have the funds to pay someone to do it. Anyone know of good open sources I can use? Where to learn and begin? I already have a domain
If you have a domain you're going to need hosting. There are several. I have my own dedicated server(s) that I use for my site and other projects, some I 've heard good things about are 1and1, layeredtech (they might only do dedicated these days -- not sure) and Dreamhost if you want bad customer service and tons of overselling. As far as making the site yourself -- unless you're VERY artistically designed and well versed in webdesign and how a site needs to fit together -- you're going to be very lost and confused and frustrated. I built my site myself and even though I've been working on sites on the side for a few years I was still finding myself pretty aggravated. If you're determined, find tutorials on HTML, CSS and PHP. With those 3 languages you can build a very clean site that should do everything you need it to. If you want to get into things like fancy web galleries you might need some MYSQL experience which is on of the areas I'm most proficient in. IF you find a free template online people will know it. It looks tacky, cheap and is considered a huge no-no if you're serious about your business. The same goes for "free" hosting sites that put ANY kind of ad on your webpage. Any kind of ad on a businesses website is greatly frowned upon. Hope this helps!
Hi, I took a Photoshop class at nmy local high school, I don't know if you have PS or know anything about it? but to make the acutal website is very easy! Here is the link for the class and tutorial. Maybe a local art student can do one cheap to gain some experenice? Photoshop-fix.com
One really easy way to get a website is to use blogging software like Wordpress. You can download endless design templates, and they look better than a template for just some website. Each vehicle you detail can be a blog post, if you will. And with blogging software, you just edit your pages right there on the web, so there's not much need to learn web development. If you want to play around with it, you can get a free account on wordpress.com. If you like it, when you sign up for web hosting, make sure they offer Wordpress as a software package. They pretty much all do anymore.
