Advice on creating a website.

[EddieWalker]

I'm a Contractor and want to create a website to provide future clients a place to learn about me and see pictures of some projects that I've done. I have an address that I paid for on godaddy.com but declined to buy their hosting service. It just didn't seem like what I wanted.

What I want is an interesting question. I'm thinking of a home page with my information. Who I am, how to contact me and a couple of pictures. Maybe a graphic the will be my symbol. I don't have a symbol, but probably should have something. When I get this done, I'll have to reprint my business cards, so I'll work on that too.

I think that having a link to my pictures by category on the home page would be best. Put it all up there on that page, and then let people go to the group of pictures that interests them. There should be a way to add comments to the pictures.

Then I'd want it to be easy for me to add pictures and comments. I'd want to be able to add ALLOT of pictures. That's the most important part of the website. Pictures sell.

I think this should be easy, but don't know where to begin the search. I don't know what I'm looking at, or what to even ask for. I know nothing and don't know anybody who has done this.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[DieselPower]

I'll see if I can give you a little help from personal experience. I have my site storage hosted through Valueweb. Web Hosting Services for Business and Ecommerce from ValueWeb They host or store all of my website data, pictures and so on. They also provide my email accounts, website access logs (very informative how people find and navigate your site). I created the site myself using free website design/managment programs you can download online. I use one called NVU NVU to do all the design and most of the uploading of data and one called FileZilla SourceForge.net: FileZilla to manage files. The NVU one is rather simple if you have some basic computer knowledge, read the users manual and help function. For me I found the Filezilla made managing files and pictures easier. I had mine created and uploaded (a couple of hundred pages) in about 2 days.

 

[CurlyDave]

Eddie:

A web site is going to be an enormous time sink. Especially if you are going to create and maintain it on a Windows computer.

Think about hiring someone local to do it for you.

My daughter went to art school in graphic design for 4 years and one of the things she does is design web sites. She can do things in one hour that take me days...

Make up a paper mockup of what you want and take it to someone where you can sit down with them and talk about it.

I am a Mac guy, it is a lot easier on a Mac, and I have thought about doing one for our church. But then I realize I don't have the time, even though I am retired. Maybe in a year or so I will take a course in web design at the community college and then volunteer for the church website.

 

[DieselPower]

I did mine on a windows system and had over 250 pages up in less than 48 hours. I just used the same basic page design throughout and in my case changed the product text and pictures on each. I was a copy/pasting fool.

 

[jgrreed]

Hey Eddie,

I think this should be easy, but don't know where to begin the search. I don't know what I'm looking at, or what to even ask for. I know nothing and don't know anybody who has done this.

I thought so too....but.....

I haven't had to make one for myself yet, but have tried a couple just to play, and guided a few friends through setting them up for their businesses. My opinion at the end of it all is that the time spent vs. cost vs. quality of work equation pushes me to hiring it out. A friend of mine is part of a company that makes sites, and for about $1000 his company can make a very nice, very functional site that you don't have to spend 10's (or 100's) of hours building and maintaining.

Your site might be a customers first look at your business, and will give them their first impression of you. I don't know how you feel, but a website that is either sloppy or difficult to navigate is a real turn-off for me, and will usually result in me looking elsewhere.

Here's a truely homemade site for a Buddy's Heli company (this took Brad something like 40 hours to build):

Peregrine Helicopters

Here's a semi-pro build for my BIL's company (done by a friend that builds sites as a side business):

Welcome to TazzyKats.com | TazzyKats.com

Here's an example of a pro level site done by my friend Mike's company:

Kootenay Helicopters

Here's the web design companies site:

Adhere Creative - Birmingham based Web design, video and online systems | Creative Media | Web design and online systems in Birmingham, UK

The 1000$ estimate is for an easy site, and is a ballpark.

-Jer.

 

[weldingisfun]

Try reading this, Eddie, it may be useful. Howstuffworks "How Web Pages Work"
I have created a few Websites over the years, here are a couple you can look at to see what I have done.
Walking H Boer Goats This one is my wife's and mine. As you can see we raise goats.
Modern Day Knights I made this one for my son.
I prefer to use Basic HTML, that means using the basic codes. HTML stands for hypertext markup language.
Jgrreed is probably correct with his estimate of $1000. I normally charge $750for a basic Website that also includes registering the Domain Name and setting up Hosting for one year.
Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[alchemysa]

Build your own. Its the only way you'll get what you want, and be able to update it whenever you want to. But don't get carried away or you'll waste way too much time on it. A business like yours only needs a very, very simple site. I built my own quite complicated site using Go-live, but I wouldnt recommend that to anyone. Its way too hard for most people. There are now much simpler ways to get on-line. Start simple and learn as you go.

Look at some of the free 'blog' packages. They let you upload pics and blurb. For a few dollars extra I think you can even use your own domain name. Other sites offer cheap webspace and free on-line website building tools using standard designs. Try-out their free trial offers.

But if you are just wanting to upload pics and words I'd investigate the 'blog' type of website first.

