Web-design ℅ Mac software... Where to begin?

[Cassady]

Greetings.

So I've been wanting to start spending some serious time on blogging for ages - but as is the case, 'life keeps on happening', and I'm never getting round to it. Regardless, if all works out as planned - should be able to in the next year or two...

To get things (force things) to start happening, on a bit of a whim - registered a site through GoDaddy last week. 304ZAR annually, including the "protect identity/address etc." option.

Question:

Considering that this will be a side-hobby, what would be the best way to go about creating/managing my own website/blog?

Wordpress is obviously a start - but as mentioned, I want to work from my own site.

I will need to find a host, first of all, and take things from there.
That having been done - when it comes to the actual website, do I:

A.) Pay a designer to do the initial work, and then take over?

B.) Occasionally, I receive an email about discounts on these web-design software packages, including templates, images, styles etc., - supposedly with drag-and-drop ease of use, that can create web and mobile-ready websites. Do these work? They look to average between 500-700ZAR.

C.) Teach myself, and start from scratch?

I'm not programme-knowledgeable, but I know my way around a keyboard, and could probably (at a pinch), with a few books / MOOCS, teach myself what I might need to know to start something from scratch... ( I think!?)

If A - ballpark figure on what a web-designer costs these days?
If B - learn to use the software, and then presumably good to go.
If C - probably the best, since I'm learning a new skill as well - but would the ends justify the means?

Anyone have an idea on the ballpark figures for hosting a site with enough space/storage to handle screencasts?

Huge, open-ended question - but hopefully some of the wise old greybeards here will be able to help!

 

[Hamster]

If you host the site at any popular host (serv.co.za, webafrica.co.za, probably godaddy even) make sure you choose the Linux/cPanel option. cPanel will be your sites admin interface and from there you can install WordPress and other software on your domain by clicking a button.

After that you can login to your WordPress site and upload a theme. If you want a custom theme then you'll need to get a designer but there are so many free and paid for one's available out there that I doubt you'll need to.

 

[bwana]

Have a look at Squarespace.com

 

[Cassady]

Have a look at Squarespace.com

Looks pretty comprehensive - so cool to run with sites like that? No need to reinvent the wheel etc etc?

Or would the benefit of doing it yourself, possibly due to saving monthly subscription costs etc.?

 

[Cassady]

If you host the site at any popular host (serv.co.za, webafrica.co.za, probably godaddy even) make sure you choose the Linux/cPanel option. cPanel will be your sites admin interface and from there you can install WordPress and other software on your domain by clicking a button.

After that you can login to your WordPress site and upload a theme. If you want a custom theme then you'll need to get a designer but there are so many free and paid for one's available out there that I doubt you'll need to.

Wow. That's potentially very useful. Kind of sort of know my way around Wordpress.

 

[w1z4rd]

Wow. That's potentially very useful. Kind of sort of know my way around Wordpress.

Almost any host worth their salt offers that type of functionality. So choose a good host that suites you. You will get better support at a company like elitehost.co.za

 

[bwana]

Looks pretty comprehensive - so cool to run with sites like that? No need to reinvent the wheel etc etc?

Or would the benefit of doing it yourself, possibly due to saving monthly subscription costs etc.?

I've got a number of sites in it - very easy to set up - mostly drag and drop modules. Lots of themes you can start with and customise as little or as much as you like.