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I have just purchased a domain. I don't actually have a site to go on there and I need to build one soon. I need some advice on some incredibly easy to use tools, a simple pagebuilding program and just any other useful info in terms of putting together a site as a complete amateur. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Ed
Start here: [searchengineworld.com...]
It's a good guide to starting up a web site and getting it off to a good start from the beginning. As for programs, I can't help you. I do everything from hand in Notepad. I can tell you this. Don't fall into the FrontPage trap! I'm sure some other folks around here can help you out finding a good design tool.
More advise:
Keep it simple. You're better off building a site with great information, some nice color and a logo that looks professional. Don't try to be fancy at first. If you get better at design later and want to jazz things up, fine.
Don't be afraid of whitespace. Don't try to fill in every blank spot on a page. All visitors will see is clutter, and you'll wind up looking unprofessional. Focus on making your content clear and easy to find.
Content, Content, Content! Keep on writing about whatever your would-be visitors may be interested in. Give them something that they'll want to bookmark. Design is secondary to great content, even for ecommerce sites. Think opinion, reviews, how-tos, etc.
Did I mention content yet?
Those are just a few warm-up questions. If you want decent advice you've got to provide all the information (concisely) you can.
Kaled.
For starters, your best bet is to check out the New To Web Development [webmasterworld.com] forum, especially the thread Newcomer's guide [webmasterworld.com].
Also, you you might want to read the nec plus ultra of threads about website marketing:
Successful Site in 12 Months with Google Alone - 26 steps to 15k a day. [webmasterworld.com]
Hope that gets you started. Settle down with a coffee and start reading!
I am looking to build a site as a hobbie initially that will eventually turn into a business venture if it gets off the group and succeeds. My site will be on the NFL draft and college football as a whole. I have alot of big name contacts and well respected friends who will be helping me and it will involve some names that people would be willing to pay for.
Initially my plan is build a site, gauge its success and then see how it goes. If it is a flop then I can continue with the development for fun while if it's a resounding success then I may look into make some of the information premium.
I certainly want to keep it basic. I need to get a player database, weekly columns and player rankings. I will also add various services once this basics are under way. At this point I am looking for something simple anbd effective to help me get underway!
I certainly want to keep it basic. I need to get a player database, weekly columns and player rankings. I will also add various services once this basics are under way. At this point I am looking for something simple anbd effective to help me get underway!
This isn't exactly "basic." There's nothing complex about maintaining a database, but it's not as simple as just building webpages. I suggest you look into some sort of script to manage your player database. A script for running a store, classified ads, or similar could be very nicely adapted into a player database.
For the weekly articles, you'll need a content management system (CMS). I only have experience with one CMS, which I don't recommend for a purpose such as yours. Do a Google search for "open source content management" or similar terms and see what you can find. I'm sure other people here would have other suggestions as well.
You also say you're going to add "various services" as things get going. But, this is the time to think about what those services will be and how you're going to integrate them.
It sounds to me like you're working on a very robust system that is going to require significant planning ahead of time. Depending on your available startup funds, it might be worth your while to pay a consultant to help you get started. If you have a few thousand dollars to throw at the site, you might even want to just hire a programmer to do the scripts custom-made for you. If you can't afford that now, you may be better off just going for content right now and leaving the fancier stuff until later.
I agree with your point about forgetting the services. Right now I am gathering a team or experts together and we are going to get some pre-season rankings and previews (content) done. I will work on profiles and a database as the season progresses. Some essential information will not be released until later in the year (official forty times, heights, weights etc...) so I think I can leave that for at least a few months. Right now I am working to a deadline to build the site ready for the new season.
Thanks for the content info
I am still not 100% on what sites/programmes should be used to build the site. Are there any page building ones you would recommend. I see that alot of people dislike the Microsoft software.
