DIY tips on creating website & logos

O

oscarlets

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Hi Everyone
I would like to create a website for the products I am selling,I am thinking of creating the website myself although I have no tech background,I am a commerce guy but need a challenge and also one of my new year resolution is to learn to create website and program so I am trying to,I was searching the web and came across few sites that promise to teach,one how to create a website and some for logos,problem is at the end of task they want you to buy sth which I am not sure at the moment.

So which site can you recommend so I can learn to create website and another for logos?
I need free stuff as I can't afford to hire someone to do them for me.

One other thing I came across an article on entreprenuer mag SA suggesting one can use wordpress to create website and on smetoolkit they have sth called yola it also helps creating website,which one do you think its the best?

And for logo design? Any freeware you can recommend?

Ta.
 
Look at Inkscape for the logo design - very good free open source drawing program

For the basics of webdesign look at http://w3schools.com/

Start with the HTML path - basically how you layout web pages
Then look at CSS - how you apply styles and formatting to web pages
If you are still interested, read about Javascript (adding behaviour to web pages) and then PHP (scripting on the web server)

Content management systems like Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal are a free and excellent basis for a workable website as they let you manage the information in the site separately from its presentation. You will however need an understanding of HTML, CSS and possibly a little PHP to work the templates that these systems use for presentation. Artisteer is a very good commercial package that can easily create templates easily with no real knowledge of HTML/CSS required.

You can use a CMS for making a catalogue type site for your products quite easily but if you are planning on taking orders and paymets thorugh the site ie. a full e-commerce type function, that is really something you should get professional help with.
 
Check out competitors in the same field and then check out www.brandsoftheworld.com to see if your idea clashes with any of the other's out there. Nothing worse than being mistaken for another company.
 
Well, I listen/watch a lot of twit.tv podcasts and they often advertise squarespace.com which give you a free website for 2 weeks before you need to pay along with checkout options... listen to their podcasts and you can pickup a discount voucher.

fwiw
 
oscarlets said:
One other thing I came across an article on entreprenuer mag SA suggesting one can use wordpress to create website and on smetoolkit they have sth called yola it also helps creating website,which one do you think its the best?
Click to expand...

Probably stay away from Yola for a business related site. Wordpress is excellent software and very popular.

W3 Schools also have a tutorial about web hosting which you should maybe also read if you don't already know how this works and need an overview.
 
There was an article around here the other day about how an android app costs about the same as a car to develop, with the point being that there are a range of cars with a range of prices. I think websites are pretty similar. Basically anyone will be able to see that you're driving around something you made at home or maybe if you use one of those "website builders" then more of a kit car.

There's a reason for web devs having to continuously learn new things and keeping up with the latest tech etc is more than a full time job. Of course what kind of car/site you need depends on what you are selling.
 
Certainly something designed by a professional is going to be a whole other thing than a DIY effort but it's possible to create a respectable site with a bit of study and care, especially using a CMS like Wordpress or Joomla (my personal DIY tool of choice.)

If you want to learn or aren't in a sitaution where a pro design is appropriate, go for it. The tools and the information are there free on the internet. You also don't have to publish your creations to the world until you are satisfied with them.
 
WOW thank you very much everyone for the insightful suggestion and from where I am sitting I think I should enlist the help of a professional since I want customers to buy online if they want and I want the design to attract more customers and also have a good smooth mobi site,I just have to get R2500 those guys at freelance station wants and again thank you everyone.

Ta.
 
That sounds very cheap for what you say you want. Tread carefully.
 
InvisibleJim said:
That sounds very cheap for what you say you want. Tread carefully.
Click to expand...


You reckon? What budget should I have for that? Do you have names in mind I should check out their work and prices? I want really attractive website,where the designer can do just what I have in mind but I don't have enough budget since I am not sure if the site will produce immediate return.
 
I've not done an ecommerce site but 2500 sounds more like what you would pay a student for a basic site or maybe a designer for a template. I'd guestimate that a proper working professionally built online shop would probably cost you an order of magnitude more than that. I'm sure that some of the pros who frequent this forum can give you better advice on what you should be looking at.

If you are on a low budget and want to test the waters without too much risk, have you looked at selling your wares online through Kalahari or maybe Amazon as a third party seller?
 
InvisibleJim said:
I've not done an ecommerce site but 2500 sounds more like what you would pay a student for a basic site or maybe a designer for a template. I'd guestimate that a proper working professionally built online shop would probably cost you an order of magnitude more than that. I'm sure that some of the pros who frequent this forum can give you better advice on what you should be looking at.

If you are on a low budget and want to test the waters without too much risk, have you looked at selling your wares online through Kalahari or maybe Amazon as a third party seller?
Click to expand...

Yes but I want to be able to market the product and direct customers straight to the website,on kalahari and others it will be difficult as there are so many distraction with many products on display. but I have requested quotes from various web designers and developers and hope for the best when they reply,anyways thank you for your suggestions I appreciate the effort.
 
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