Some questions about Templates

Please Help~!

[jordantheking]

Ok, im trying to make my first site. Im 15 and just opening a buisness type site, to try things out with. Im registered my .com name with godaddy.com. Im using dreamweaver to design my site. But im trying to make a template, and it aint working to well. So here are some questions for the pros!

1. Can i use Photoshop to make my template? What do i save it as so i can open it in dreamweaver?

Say this is what i have so far, on photoshop, i didnt make to much of it, just it case im doing the complete wrong thing.

2. Whats the best hosting site? thats cheap! godaddy.com?

3. Also, any good sites that offer a AWESOME free tutorial of both Photoshop and dreamweaver?

. I think thats all for now, ill probly think of more as i continue my journey to making this site.

[edited by: jatar_k at 2:05 pm (utc) on Aug. 25, 2005]
[edit reason] no links thanks [/edit]

[benihana]

Hi JTK - welcome to WebmasterWorld!

Firstly, the TOS [webmasterworld.com] here prohibit links ofthat sort, so you will need to edit yur post.

You can use photoshop to make your design, but to actually template it in DW, youll need to use the 'slice' tool to cut it up into sections, and reconstruct in HTML in DW. Aletrnatively, you can use imageready, that comes with photoshop, to export the slices in an HTML page, and then use the templating features in dreamweaver to do what youre after.

Adobe.com and Macromedia.com offer trials of PS and DW respectively.

Theres loads of cheap host about, but again, the TOS prohibit direct recommendations of any particular company. There are many other sites that discuss this kind of thing specifically.

Ben

[mdojet]

I have learned over the years about hosting is that you get what you pay for. I have been with my hosting company for 4 years and all the sites I build for people use them as well. (Not sure If Im allowed to plug that company or not so if you are interested PM me)I have had to call tech support at my hosting company and I was never on hold for more than 5minutes and they are always helpful and go above and beyond on many occasions(helping me debug a PHP script)

Another note about building a site in Photoshop...I start there to design a layout, etc but when I go to dreamweaver, I dont want my entire page to be a Picture from photoshop. Because the search engines can't index the page from a pic. I will cut out the banner and other needed graphics by slicing and then use tables in Dreamweaver to layout graphics,text, etc. Another search engine tip (from google conference in Cleveland), Some people make nav buttons in photoshop and use those on the site. Again, google doesn't read images. So what I do is make a blank button in photoshop (no text on the button) and then import that button as a background pic in my cell so I can actually type the link name right over it. Now Google can read that text and make it easier to find my other pages.

I hope this helps

[jordantheking]

Awesome... thanks alot. The only reason i need a cheap host is cause im young, and dont want to spend alot, since i dont have a large income.

But thanks. Ill try out that slicing in PS. But how do you make it HTML in dreamweaver?

Thanks alot both of you!

[mdojet]

In dreamweaver, plan your layout using Tables with cells. When you slice your pic, place each piece in each cell. Make sure your cellpadding and cellspacing are set to zero. This page is then saved as a HTML file. Use your other cells for text or whatever.
Hope this helps. If not, just let me know

Mike