I need to create a website, advice needed

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thomask

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Hi,

A family member asked me to create a website for them. I'm not a website programmer but i know my way around a computer and I've seen a few website creation tools online. Have any of you perhaps used these online website creation services such as Wix.com / squarespace / sitecube / silex and would you recommend any of them? I see some are free and some you have to pay for. Free would be better at the moment seeing that the website will only showcase some arts and crafts. And do you perhaps know of local alternatives to these services? In the future we might also look at adding online purchasing options to the website – what would be the best way to accomplish this?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
 
I've had family members use wix and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. It'll get the job done but probably won't be terribly impressive or inspire a great deal of confidence. Afrihost Bronze Home package is R29 and you can use their website builder and also setup a shopping cart there.

If you find there website builder daunting, then you could always buy a template from elsewhere fill in your details and just upload the html and related files. :)
 
thomask said:
Hi,

A family member asked me to create a website for them. I'm not a website programmer but i know my way around a computer and I've seen a few website creation tools online. Have any of you perhaps used these online website creation services such as Wix.com / squarespace / sitecube / silex and would you recommend any of them? I see some are free and some you have to pay for. Free would be better at the moment seeing that the website will only showcase some arts and crafts. And do you perhaps know of local alternatives to these services? In the future we might also look at adding online purchasing options to the website – what would be the best way to accomplish this?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Are you prepared to look after it as well ? Websites need to be updated, new products, images, content added, price updates for shopping cards etc.

I have seen many people doing a favor for a friend family member not realizing what they let them in for.
 
Just use Bluehost and buy a domain and hosting and then install Wordpress and save yourself all the drama in the world.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Just use Bluehost and buy a domain and hosting and then install Wordpress and save yourself all the drama in the world.
Click to expand...

Would you recommend bluehost over Afrihost or another South African service? I'm probably going to have to choose hosting for the first time in the near future.
 
Viva said:
Would you recommend bluehost over Afrihost or another South African service? I'm probably going to have to choose hosting for the first time in the near future.
Click to expand...


I haven't seen any of the locals offering such automation or such a good price.

Afrihost don't offer anything like it at all from what I know.
 
SauRoNZA said:
I haven't seen any of the locals offering such automation or such a good price.

Afrihost don't offer anything like it at all from what I know.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check it out in more detail.

If anyone else wants to make a hosting recommendation, feel free!
 
WereRabbit said:
I've had family members use wix and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. It'll get the job done but probably won't be terribly impressive or inspire a great deal of confidence. Afrihost Bronze Home package is R29 and you can use their website builder and also setup a shopping cart there.

If you find there website builder daunting, then you could always buy a template from elsewhere fill in your details and just upload the html and related files. :)
Click to expand...

Great, thanks! I'll have a look at afrihost 's offerings. Would you say their website creation tools are better than Wix or very similar but cheaper?
 
moklet said:
Are you prepared to look after it as well ? Websites need to be updated, new products, images, content added, price updates for shopping cards etc.

I have seen many people doing a favor for a friend family member not realizing what they let them in for.
Click to expand...

I don't think there will be many changes made to the website in the future. Maybe once a year. But I agree with you, I made it clear that I'm not going to be updating it once every two weeks.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Just use Bluehost and buy a domain and hosting and then install Wordpress and save yourself all the drama in the world.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check it out. Would I still be able to have an online store that accepts Rands?

Regarding Wordpress, I had a look at it ages ago and it seemed as if you needed coding skills to change the look and feel of templates. Is that still the case or do they now have newer, easier tools available?
 
thomask said:
Thanks, I'll check it out. Would I still be able to have an online store that accepts Rands?

Regarding Wordpress, I had a look at it ages ago and it seemed as if you needed coding skills to change the look and feel of templates. Is that still the case or do they now have newer, easier tools available?
Click to expand...

No idea about the store part.

You would need some merchant about and store plugin.

Wordpress is plugin and theme based, so unless you want some weird customisation not supported by the defaults you should be fine.

You so sound somewhat out of your depth though.
 
thomask said:
Hi,

A family member asked me to create a website for them. I'm not a website programmer but i know my way around a computer and I've seen a few website creation tools online. Have any of you perhaps used these online website creation services such as Wix.com / squarespace / sitecube / silex and would you recommend any of them? I see some are free and some you have to pay for. Free would be better at the moment seeing that the website will only showcase some arts and crafts. And do you perhaps know of local alternatives to these services? In the future we might also look at adding online purchasing options to the website – what would be the best way to accomplish this?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There are plenty of online builders - I have used Yola like 6 years ago, and Weebly.

WordPress isn't too bad, you just install the software (follow the instructions), get a template, mix in a few plugins and it should give you what you want :) I run my blog using WordPress and a few plugins :)

As for hosting, I would also recommend having a look at EliteHost - they prices are quite good and their payment options / cylces are quite nice.
 
As far as website is concerned i would suggest using wordpress.It is much better than wix and there are thousands of templates.i could give you some guidance on that.also i can help you with hosting pm for more info.Peace
 
Personally I think WordPress would be a good solution but as stated above you need as a bit of coding know-how time change certain aspects to exactly how you want it. WiX and Sitey are cool but certain aspects make it unappealing, like there huge footers and various other feature, but I always tell people to start out either Facebook if you don't have a page and start from there.

Then again it all depends what point of the site is...To just view info (static website) or to sell products or engage with customers.
 
sign up with elitehost, the basic package is R35 a month, and your cpanel access will include tons of free software that you just click to install, you dont have to download packages etc, its really just a simple click and everything is automated.
 
lived666 said:
sign up with elitehost, the basic package is R35 a month, and your cpanel access will include tons of free software that you just click to install, you dont have to download packages etc, its really just a simple click and everything is automated.
Click to expand...

This !!!
 
Why not buy a template? Friend can then just pick what they like and you just then edit it?

If it's for a business, buying is definitely the way to go if you want it to look professional and avoid paying a web dev.
 
Web design and development company www.webplacement.co.za

If its for business and would like to save yourself alot of time aswell as searching through various templates have a look at Webplacement. Webplacement offers a variety of products that would come handy to any new business e.g Corporate Identity (Logo, business cards, letterheads etc) all to match a website designed and developed by them, very reasonable turn around time and pricing

www.webplacement.co.za - helping you show off in style

Get the corporate look you have always desired , the same look that will keep your clients coming back.........
 
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