Edit. A quick google search will locate googles 'blogger' site.
https://www.blogger.com/start
You can create free sites like this....
http://mousemedicine.blogspot.com/

 

[circlelake]

Hi Eddie,
Here's a link for Microsoft's Office Live Small Business. Its free as you would not need e-commerce. There is also a Office Live for personnal use.
If you want to create a web page yourself the best way is to surf the web and use someone else's design that you like and incorporate that into your site. The office live site will have templates that you can use/modify for the entire web site. I think you have the right idea on what you want to publish. The best way is to create a office live account and give it a try. Doesn't cost a cent and it's not hard to create a site.
If you put any email addresses on the site use one like info@yourdomain.com. Do not use your good email address as spammers are picking up these addresses. If you have any other questions I can help you with let me know.
If you want me to critique your site I could do that also. I use the term KISS in my line of work. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/products/office/microsoft-office-live/default.aspx#overview

By the way.
I have seen many posts by you and like the way you think.
Good Luck
Tom

 

[mjfox6]

I use Web Hosting:IX WEB HOSTING:Best Web Hosting Site:Webhosting Provider to host my site and FileZilla - The free FTP solution to transfer files. I designed the site myself using Mozilla.org - Home of the Mozilla Project.

 

[AlanB]

Well, the info is all over the map so I will throw in my 2 cents as well.

Hanna's Landscaping / lawncare company

* Hanna Bechard * A Woman's Touch * Clarksville * TN * Landscaping * Lawncare * Patios * Ponds *

Done by my BIL that does this type stuff as a hobby and now as an occupation.

I think it was Curly that hit it on the head for my situation

Big Time sink

Find someone local to do the "writing"

You do it on paper, they make the Website look like what you want.

Wish my BIL was closer (Germany) we have been "updating" our site for the past year and just never get it done, I will send you the preview site on PM.
At least for me, it takes more time then I want to spend on it, would rather spend my time making equipment make noise.

The Pictures are why we started. We use too lose 3 or 4 "picture books" of work a year and it was a pain.

Now the folks go to the website, say they want a "retaining wall" find the style they like, and then tell Hanna the picture # so they are both speaking off the same sheet of music. More then once there have been landscapes planned over the phone, while both parties were at their own home looking at our website.

Oh, and added on edit, think about your business and have pages to help them find what they want, kind of like lowes has things segregated would be my suggestion. Kitchens, baths, etc. etc.

Also, I would NOT let people comment on my site, you may find yourself spending more time cleaning up ludicrous postings and spam and childish crud then it would be worth too me.

Have them e-mail you.

The other intriquing part too me, that I never thought would happen is the amount of direct business that our website generates. Especially with our location, we regularly get calls from Afghanistan and Iraq asking for the lawn at XYZ 123 street to be taken care of. Checks in the mail, and digital pic back and forth verifying completion of work. I joked about how stupid it would be when we first started it (10 + years back) and have had too eat my words on how effective it has been.

Good luck.

I would see if your daughter has the interest, or someone at the HS computer class.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you everyone for your advice and links. Looks like I have some homework to do!!!

One thing that I have in my favor is I'm booked up with Jobs into May and the phone is still ringing. I'm not advertising in any way, just word of mouth from previous clients. There is no real reason for this except that I feel it's something that I should have. If it takes me six months to figure it out, that's fine. If it's beyond me and I need to hire it done, that's good too.

I went to a Business Expo today with the hope of finding somebody there who builds websites. No luck.

There is one company here that seems to have some nice looking sites and design ideas. so that's always an option, or Plan B.

I also have some yard signs that I give to clients when I finish a job for them. Some will keep them up for months, others leave them up for a few weeks. These have been great for other jobs in those same neighborhoods. I have a bunch of pics and some information on a blog that has worked really well.

Eddie Walker 903-530-3884 License No. 35524

As you can see, this is impossible to remember. It's also several pages long and the only way to see it all is to just keep going and going from page to page.

www.edwardwalker.net is my new address. This is much easier to remember. People driving by and seeing my sign can remember it. One day I'll also sign my truck and put this address on there.

I've looked at the sites from the Private Messages and I'm impressed. Thank you for mailing me the links.

Eddie

 

[LMTC]

Edward? EDWARD? Who the heck is Edward? snicker....

 

[marimus]

I would be very wary dealing with godaddy in general, not just for hosting.

I had several domains registered with them, which they basically held to ransome due to a billing error in thier system.

They claimed my credit card provider issued a chargeback for a domain purchase (2 years after it was paid for). And they shutdown all of my domains untill I paid up, plus a reversal fee, plus $50 per domain for reinstatement.

After about 20 hours on the phone, faxing bank records, etc etc they eventually admitted that there was probably never a chargeback, but they couldn't reeinstate my accounts untill I paid up in full, including the original fee plus the reversal fee plus $50.

I was so sick of dealing with them at this point, that I just paid up for one of the domains, and left the others.

They have since stolen all of the domains they held me to ransome for, and now they are full of spam links - and registered to godaddy

 

[dfkrug]

Peregrine Helicopters

Good examples, JER. The above page is simple, informative, and not
over-blown. I like it.

Eddie:

If I can just add yet another $.02.....

As a DIY kinda guy, you might want to consider something that is easy
enough to create AND EDIT yourself. Something that requires you buy
no software and hire no web design gurus. You may already have the
tools. Many ISPs offer online tools to create a website, and the tools are
so simple that the learning curve is less than an hour. If you want a
fancier page with animations, sound, etc. you can always do that later,
with your favorite expert or with off-the-shelf software.

My new ISP is Verizon and their tool allows me to create a quick-and-dirty
page in an hour or two, including editing my pix. JER's example above
could be done in an hour or two. Verizon gives me only 5 or 10 MB of space
without paying more, but I could easily buy many MB of space. Even AOL
had FTP space 16 yr ago when I first became a customer. AOL recently
dropped their web space for users, but Verizon's is WAY easier to use.
My super-simple website linked below took just an hour or so, and it takes
only 5 minutes to change and re-post.

CIRCLELAKE mentioned MS Office. Even MS Word allows you to convert any
document (with photos, links) into HTML for upload to some server.

 

[DieselPower]

I still say do it yourself. The main thing to keep in mind is KEEP IT SIMPLE. Personally I hate flashy over designed sites. A business site should be simple and to the point. Customers shouldn't have to navigate endless amounts of pages to get the information they came there looking for. With all the free do it yourself site design programs available you might be supprised just how easy it is to make your own site. I would suggest you give it a swing yourself first. If you find it's to hard you can always hire a company to do it for you.

My site is basic and to the point. It shouldn't take a user more than 3 clicks to get to a specefic product they are looking for. Texas Refinery Corp. Specialty Lubricants and Greases TRC

 

[jk96]

Eddie you mentioned photos were important. You might take a look at

FotoPlayer - Flash photo Gallery Software

its a free flashed based program with a ton of different templates and customization options for your website. You can link to it from your homepage, customize your background to match your website, add text, music, etc etc and is pretty easy to update and add new pictures as needed.

Here's a link to the photo page for my fireworks website using fotoplayer

Aerial FX Photo Album

 

[Sigarms]

Maybe a graphic the will be my symbol. I don't have a symbol, but probably should have something.

Take your time while creating your company logo.

Remember, you want your customers to think of your business when they see your logo.

Some guys can really get overly created and it gets to "jumbled" (hopeing that it's really draws attention, which sometimes does not work), and some are on the other end of the spectrum with their name, and and say for contracting, a hammer/saw or ladder.

Yard signs, business cards, proposals, vehicles, websites and company paperwork should have the logo.

You don't want to create a logo, then six months come up with another idea that you think is better and change it. Then again, you don't want a logo that you don't like, but have it on all "business tools", kicking yourself because you can't change it, or stuck with it for the time being.

Be creative on the color of your vehicle and see if you can make it unique somehow which is both pleasing to the eye, stands out somehow, but also includes the information about yourself. I had one customer who was a tin smith/sheet metal fabricator that had a F-350 done in a very interseting purple (actually a nice looking color) with a custom ladder rack (painted the same color as well). He had a very nice looking tin man put on both sides of the truck that caught your eye (the silver on purple worked really well when you saw it). The money he put in that vehicle was well spent for the amount of new customers who called him when they saw his truck.

 

[KentT]

Eddie, I also sent you a PM. Hope it's of value...

 

[EddieWalker]

KentT,

Yes, your PM was very informative. Thank you.

I've received quite a few PM's on this topic and appreciate the effort taken to help me out on this. I've enjoyed looking at your websites and what some of you guys do for a living or hobby. I really had no idea, so it's been a bonus for me.

I'm on total overload with all the information and will start printing out replies so I can make notes on them, then hopefully make a semi-informed decision.

Steph an I usually stay up till midnight with nothing to do but watch TV, surf the web and do a little paperwork. When it's dark outside, I have nothing but time to do something like this.

After several years, I've finally come up with a logo that's clean, simple and easy to create for the RV Park. I have a guy cutting it out right now and hope to incorporate it into a railing that I'll be making for my gazebo.

Figuring out a logo for my remodeling business has been one of those things that has left me empty. People offer suggestions all the time, but they are all pretty much the same thing. A house or power tool. While those are part of what I do, they are also very common for just about every contractor. I don't want to make it complicated or too vague, but it should reflect what I do. No rush, just one more part of the puzzle that I'm forever working on.

I'm finishing up a bathroom remodel today and will have more before and after pictures.

Eddie

 

[MossRoad]

Eddie,
From your past posts about your business and your projects you seem to have pretty good organizational skills. I'd bet you could pick up this web stuff in a matter of minutes. It isn't that hard. Web pages are very easy to do yourself. Find a reliable hosting service. Most of them offer free website building tools which make it very easy to do yourself. If you are not satisfied with your end result, then you can look around for some help. A good place to look for help is a local community college where students will do this type of work for free, just for the experience.